355 Blythwood Road - LAWRENCE PARK

In March 2011, this 4+1 bedroom, 7 bathroom house on a 45 x 258 foot lot was listed at $1,349,000.

It looked like this...

And you can see the interior photos here.

It was a dark, old, 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom Lawrence Park home.

As per a Globe and Mail article about the home, the old house was torn down and this new house was built by Emil Toma of M.A. Homes..

And though I don't think it is done by the same builder, there are many similarities to the house that recently sold at 5 Millbank Avenue in Forest Hill.

There are a lot of differences, like the style of the front of the house and the kitchen cabinets style...

But there are also a LOT of similarities like the layout, the floors, the walls, the door knobs, the office wood, the workout room being open to the family room. At least this gym is separated by a wall and glass but do you want to be the one lounging on the couch watching tv while someone is running 6 km/hr on a tread mill staring at you!?!

Even with the similarities, there is enough that is different, and of the two houses, this one is definitely my preference.

For some, the location might not be as good because is not as close to the downtown core, it has one less bedroom, there is no pool, and the street it is on can be really busy during rush hour.

But the house at 5 Millbank Avenue was listed at $6,680,000 and sold for $6,175,000!!!

(I know, insane!).

This house was first listed in June for $3,295,000.

Or over HALF of the Millbank listing price.

As of July, it is now listed at $3,195,000.

So, why is it still for sale when a house down the street on a non-ravine, corner lot at 1 Blythe Hill Road sold for $2,935,000?

Well, that house had a different, less new build-ey feel.

But it wasn't on the ravine.

Thing is there are few things I am not crazy about in this house like the oven situation. For a kitchen of this size, and at this price, it needs another oven. And I would prefer it if it wasn't near the fridge. There is just too much foot traffic there.

Also, is there a front hall closet?

Sure, there are a lot of great coat racks out there like this one...