$7M Victorian Toronto house completely reimagined into a modern gem

Toronto's Rosedale neighbourhood is known for its grand Victorian homes, historic architecture and the kind of real estate most of us can only dream of affording.

But while there's certainly something to be said for preserving a home's historic charm, sometimes a complete transformation is exactly what a property needs.

And 149 Roxborough St. E. is a pretty spectacular example of what happens when you take a traditional Victorian home and give it an entirely new personality.

The foyer. 

The five-bedroom, five-bathroom home has undergone a complete restoration that makes it look like it belongs in the pages of Architectural Digest.

The living room with the original leaded windows. 

"This is Rosedale at its best: a complete restoration with a warm, organic modernist design with meticulous craftsmanship throughout," realtor Jonathan Ferrier told blogTO.

The dining nook. 

And the transformation is even more impressive when you consider what the house looked like just a few years ago.

A view into the kitchen and backyard. 

Back in 2021, when 149 Roxborough St. E. last sold for $4,995,000, the interiors were decidedly modern farmhouse.

The stairwell with built-in storage. 

The home previously featured white and cream walls, shabby-chic furniture everywhere, and plenty of gingham accent pillows. 

The primary bedroom. 

Fast-forward five years, and the house is almost unrecognizable.

The living room. 

Gone is the whitewashed farmhouse aesthetic, replaced by rich textures, natural materials and a design that feels contemporary without being cold or sterile.

The kitchen opens up to the backyard. 

As Ferrier puts it, the restoration is "a refreshing change from the predictable renovations of late."

The primary ensuite. 

And it's hard to disagree when you see the interiors.

The breakfast nook. 

Spanning approximately 4,750 sq. ft. of living space, the home has been completely reimagined with an emphasis on clean lines, soft curves and a seamless flow between rooms.

A home office. 

Rather than relying on stark white finishes and the usual ultra-modern design choices, the renovation embraces warm wood and organic elements that make the sprawling property feel surprisingly inviting.

The kitchen with stainless steel built-in appliances. 

The kitchen is perhaps one of the home's biggest showstoppers with all wood cabinetry, as well as timber-clad ceilings and walls. 

The kitchen island with storage. 

Flooded with natural light, the gourmet space has been designed with both cooking and entertaining in mind. 

The dining and living spaces outside the kitchen. 

Beyond the kitchen, the dining and living spaces continue the home's understated aesthetic, creating an effortless transition between the different areas.

The family room. 

My favourite space, though, is the family room, where wood-panelled walls and ceilings give the space a distinctly retro feel. It's giving expensive 1970s conversation pit, minus the questionable shag carpeting.

The primary bedroom. 

Upstairs, the primary suite takes the whole idea of a relaxing retreat pretty seriously.

The primary ensuite bathroom. 

Along with a spacious bedroom, there are two walk-in closets and a luxurious ensuite bathroom. 

The basement. 

But some of the property's most impressive features are actually hiding downstairs.

The wine cellar. 

The expansive lower level has been transformed into an entertainment and wellness space, complete with a wine cellar and tasting room, a sauna and a multipurpose recreation room.

The sauna. 

Essentially, there's very little reason to leave the house if you don't want to.

A bedroom. 

And that's before you even get to the backyard.

The swimming pool. 

Set on a deep, south-facing lot, the property features lush gardens and a massive 50-foot saltwater swimming pool you can enjoy year-round.

Lush greenery surrounding the pool. 

Yes, a year-round outdoor swimming pool in Toronto.

The private backyard. 

Surrounded by greenery, the backyard feels like a private resort rather than something you'd expect to find in the middle of one of the city's most established residential neighbourhoods.

A bedroom. 

Of course, if you do eventually decide to venture beyond your private oasis, the location isn't too shabby either.

The deck off the kitchen with herb planters. 

The home is just a short walk from the shops and restaurants along Yonge Street, with Yorkville and some of Toronto's top schools also nearby.

A shaded outdoor eating area. 

So while the Victorian exterior might still give the impression of a traditional Rosedale home, the interiors are proof that you don't necessarily have to sacrifice a historic home's character to bring it into the 21st century.

The back of the house. 

Currently, 149 Roxborough St. E is listed for $6,999,900.