TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
Built in 2020, the cleverly designed infill home offers a seamless blend of luxury and livability in a mature, central location.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
The lower level is fully finished and features a rec room with a play space, laundry area and a sauna to enjoy on chilly winter days.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
A series of large, staggered south-facing windows allow natural light to filter into both the upper level and main floor.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
Style and luxury abounds in the ensuite with a walk-in shower, freestanding soaker tub and hex-tile floor.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
A gorgeous tray ceiling adds style and volume to the bright and pleasingly spacious primary bedroom.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
Unlike most century-plus-old River Heights classics, the home’s main living area is bright, open and exceptionally user-friendly.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
Cosy and filled with character, the living room was set next to a beautiful bay window and gas fireplace with tile surround and classic mantel.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
Entertaining is a breeze in the intelligently designed dining/kitchen area.
Designing an infill home on a compact infill lot is no simple task.
With just a modest amount of real estate to work with, the home’s design must be spot on, maximizing space in every area while still delivering style.
Val Miller of Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate says her new listing at 316 Centennial St. in North River Heights was well-planned in every aspect of its design.
“First of all, it possesses tons of charm and curb appeal that comes from a stone exterior set off nicely by windows with black trim that contrast perfectly with the stone,” she says of the 1,496-sq.-ft. residence, which is just five years old. “It has a covered entrance, and a bay window next to the front door is a nice stylistic touch.”
Take the eight-foot entrance inside, and you quickly realize you’re in a modern River Heights classic — and then some — after taking a quick look around.
Instead of walking into a modest, utilitarian foyer, you find yourself surrounded by space, light and style.
“Because the main floor is totally modern in its design, it’s bright and open,” Miller says. “There’s a double-high ceiling above you, and a striking white-oak staircase right in front of you.”
As it turns out, that’s just the start of a very livable, user-friendly design.
“As gorgeous as the staircase is, it looks even better because it’s bordered by five large, staggered windows that let in tons of natural light from the south,” Miller says. “That light filters into both the lower and upper levels. You don’t get that design feature in many, if any classic River Heights homes.”
The same sentiment applies to the adjacent main living area, which flows beautifully from front to back with no walls in the way to disrupt traffic or light flow.
“It starts off with a lovely living room with a cantilevered entertainment unit with gas fireplace and an elegant tile surround set with light sconces set in trim on either side that speaks to the décor found in older River Heights homes,” she notes. “There’s room for a TV on the mantel, and the bay window adds space and style.”
Next comes the dining area and kitchen, a pair of well-defined spaces that function as well as they look.
“The thought put into the design of both spaces was amazing,” Miller says. “The dining area can seat anywhere from six to 10 guests and has a cantilevered area on its side wall that’s a perfect place for a sideboard that can be used when entertaining. There’s plenty of room.”
Then there’s the kitchen, which was carved in neatly behind the splendid dining area.
“It’s a chef’s dream,” Miller says. “It offers quartz countertops, soft-close maple cabinets, a custom hood fan, stainless-steel appliances and an island with a breakfast bar that seats three.”
The efficient floor plan doesn’t end there.
“There’s also a convenient two-piece bath by the landing area at the back, which also has a door that provides access to a great feature — a double attached garage.”
Take the stylish staircase upstairs, and you find a family-friendly second level.
“What stands out is the size of the bedrooms,” Miller says. “Both secondary bedrooms are a good size, with one being 10-by-nine feet, and the other 13-by-nine feet. They were set at the end of the hall to the left of the stairs to separate them nicely from the primary bedroom. I love how all the big, staggered windows on the side wall let in so much natural light.”
As fine as the two secondary bedrooms and well-appointed main bath are, they pale in comparison to the primary bedroom.
Not only is it larger than expected at an impressive 11-by-17 feet, it’s also more luxurious.
“Its tray ceiling is just its first luxurious touch,” Miller says, noting the streamlined walk-in closet also offers plenty of storage space. “The ensuite is awesome with its hexagonal-tile floor and walk-in shower and freestanding soaker tub that have a marble-style backdrop. It’s nice to have both a shower and tub. Many ensuites don’t, so it’s a nice bonus.”
Add in a fully-finished lower level with rec room and play/exercise area — plus a sauna to enjoy on chilly winter days — and you have a like-new, turnkey home that lacks nothing.
“If you’re looking for a brand-new home, I’d take a close look at this one,” Miller says. “It’s like-new, and is close to everything in one of the city’s most central and desirable neighbourhoods. It offers a perfect combination of luxury and modern living in an amazing, mature area.”
lewys@mymts.net
Details
Location: 316 Centennial St., North River Heights
Year Built: 2020
Style: two-storey
Size: 1,496 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: three
Bathrooms: three-and-a-half
Price: $714,900
Contact: Chris Pennycook, Val Miller or Garrett Parker, Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate, 204-989-5000
