A rare century-old Toronto home just hit the market for $4 million

Tucked away in the upscale Yonge and St. Clair neighbourhood, this charming cottage looks like it belongs in a quaint English village rather than one of Toronto's most expensive residential areas.

But don't let its modest appearance fool you. The home is currently listed for $3,950,000, which is a pretty hefty price tag for a one-and-a-half-storey cottage.

If it's any consolation, that's $400,000 less than the $4,350,000 the property was asking earlier this year.

Of course, you're not just paying for the house. You're also getting a rather fascinating piece of Toronto history.

The addition of the garage to the historic house. 

Built around 1908, 63 Lonsdale Rd. is one of the original Lonsdale Road Cottages, a pair of near-identical homes that have managed to survive more than a century of development in the neighbourhood.

The powder room. 

The cottages at 63 and 69 Lonsdale Rd. are recognized on the City of Toronto's heritage inventory for their architectural and historical significance.

The living room. 

Both homes are examples of Second Empire architecture, a style that became popular in Toronto during the late 19th century.

The front porch. 

The most distinctive feature is the mansard roof, which gives the house its unusual silhouette, complete with charming round dormer windows.

The front porch. 

A gabled front porch, stucco exterior, and traditional detailing make the home feel like a little architectural time capsule.

The family room. 

The property's history is arguably as interesting as its appearance.

A walk-in closet with built-ins. 

Before Yonge and St. Clair's Deer Park became synonymous with expensive real estate, it was a suburban community north of Toronto's city limits, originally home to sprawling country estates.

The breakfast nook in the kitchen. 

In fact, the neighbourhood takes its name from the Heath family's farm, which was appropriately called Deer Park.

The primary bedroom. 

The area began developing into a residential suburb in the 1870s, but it wasn't officially annexed by Toronto until 1908, the same year 63 Lonsdale Rd. first appeared in city directories.

A second bedroom. 

Its earliest recorded occupant was George Pemberton, a bank manager, while the neighbouring cottage at 69 Lonsdale Rd. was home to bank inspector Alfred Fletcher. Both properties were also once owned by Dr. D. Campbell Meyers, a physician who operated a private hospital for nervous diseases in Deer Park.

One of three bathrooms. 

So, needless to say, these aren't your average Toronto cottages.

The front entrance. 

While the exterior retains much of its historic charm, the interior is surprisingly spacious.

The living room. 

The main floor features a traditional layout with a central hallway, a generous living room, a formal dining room, and a separate den.

The living room's built-in bookcases. 

The living room has a fireplace and built-in bookcases, giving it the kind of cozy, old-world atmosphere you'd expect from a home of this vintage.

The dining room. 

Large windows, including several bay windows, help fill the rooms with natural light.

The kitchen could use some updated appliances. 

The home also includes a kitchen, powder room, and mudroom, the latter of which provides direct access to the backyard.

The primary bedroom and ensuite. 

Upstairs, the principal bedroom comes with a four-piece ensuite and an adjoining dressing room with built-in storage.

The bedroom with a fireplace. 

There are two additional bedrooms, one of which even has its own fireplace, along with another four-piece bathroom.

The backyard. 

But perhaps one of the property's biggest selling points is the lot.

Sitting on an impressive 50-by-150-foot property, 63 Lonsdale Rd. has the kind of outdoor space that's becoming increasingly difficult to find in central Toronto.

The flagstone patio and gardens. 

The mature gardens create a surprisingly private retreat, with established greenery, manicured landscaping and a flagstone patio that's perfect for enjoying the warmer months.

The garage. 

The property also has a later addition on its west side, which includes an attached tandem two-car garage with direct access to the house.

The primary ensuite. 

And while nearly $4 million is certainly a lot to spend on a three-bedroom home, there's something undeniably appealing about owning a little piece of Toronto's past. 

The basement. 

The Lonsdale Road Cottages are part of a small enclave of historic homes, including some of Deer Park's earliest surviving residences, such as the cottage at 73 Lonsdale Rd., which dates to the late 1870s.

In a city where older homes are frequently demolished, renovated beyond recognition or replaced with much larger modern houses, 63 Lonsdale Rd. is a reminder of what Toronto's residential neighbourhoods once looked like.

The back of the house. 

And for someone with $3.95 million to spare, it could be a pretty charming place to call home.