PHOTOS BY Todd Lewys / Free Press
Mid-century-modern style is alive and well in the dining room, which is defined smartly by a custom wood-slat feature wall.
The family room — which comes with a river view and garden door that connects to a large backyard deck — is a cosy, inviting space.
Spacious, warm and full of modern functionality, the updated kitchen is a chef’s dream.
The fully finished lower level is capped off by a spacious rec room with media and games area.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
The updated five-piece main bath is a spectacular, spa-like space.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
A sense of tranquility pervades the primary bedroom, which offers vinyl-plank flooring, pot lights and a deep double closet.
When you think of riverfront homes in East Kildonan, the first special route that may come to mind is Kildonan Drive.
That’s natural, because it runs along the Red River for kilometres between Helmsdale Avenue and Rossmere Crescent along the west side of Henderson Highway, dotted by countless riverfront classics.
What many don’t realize is there’s a little pocket of homes tucked away just north of Harbison Avenue on Bredin Drive, which at first glance seems to be a modest little street.
As the saying goes, first impressions can be misleading, and that’s certainly the case here.
As it turns out, the street runs west and then takes a 90-degree turn to the right. What at first seemed to be an ordinary street is actually a sheltered, riverfront enclave.
“If you don’t know it’s here, you can go past without noticing it. Once you drive to what you think is the end and then see that it runs along the river, you realize you’ve found something special,” says Val Miller of Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate, who along with Chris Pennycook and Garrett Parker just listed the charming bungalow.
Much like the street, the bungalow seems relatively ordinary, at first glance.
Granted, a stone, stucco and weathered-wood exterior endows it with a rustic charm that helps it fit in seamlessly with the countrified surroundings.
However, what seems to be a nice-looking home turns into something distinctly different once you step inside. In essence, there’s more — far more — to the home than meets the eye.
“The first thing you notice when you walk in is the river view — it’s the highlight of the home,” says Miller. “What I like about it is you can actually see the river through a gap in the trees. Right now, the huge picture window beautifully frames a gorgeous winter scene. In the summer, the view is just as spectacular.”
What makes the 1,639-sq.-ft. bungalow even more impressive is the fact it doesn’t remotely resemble a home built in 1951.
“It’s 73 years old, but doesn’t look it,” she says. “That’s because it’s been updated in pretty much every key area. At the same time, much of its original character was also retained.”
The bright, open-concept main living area features an attractive combination of design themes, starting with a refreshed peninsula-style kitchen.
“It was updated with cherry-style cabinets and drawers, black granite countertops, a tile backsplash and under-cabinet lighting. The breakfast bar seats four, and there’s a built-in gas cooktop, built-in oven, stainless-steel French-door fridge and built-in stainless-steel dishwasher.”
Then, there’s the adjacent dining area.
“Its custom wood-slat feature wall gives it a bit of a mid-century modern vibe,” Miller notes. “It’s set beneath a gorgeous chandelier, and easily seats eight. I love the fact it shares the original hardwoods with the kitchen and the family room. It’s an inviting, cosy space with its river view, electric fireplace and a garden door that leads out to a large backyard deck.”
She notes the updates extend beyond the amazing main living area.
“First, there’s the five-piece main bath. It’s just stunning with its heated tile floor, custom vanity with concrete top and double sinks, six-foot soaker tub with stone feature wall, and an amazing walk-in shower with tile surround and ceiling-mounted rain shower head.”
The space next to it — the primary bedroom — was also updated.
“At 15-by-13-feet it’s quite spacious, and offers vinyl-plank flooring, a large window with custom curtains, and a double closet with automatic light and pot lights,” she says. “It’s a wonderfully relaxing space.”
Head downstairs, and there’s another 1,500 sq. ft.-plus of fully finished space to enjoy.
“There’s a huge rec room with laminate plank flooring, pot lights, several windows, a large bedroom with legal egress window and a three-piece bath and laundry area with adjacent gym/hobby room area. Storage space is also abundant.”
Miller says the home is a move-in-ready marvel.
“This is a house that’s full of surprises. With its river view, updates and excellent functionality, it will make a great home for a family or empty-nesters looking to downsize.”
lewys@mymts.net
Location: 400 Bredin Dr., East Kildonan
Year Built: 1951
Style: bungalow
Size: 1,639 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: three
Bathrooms: two
Price: $599,900
Contact: Val Miller, Chris Pennycook or Garrett Parker, Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate, 204-989-5000
