Rare penthouse in historic Toronto mansion hits market for $10 million

In Toronto, there are condos, there are penthouses, and then there are places that make you question whether the word "condo" really applies at all.

The penthouse at 1 Chestnut Park Rd. in Rosedale definitely falls into the latter category.

Spanning more than 5,000 square feet, the sprawling residence is bigger than many detached Toronto homes and comes with soaring ceilings, marble fireplaces, multiple terraces and its own private elevator.

The exterior of 1 Chestnut Park. 

But perhaps the coolest thing about this penthouse is the building itself.

The architects are also behind Toronto buildings like Trinity St. Paul's and the ChumCity Building. 

Long before 1 Chestnut Park became one of Rosedale's most exclusive condo addresses, it was a grand Neo-Georgian mansion designed by Toronto architecture firm Burke, Horwood & White Associates.

The dining room. 

Its first occupant was James Ryrie, a prominent Toronto jeweller and diamond merchant whose company, Ryrie Bros., would eventually become part of Birks.

The Great Room with an original fireplace. 

The roughly 10,000-square-foot mansion was eventually converted into an incredibly intimate residential complex, with just four homes.

The foyer. 

The complex was completed in 1986, and today, there's essentially one residence per floor, plus another home in the former coach house at the rear of the property.

A sitting area. 

And they don't come up for sale very often. In fact, the last time a unit at 1 Chestnut Park hit the market was back in 2016.

Coffered ceilings and ornate columns add to the character of the space. 

The penthouse occupies more than 5,000 square feet and manages to retain much of the grandeur you'd expect from a historic Rosedale mansion.

A family room with a marble fireplace. 

There are 10- and 11-foot ceilings, elaborate mouldings and columns, gleaming hardwood floors, skylights and some seriously impressive marble fireplaces.

The library. 

Probably the most impressive space is the living room, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a huge fireplace, and a look that could be a set from The Gentlemen or Downton Abbey.

The living room. 

A dramatic staircase only adds to the old-money mansion vibes, while enormous principal rooms make the home feel much more like a private estate than an apartment.

A sitting area in the primary bedroom. 

Of course, unlike your typical century-old mansion, you don't actually have to climb all those stairs.

The elevator and staircase. 

The penthouse has its own in-suite elevator that travels directly from the underground garage into the residence, giving you the convenience of condo living without sacrificing much of the privacy you'd get from a standalone home.

The kitchen features top-of-the-line Miele appliances. 

The kitchen has also been thoroughly updated for modern life and opens directly onto one of the home's two private terraces.

One of the terraces. 

Both terraces face south, offering views across the Toronto skyline and giving the penthouse something most historic Rosedale mansions can't: a serious vantage point over the city.

The primary bedroom. 

The primary suite is similarly over-the-top, with its own sitting area, two walk-in closets and a large ensuite complete with a steam shower and bidet.

The primary ensuite. 

But my favourite detail in the ensuite is actually above your head. The sloped ceiling features delicate hand-painted detailing that gives the whole room a distinctly Parisian vibe.

Another terrace with a view. 

And despite feeling remarkably tucked away, the home is just off Yonge Street, putting shops, restaurants and the subway within easy walking distance.

The breakfast nook in the kitchen. 

It's a pretty rare combination: more than 5,000 square feet of living space inside a historic Rosedale mansion, but without the driveway shovelling, roof repairs and other joys that generally come with owning one.

The terrace. 

And considering homes inside 1 Chestnut Park seem to hit the market about once a decade, this isn't exactly your everyday Toronto condo listing.

The view of 1 Chestnut Park from the street. 

The penthouse is currently listed for $9,795,000.