My first own real estate transaction was the purchase of a bungalow near Christie and St. Clair. Although it looked 'a little bigger’ the lot was only 55’ X 65’ but the price was $62,500! It didn’t look like much, but located on a laneway and at the end of some gardens , this small lot had lots of light. The Hillcrest area was green and close to the St. Clair streetcar. It took six months, but I added a second floor, doubling the space.
In 1990 I sold that house to buy a duplex at 190 Cottingham St. in the 'Republic of Rathnelly.' I took over the top unit that had been inhabited by three students. After a few walls were gone, a zero clearance fireplace installed and stairs were built down to the reclaimed garden, this was a great home. Dealing with tenants has its challenges, but for 10 years I had the same tenants helping to pay the mortgage- they stayed on after I sold too.
One big success at this house was turning the land-locked garage into an eating and garden gazebo. Many were the late night dinner parties out there in the garden by candlelight. Another big success was changing the front windows and building a new front porch. These features were kept when the next owner converted the duplex to a single family and it is still one of the best porches in the area- don’t you think?
Down the street from #190 Cottingham there were/are six pairs of Victorian semis, built around 1880. In 1990 one set became available through an estate sale. Both sides had been cut up into apartments and rented for years. One side was a little fresher, whereas the other had been rented untouched since the war! I bought #204 as it had more light and driveway access. I wanted to buy both sides, but I knew that renos would take 6 months at least, so it would have required carrying three properties at the same time- a little rich for the mortgage brokers!
Inside, all the charming Victorian bones were evident- the 10’ ceilings, a bannister buried under plaster and two beautiful fireplaces. However, most of the plumbing and electricity were historic and the house was a maze of little rooms. It ended up being a complete gut, but I was able to get a sun filled 2nd floor study facing the street and by placing the kitchen in the middle of the house, I had a great room across the back of the house leading out to another reclaimed garden (it had been five paved parking spaces).
Unfortunately, one of the Victorian fireplace mantels was stolen during the renos. The thieves left the cast-iron insert behind which contained these lovely Minto tiles. I had them framed and hang them in my new house. Apparently similar fireplaces were shipped around the British empire and can be found in Australia and South Africa. Similar tiles can be purchased on ebay.
An old decrepid garage came with the house. It worked for a few years but I finally broke down and built a new garage. Exiting off a mutual driveway we decided to angle the building and have doors into the garden. Although it just held my car, most people think it was my art studio- Does it make you think of Dr. Zhivago?
The year 2008 was terrible for world stock markets. While walking around the corner I saw a 'For Sale' sign on a small corner house on Rathnelly Ave. It had all the light of a corner house and basically good room sizes- another estate sale. I had the idea to downsize and save money. Buying in January 2009 was relatively easy- people were worried, but selling was uncertain. When I put the Cottingham house on the market, nothing comparable had sold for several months. After much debate and some last minute paint retouches, a price was chosen and I held my breath. Luckily glimmers of economic return were evident and the demand for a renovated Victorian was high- three offers in two weeks.
58 Rathnelly Avenue was probably built around 1900. I think it may have had 6 small bedrooms at one time, but had been renovated around 1970 so some rooms had already been combined. (Look at the picture pre-that reno) This was also an estate sale, with both the architecture and many of the furnishings reflecting that era. (see the 2009 picture) Although I bought some of the furniture – now termed 'mid-century modern'- many of the 1970 renos had to be replaced. It turned out to be another major reno. I didn’t make much money, but I have a wonderful house filled with light from three sides.
Three projects have been much admired. I reapplied a porch to the front of the house and then – with city permission- wrapped it around the side too. This allows the house to engage on all sides. There was already a small brick wall along the side, which I continued westward to the garage, enclosing the garden and giving me privacy. Lastly, was the decision to use my leaded glass door for the front. When I was young in Rosedale, the house beside my parents was torn down and the workers allowed me to take the front door. For 40 years this door has moved around with me, but never with a suitable display location. Now its time had come, with a new double glazed panel and some fresh stain it opens on to Rathnelly. A matching (new)panel was the gift of the architect.
I hope to stay here for a while, but I still go to open houses and dream of possible changes. Maybe I can help other people see the potential.