Home of former Toronto Maple Leafs player just hit the market for under $3M

Toronto's Beaches neighbourhood is full of beautiful old homes, but every once in a while, a property comes along with a little something extra.

Sometimes it's the architecture. Sometimes it's the location. And sometimes it's the fact that a former Toronto Maple Leafs player once called it home.

At 14 Lyall Ave., you get all three, plus some pretty spectacular gardens.

Bay windows in the living room. 

The grand Victorian, which dates back more than a century, is currently listed for $2,699,900 and has a rather interesting connection to Toronto's hockey history.

The dining room. 

"The home was built around 1906 and was once owned by the famous Toronto Maple Leaf known then as the 'Golden Boy,' Ray Timgren, in the '50s or '60s," realtor Diane Tobia told blogTO.

A bedroom with a fireplace. 

And while its former owner's hockey career might be the property's most interesting historical tidbit, the house itself has plenty going for it.

One of three bathrooms. 

Set on an exceptionally wide 50-by-100-foot lot, the two-and-a-half-storey brick home offers more than 3,000 square feet of restored living space across three levels.

The main floor with original detailing. 

"This is a beautifully restored Victorian with an exceptional lot size for the area and tons of character and charm and award-winning gardens, as the homeowner is a master gardener," Tobia said.

The foyer. 

Inside, you'll find soaring ceilings, beautiful original trim, large windows and the kind of old-school architectural details that are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

The living room. 

The formal living room has a wood-burning fireplace.

The library. 

There's also a private library or home office.

The dining room. 

The formal dining room connects to a newly renovated kitchen and great room, where things take a decidedly more modern turn.

The kitchen. 

The open, light-filled space combines a kitchen, breakfast area and family room, creating a much more casual gathering spot than the home's traditional front rooms.

The great room. 

It also includes a full pantry, a convenient main-floor washroom, and direct access to the backyard.

The second floor with a stained-glass window in the stairwell. 

Upstairs, a skylight floods the staircase with natural light, while a second-floor addition features windows on all sides, creating a bright, almost solarium-like space.

The solarium. 

It could easily function as a yoga studio, reading room or simply somewhere to sit and soak up the sunshine without actually having to go outside.

The bedroom with the sun deck. 

One of the second-floor bedrooms comes with its own cozy fireplace, while another has a private walkout to a south-facing sun deck.

The third-floor primary suite. 

But the entire third floor might be the biggest selling point for anyone who appreciates a little privacy.

The ensuite bathroom. 

The space is perfectly suited to a primary suite, complete with a sitting area, private ensuite bathroom and built-in storage.

The back garden. 

Of course, we'd be remiss not to talk about the gardens, which might just be the property's crowning glory.

A sitting area in the back garden. 

Created by the current homeowner, who is a master gardener, the award-winning gardens have even been featured in magazines and on the Beaches Garden tours.

An aerial view of the front garden. 

With lush greenery, mature plantings and plenty of room for outdoor entertaining, the backyard feels like a little escape from the city. And thanks to that unusually generous lot, there's actually enough space to enjoy the gardens rather than simply admire them through a window.

A bedroom currently used as a home office. 

But despite all its charm, the home hasn't exactly had the easiest time finding a buyer this year.

The newly renovated kitchen. 

According to its listing history, 14 Lyall Ave. hit the market in June for $2.7 million before being listed again in July for $2,199,000. It returned to the market this September, this time with an asking price of $2,699,900.

But the real estate market has been notoriously slow these days, so I doubt it will be long before the right buyer comes along and snaps up this gem. 

The back of the house. 

After all, owning a little piece of Toronto's hockey history is pretty cool. Owning one with award-winning gardens might be even better.