At first glance, it doesn’t try very hard.
Set quietly along one of Rosedale’s most prestigious streets, the exterior offers restraint rather than spectacle. No towering gates. No blinding soffit light displays. Just a dignified presence that suggests longevity more than luxury. The kind of home that doesn’t need to announce itself, because the neighbourhood already knows.
The price tag, however, does. At $17.95 million, this property sits firmly in rarefied Toronto real estate territory. But the number alone doesn’t explain why it exists at this level, or why it will attract a very specific buyer.
The story begins in 1908, when the home was originally designed by Eden Smith, one of Toronto’s most celebrated architects. His work emphasized proportion, craftsmanship, and livability over trend. Principles that still define this estate more than a century later.
Today, the home has been meticulously renovated and structurally reinforced, combining heritage architecture with modern luxury. The result is more than 8,900 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space that feels intentional rather than excessive. Large, but never overwhelming.
Inside, the layout prioritizes real living. There are 6+1 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, a private office, and a second-floor family room that balances openness with privacy. Every room is functional, elegant, and perfectly suited for Toronto family living and entertaining.
The kitchen is the heart of the home. With two oversized islands, heated floors, dual ovens including a steam option, dual dishwashers, and a breakfast area, it blends utility and design seamlessly. This is a space built for cooking at scale. Without ever feeling staged.
The property’s most remarkable feature lies outside. Backing onto a deep ravine lot, professionally reinforced to prevent erosion, it offers private stone stair access directly into Toronto’s ravine trail system. The backyard is a quiet, protected extension of the home into nature, rare in the heart of the city. And yet, Yonge Street, TTC access, shops, and fine dining remain just minutes away, striking a balance few Toronto properties can achieve.
A glass-doored, custom metal-panelled elevator links all levels with ease, complementing the home’s graceful flow. The lower level extends luxury further, with 9’6” ceilings, radiant heated floors, a gym, climate-controlled wine storage, walk-in cedar closets, and a full second kitchen for extended family or entertaining at scale.
Throughout the home, details are deliberate. Bespoke millwork, curated materials, and thoughtful architectural touches preserve the character of Eden Smith’s design while embedding modern sophistication.
Offered for the first time in over 20 years, this is a legacy home prepared for the next generation.
At $17.95M, it commands attention. But its real value is in the intangible: heritage, privacy, scale, and the rare combination of nature and city access that only Rosedale luxury homes can offer.
Why Homes Like This Almost Never Trade Hands
Properties like this rarely change ownership because true heritage homes in prime Toronto neighbourhoods are finite. The combination of size, location, ravine access, and meticulous renovation creates a scarcity that keeps these estates off the market for decades. When they do appear, it’s an opportunity to own a piece of the city’s architectural and cultural history.
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