The signature home on Scotia Street

Some 81 years ago, one of the founding members of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association decided to build a home on Scotia Street.

And it wasn’t to be just any home.

Not only was it to be built to exacting standards, but it would also feature a cutting-edge interior design. Today, the home commissioned by James Gniazdoski — it was designed and built by a local builder by the name of W. Senicki, according to records — still occupies the position it was designed to hold in 1937: being the showpiece of Scotia Street.

There’s a reason why 287 Scotia St. hasn’t lost its lustre, Glen MacAngus of Royal LePage Top Producers says.

"Over the past 18 years, the outgoing owners extensively and lovingly remodelled the home. As a result, it’s in unbelievable condition inside and out. When the owners are outside gardening, it’s not unusual for four or five people a day to stop by and compliment them on how beautiful the home is."

The key to the home’s timeless appeal is that the outgoing owners made a point of retaining the home’s original character while modernizing it.

Case in point is the 2,200 square foot, two-storey home’s exterior.

While new windows were installed, care was taken to ensure they possessed the same latticed design as the original windows. Meanwhile, other original features — including dark wood trim, brick walls and a front entrance framed by Manitoba tyndall stone — have been meticulously maintained.

It should come as no surprise, then, that the same attention to detail and dedication to retaining the home’s original character carries inside.

"The commitment to keeping the home’s character is incredible," MacAngus says. "The woodwork and flooring look the same as they did in 1937 and design features such as high baseboards, crystal doorknobs and trim around windows and doors were maintained."

Step inside the home’s generous foyer and you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time. The oak hardwoods gleam, the original staircase — with its hand-hewn, curved railing — invites you upstairs and oak-trimmed French doors to the left beckon you to head into the bright, expansive living room to sit for a spell and visit.

The living room, thanks to an ultra-wide entrance, merges seamlessly into another expansive area that holds a formal dining room and sitting area with huge picture window plus a sunroom off to the side.

"You don’t see many 81-year-old homes with a floor plan like this," MacAngus notes. "Flow from the living room into the dining room/sitting room area is incredible and huge windows (bay window on the living room’s rear wall, big picture window on sitting room’s rear wall) let in tons of natural light. And the river view you get from the window in the sitting area is spectacular."

Then, there’s the kitchen, which can be accessed via a door on the dining room’s side wall.

"The kitchen features espresso maple cabinets, gorgeous granite countertops, a glass tile backsplash and cork flooring. It’s finished off perfectly by a built-in gas range and stainless steel appliances."

Meander to the far side of the tastefully remodelled kitchen and you find it’s piece de resistance: a sun-filled eating nook/office area.

"First of all, the owners did a great job of retaining the character of the windows that surround the eating nook," he says.

"There’s not only a table with built-in seating, but there’s also a peninsula that can serve as a desk, or additional eating space."

Take the breathtaking staircase upstairs, and you find a bright second floor that holds three big bedrooms and a remodelled main bath.

"The main bath is absolutely gorgeous with its tile floor, corner jetted soaker tub, glass/tile shower and granite vanity with raised oval sink. The master suite — which is just steps from the bathroom — features his and her closets and an extra room to its rear. Right now, it’s being used as an exercise room, but it could be used as an office, or even be turned into a walk-in closet."

Head downstairs, and you find something you don’t always see in an 81-year-old home: a functional, fully finished basement.

"What can you say, the outgoing owners turned it into a haven with a rec room with gas fireplace (set in a cultured stone surround), dry bar and sitting/games area," MacAngus says. "There’s also a beautiful three-piece bath and massive, spotless laundry room with sink, cabinets, storage room and stairs that lead back upstairs."

Wander out back, and you encounter a veritable backyard paradise, he adds.

"With its barbecue area, huge patio, mature trees and river view. It’s an incredible spot, so incredible that Barkman Concrete actually uses it as a showpiece in its catalogue. It’s a gorgeous area that just finishes the home off perfectly."

In his more than three decades of selling homes, MacAngus says 287 Scotia St. may well be the best he’s listed.

"It’s as nice as anything I’ve seen — it’s a special house," he says.

"While the renovations modernized it, it still has all its original character and charm. It’s still the signature home on Scotia Street, in every way."

lewys@mymts.net

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