Williams-Kitney House

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Township of Tecumseth, County of Simcoe

Location: 4964 Concession 7

Asking price: $950,000

Size: about 2,280 sq. ft.

Lot: seven acres, double car garage/workshop, hobby barn

Taxes: $5,342.03 (2011)

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

In 1850, the Williams-Kitney House was built on an expansive and lush seven-acre lot, which now sits across from a golf club in Tecumseth, about an hour drive from Toronto. It was architecturally styled as one of the earliest types of Regency Cottage, known for being an impressive bungalow popular with England’s upper class with a large wide wraparound veranda as its trademark.

“In 35 years of experience selling real estate in Ontario, the Williams-Kitney house and grounds represent the most unique real estate property I have marketed,: says real estate agent John Jesson.

“Research suggests the house, which was historically designated in 1990, was designed by architect John Howard, the original owner of Colborne Lodge in High Park. The landscaping — with its stunning mature trees planted by the original owners — presents a remarkable park-like setting and there are very few houses in this architectural style in all of Canada.

“Situated on rolling hills, this is the ideal rural retreat. Just 10 minutes west on Highway 88 from Highway 400, this estate sits opposite the Club at Bond Head, perfect for those who want to combine golf with their weekends out of the city,” Jesson says.

“This historic home is ripe with the personal history of its previous owners. It is said that a window pane was marked with a diamond in commemoration of a wedding, and with close inspection, the marking is still visible.”

In the 1930s the kitchen and sunroom were added and part of the enormous veranda was reconstructed as a sitting room and powder room.

There is a visitor’s cottage and a small barn on the property.

Double front doors open to the large expansive living room with an original fireplace and parquet wooden floor. The dining room also features a parquet floor. The home has three bedrooms, all with parquet floors. Two bedrooms boast original fireplaces.

From the dining room, French doors open to the kitchen and breakfast room. The breakfast area is bright with two walls of windows.

The four-piece main washroom has been updated and modernized with a ceramic-tile floor, a claw-foot tub and rich brown-toned ceramic wall tile and granite counters.

There is another double door opening from the side veranda to a sitting area that also features an original fireplace. On the opposite side of the house, a single door opens from the veranda to an enclosed sitting room which can be accessed through double doors from one of the bedrooms. From the sitting room, there is access to the laundry room and a powder room.

“The Williams-Kitney house is second in importance only to the Sir Frederick Banting residence in New Tecumseth,” says Lori Whittimore, historical researcher for New Tecumseth.

To have a look at this property, contact listing agent John Jesson, Jesson Associates Realty Inc., 519-741-4500; jjesson@jesson.ca.

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