$1 million Toronto home comes with an indoor bridge

Toronto real estate is full of "custom builds," but usually they're terrible DIYs that feel legally questionable. 

However, every once in a while, a place pops up that actually does something cool. And 494 Kingston Rd. is very much that house.

This modern, loft-inspired home in The Beaches was originally designed and built in 2006 by an award-winning designer and builder as their own residence.

The open living and dining room area. 

And honestly? It shows. The heart of the home is a jaw-dropping 25-foot atrium that pulls sunlight deep into the living space through soaring curvilinear ceilings and upper-level windows.

The living room. 

The whole main floor is open and airy, with maple floors, trim, staircases, and built-ins warming up what could otherwise feel like an ultra-modern box. It's dramatic, but still livable — a tough balance that this place actually pulls off.

The chain link fence walls. 

Then there's the detail that earns this house its headline moment: the stair "walls" made of chain-link fencing.

Chain link fence is also used as stair railings. 

Yes, actual chain link — the stuff of schoolyards and baseball diamonds — used here as an interior architectural feature.

The interior bridge and upstairs flexible office space. 

And instead of looking like a DIY accident, it reads as industrial, sculptural, and surprisingly elegant. It's the kind of bold material choice most would never have the nerve to execute.

The kitchen. 

The kitchen has been recently updated and is clearly designed for people who host. There's plenty of cabinetry, artisan-style finishes, and a walkout to a rear deck. 

The primary bedroom. 

Upstairs, there are two spacious bedrooms.

The upstairs bathroom. 

There's also a new four-piece bathroom with a double vanity, and flexible office space sit around the atrium, connected by a striking interior bridge that overlooks the living area below.

The basement. 

The lower level is fully finished, with a separate walkout. That opens the door to extra living space, a guest suite, or potential rental income.

The patio surrounded by trees. 

Location-wise, you're steps to transit, parks, recreation facilities, and solid local schools, plus a short walk to the beach itself. 

The dining room. 

But here's the real twist: this architectural showpiece sold for $1,375,000 in 2021.

The front entrance. 

Five years later, it's returned to the market for $1,079,000 — nearly $300,000 less than its last sale price in 2021.

The second bedroom. 

In a city where we're used to homes selling for double or triple its former sold price, seeing a design-forward, one-of-a-kind builder's home come back at a lower number is… notable.