Dear reader, 

I hear it from realtors more and more: buyers want to be close to nature, and that ask is often non-negotiable. It makes sense—a backyard with a ravine can do as much for health (and property values) as a home gym or a basement sauna.

Nature is all over Curb Appeal’s top post this week: a Niagara-on-the-Lake stunner backing onto the UNESCO-recognized Niagara Escarpment. The site on the Bruce Trail is home to the oldest forest ecosystem in eastern North America. No wonder the place is going for $4.8 million.

But, even in the big city, buyers can get their green fix in more modest forms, like a condo overlooking the Toronto Islands, a laneway suite steps from Norwood Park or a floating home at the foot of the Bluffs. In the Toronto market, green means good.

Also in this week’s newsletter: a peek inside a Regent Park hard loft that was once part of a beer factory, a Mimico home with a theatre and a popcorn machine, and an ivory farmhouse set against a fairy tale pond. Visit torontolife.com for all our real estate coverage. 

The original bungalow that sat on this one-acre Bevan Heights property was built in the 1950s. In 2021, the current owner—a local contractor—bought the property with the intention of building a stunner from scratch. With renos finally complete, they’re looking to sell and start a new creative project. Take the tour now.

The complex housing this condo was built in 1878 and was once home to Dominion Beer and the CBC’s rehearsal halls. The unit itself is currently going for $2.5 million. Check it out here.

Here’s a $3.6-million, 6,000-square-foot house within walking distance of the Mimico GO station. It has six bedrooms, six parking spots, a safe room, a basement bar and an outdoor kitchen. 

How about a $3.5-million King City farmhouse sitting on five acres of land? The estate comes with a room made of logs, a field for horses and a stone barn. 

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