By Connie Adair
Lawrence Park
458 Blythwood Rd. (Blythwood Road and Bayview Avenue)
Asking price: $7.85-million
Taxes: $31,001 (2011)
Bedrooms: 4+1
Bathrooms: 8
MLS# C2236272
Lawrence Park has a secret, and this property is it, says listing agent Janice Rennie of Chestnut Park Real Estate.
Appearing to be a traditional 50-foot wide lot, the property “quickly widens to 100 feet, a long private tree-lined lane unfolding to an almost one-acre lot. No other lots compare to it in Lawrence Park,” Ms. Rennie says.
A built-in three-car garage is set behind the house, hidden from the street. “To the right is a pool and spa, and behind that is an outdoor bar and entertaining centre. Beyond that is a children’s play area and at the base of the property is a spring-fed pond with a bridge over it. The pond is stocked with koi.”
Related
In summer, the backyard provides a park-like setting. A little house near the pond is occupied by a duck family, Ms. Rennie says. In winter, the frozen pond is used as a hockey rink. The backyard also has a cabana near the pool and a year-round mosaic glass-tiled hot tub.
The “100% stone house” is built in the style of a French manor house, Ms. Rennie says. “The husband said to his wife, ‘This is your opportunity to build a house and you can literally have anything you want in it. It’s up to you.’ ”
The lady of the house consulted a feng shui expert and hired Richard Wengle to design it and Sherwood Homes to build it.
At agent open houses, Ms. Rennie says her colleagues have been “blown away” by the efficient and well-planned kitchen. It has custom cabinetry, marble counters, a built-in lazy susan in a work island and two food preparation areas. A six-burner gas stove, a built-in steamer, a warming drawer and hot and cold filtered water are features.
Double doors lead to a covered dining terrace that has a built-in wine fridge and a built-in barbecue area.
The pantry is outfitted with a dumbwaiter so food can be easily transported from the garage. The pantry also has an extra fridge and freezer. “It looks more like a kitchen in a small house than a pantry,” says Ms. Rennie, who has co-listed the property with Julie Rennie and Katie Rennie.
The master suite has a fireplace, a morning room with a writing desk and his and her dressing rooms and bathrooms. Two of the children’s bedrooms are linked by a loft.
A family room, an office and a wine room are other highlights. The home also has a dog room with a shower/tub and a dog door to a dog run.
Other features of the four-year-old home include a geothermal heating and cooling system, an irrigation system, a fully automated security system with cameras and a water filtration system.