These days, anyone looking for a new home has two options.
The first is to build one in one of the excellent new communities around the city. The second is to find a house in a mature area that occupies a good-size lot, is solid and has the potential to be gradually upgraded to a home you'll put roots down in for a decade or more.
Diana Groves, a real estate agent with Sutton Group-Kilkenny Real Estate, said she has a house that meets the criteria for option 2.
"I have a solid vintage home on a big (70 feet by 210 feet) lot at 2450 Assiniboine Cres.," she said. "The lot is absolute gold, featuring gorgeous views of the Assiniboine River as it meanders past. Mature trees frame the backyard, which is a place you can pick grapes in the autumn and enjoy the park-like surroundings no matter what the season. It's hard to find this type of lot in a newer community."
Not only is 2450 Assiniboine's lot big, so is the house. At 1,950 square feet, it is expansive upstairs and down. Although all that space is impressive, the surroundings steal the show.
Thankfully, whoever designed the house designed it to take advantage of the tranquil setting. The moment you enter the living room/dining room area at the rear, you see a patio door to the left that leads to a large backyard deck, and eight windows to the right.
All that glass accomplishes two things: It makes for a living room that's decidedly solarium-like and provides a priceless view of the river as it stretches away to the right of the house down tree-lined banks.
"This home is all about being able to enjoy outdoor living," said Groves. "If you're entertaining in the living room/dining room, the river view is front and centre at all times. You can go out back and barbecue and even head down to the riverside to enjoy a fire in the fire pit. It's a tranquil, country-like setting with the water and trees and deer walking through the yard. Even though you're close to Portage Avenue, the home is set well back. You feel like you're in a world of your own."
The interior lends itself to easy living. The living room/dining room, which features well-kept oak hardwoods and a wood-burning fireplace with brick surround on the rear wall, offers plenty of room to entertain and visit, with the bonus of being able to situate the dining area in a way that takes full advantage of the river view.
Next to the dining area is a large eat-in kitchen (24.4 feet by 11 feet) with room for a table for four, a mid-size island, tons of natural oak cabinets, a large two-part pantry across from the island, tile floor and white tile countertops. There's even a picture window next to the dinette area and a large window with display ledge over the double sink.
"The interior of the home is all about potential. Over time, you can update it, adding your own touches to make it yours," Groves said. "A bigger patio door and extra window, along with a little paint, could brighten up the living room a bit, and new cabinets and countertops would make the kitchen more contemporary. The important thing is that the home is solid, has good bones -- and a great location."
Due to its size and location, 2450 Assiniboine is a home that's ideal for a family, highlighted by the fact the bedroom wing, which can be closed off by a French door for privacy, is an entity unto itself.
"I really like the layout," Groves said. "The two secondary bedrooms are down the hall to the left, well away from the master suite, which is at the opposite end. A four-piece bath is between the two bedrooms and the master, a feature that adds extra division."
The master bedroom is a good size at almost 17 feet by 12 feet. With his and hers closets, a sitting area and four-piece ensuite with jetted tub, tile/tempered-glass shower and tile floor, plus dual ceramic vanities, it could be enjoyed as is until a budget presents itself for renovations, or could be easily updated, as the framework is in place to do that in seamless fashion.
"Again, the word is potential. The master suite is already a wonderful retreat, with its private location, size and ensuite, but could be made even better with the right touches."
Another space that could be made better with a few well-placed touches is the huge, partially finished lower level, which features a theatre room with wet bar, fireplace and two-piece bath. The other two-thirds of this area is undeveloped, but could easily become a rec room, a bedroom or two, plus storage.
"This home offers all kinds of potential in a mature location that offers summer tranquillity and a winter wonderland," Groves said. "You can live like you're at the lake but are actually only minutes away from all city conveniences. It's a wonderful home ready for someone to claim and make it their own."
lewys@mts.net
