Cool mid-century modern Toronto house surprisingly for sale at under $1 million

Many Toronto houses try to capture the mid-century aesthetic but few succeed like 6 Munson Cres., which now is my new obsession.

Tucked into Scarborough's architecturally beloved Midland Park community, this three-bedroom home isn't just another renovation, it's more like a love letter to the 1960s.

Originally designed as part of an award-winning neighbourhood planned by architect Ted Ross between 1959 and 1962, the house showcases the Woodridge model, which snagged a Canada Housing Design Council Award back in 1960. 

The original listing for 6 Munson Cres. from the house builder provided by Kathryn Long. 

The bones alone are enough to make architecture nerds weak in the knees. But when you find out it only cost $16,275 to buy back in the day...on the floor.  

The front of the house. 

From the street, the home leans fully into its mid-century roots with its distinctive A-frame silhouette and split-level design.

The living and dining area. 

Step inside, and the vaulted 1.5-storey ceilings instantly flood the main floor with light, making the living and kitchen areas feel airy, open, and just a little bit cinematic.

The living room. 

But what really sets this place apart is the restoration itself.

The dining room with original wood panelling. 

The current owners — Michelle and Pearce, the husband-and-wife duo behind the vintage furniture brand Modern Variety — approached the project less like a flip and more like a passion project decades in the making.

One of the bedrooms currently used as an office. 

Original mahogany closets, doors, and panelled feature walls have been preserved, while oak strip flooring and period-appropriate materials keep the home grounded in its era.

The primary bedroom. 

"My clients bought this as a starter home with a clear vision," listing agent Kathryn Long told blogTO. "Their goal was to balance modern amenities and family living spaces with careful, period-correct restoration — keeping and matching as much of the original detail as possible."

The renovated kitchen. 

The kitchen, renovated in 2022, might be the most convincing example of that philosophy.

The new kitchen leans into the mid-century style but is fully updated. 

Floor-to-ceiling mahogany cabinetry pairs with stainless steel countertops and terrazzo quartz flooring, while Fisher & Paykel panel-front appliances blend seamlessly into the design.

Pocket-doors can close off the kitchen from the rest of the house. 

A Velux skylight pours light into the space, and custom pocket doors allow the layout to shift from open-concept hangout to cozy, contained zone depending on the mood.

The iconic open-rise stairs. 

Designer lighting — including a classic Herman Miller Bubble Lamp — reinforces the retro vibe without making the house feel stuck in the past.

The view to the front entrance from upstairs. 

Upstairs, three spacious bedrooms overlook the main level, maintaining that signature mid-century flow between spaces.

The main bathroom. 

The renovated bathroom features a custom walnut vanity, terrazzo quartz tile floors, and yet another skylight.

The basement recreation room. 

Downstairs, the basement renovation from 2022 turns the lower level into a cozy retreat, complete with sound-deadening insulation, natural wool carpeting, and a wood-burning fireplace framed by stone.

The lower-level bathroom. 

There's also a spa-inspired bathroom with heated floors and custom mahogany cabinetry, proving that even the most retro-leaning home can still deliver modern comfort.

The back porch. 

Outside, the landscaping channels California cool (when there isn't several feet of snow) with mature trees, custom wood-slat pergolas, and multiple private outdoor living areas.

A bedroom. 

And while the home feels deeply rooted in the past, the upgrades are thoroughly modern: black vinyl double-pane windows, an upgraded electrical panel, motorized blinds, keypad entry locks, and sleek ceiling fans in the bedrooms.

The living room with mid-century vintage furniture. 

In a city where so many renovations erase original character, 6 Munson Cres. feels like a refreshing alternative — a house that proves you can honour history without sacrificing functionality.

The office. 

As for Michelle and Pearce? According to Long, this won't be their last design project. The couple is already planning their next restoration — meaning this meticulously curated mid-century dream is officially ready for its next chapter.

The back of the house. 

And that dream is pretty achievable for Toronto standards as 6 Munson Cres. listed for a reasonable $949,000.