Rich, ornate woodwork immediately envelopes you the moment you step into the stately home’s main hallway.
The sitting room’s focal point is a wood burning fireplace set in a hand-carved oak surround and original tile hearth and trim.
The four-season sunroom is filled with natural light courtesy of the 12 windows that surround it.
The spacious, well-lit kitchen possesses all kinds of modern function.
No matter what street you might drive or walk down as you wander about the city, there always seems to be one home that has a commanding presence that draws your eye to it.
One such home is 40 East Gate in Armstrong’s Point.
The moment you glimpse it, the two-and-a-half storey home jumps out at you, its white-pillared covered front entrance popping on a red brick exterior that features limestone accents on the corners of the home for good measure.
Glen Williams of the Glen Williams Team says there’s a reason why the 4,655 square-foot home has such a distinguished look to it.
“It’s actually known as the Aime Bernard Residence,” he says. “It was built in 1912 for Bernard, who owned the Frontenac Hotel on Pioneer Street at the time. He had it designed for him by architect George W. Northwood, who was also Assiniboia’s member of the Legislative Assembly.”
Because Bernard was so prosperous, the home was built to the nines.
Today’s equivalent of a top-end luxury home, it was built for the princely sum of $24,000, and came with some hard-to-come-by design features.
“Rumour is that the limestone on the corners of the home came from the Legislature courtesy of the Kelly brothers, who were the contractors for the legislative buildings,” notes Williams. “As impressive as the home is outside, it’s even more impressive inside.”
Just as today’s high-end luxury homes separate themselves from other homes by dint of the quality of their finishes, 40 East Gate separated itself from other homes in the area in the same manner.
In this instance, the home’s woodwork separated from pretty much every home on the street, says Williams.
“The moment you step inside you’re surrounded by gorgeous woodwork, from wainscoting on the walls, to door trim, crown molding, window trim and original hardwood floors. The woodwork is just top level. It would have been done by a furniture maker, not a carpenter.”
That rich, intricate woodwork dominates no matter where you are in the home, whether you’re in the foyer, which greets you with a wonderful combination of wainscoted walls, ceilings framed by gorgeous crown molding – and well-preserved doors and door trim that look like new.
No matter which room you wander into on either side of the hallway that runs down the center of the home, you’re enveloped in a warm ambiance that’s derived from all the woodwork that surrounds you.
“Take the sitting room to the left,” he says. “You’re surrounded by beautiful wainscoting, and its focal point, a working wood burning fireplace, is set in a hand-carved oak surround with original tile trim and hearth. There’s also a beautiful sunroom that can be accessed by going through a doorway to the right of the fireplace.”
Then, there’s the formal dining room across the way on the other side of the hall.
“Again, gorgeous woodwork is everywhere, from a beamed ceiling to wainscoted walls to wood trimmed windows. The woodwork and crystal chandelier really take you back in time.”
Walk through a well-placed doorway on the dining room’s left-hand wall, and you find, much to your pleasure, a thoroughly modern kitchen.
“There’s a spacious, family-sized kitchen with an eating area, breakfast bar, island and loads of counter and cabinet space,” Williams says. “It also comes with a walk-in pantry and a four burner Wolf gas range.”
Ascend to the home’s second floor via a magnificent, hand-crafted oak staircase, and you find three huge bedrooms, including an expansive primary bedroom.
“It was beautifully renovated, with its focal point being a bedroom that was converted into a luxurious ensuite. It offers a large dressing area, spacious closets and a spectacular ensuite with original hardwood flooring and a beautiful walk-in shower with tile surround.”
Meanwhile, the third floor holds three more bedrooms and a four-piece bath with an original tile floor and restored clawfoot tub.
The expansive home’s lower level — which comes with a seven-foot ceiling — offers more livable space with a rec room with games and workout areas, hobby rooms and plenty of storage space.
“This is a beautiful home from top to bottom,” he says. “Whoever buys it will love old homes — it has so much character. Not only that, but it’s also outstandingly straight, solid and livable. It’s one of the most distinguished homes in Armstrong’s Point.”
lewys@mymts.net
Location: 40 East Gate, Armstrong’s Point
Year Built: 1912
Style: 2.5 storey
Size: 4,655 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: six
Bathrooms: four
Price: $889,900
Contact: Glen Williams, The Glen Williams Team, 204-800-0462
