Powered by:

Richard K.C. Ling, Broker

Harvey Kalles Real Estate Limited, Brokerage

Essex House, Cobourg

351 George Street

 

Award Winning Renovation and Featured in Janette Higgins "The Best Places to Bed & Breakfast in Ontario" (Fifth Edition)

 

Canadian $428,000/~U.S. $330,000.00

 

Please click on Thumbnails below to enlarge Pictures

 

Richard's Notes

The Region

 

Tap into what the cognoscenti have known for several years, a little bit of insider information if you will - Port Hope and Cobourg is turning into a bedroom community of Toronto. 50 minutes of highway driving east of Toronto on HWY 401, Port Hope is one of (maybe a couple), towns in Ontario that has a proactive Heritage Conservatory that has prevented bulldozing of Century Homes for Parking Lots - "managed growth" is a term that comes to mind. Cobourg, just 10 minutes east of Port Hope, is the "sister" township that is one of Toronto's favourites. Then there is Grafton, just another wee bit east.

And it is a good thing.  Steeped in history, the "triplets" were the playgrounds of the Rich and Famous since the early 1800's.  That would explain all the majestic estates in the surrounding countryside.

Northumberland County, where the "triplets" lie, benefits from the growing trend of "city folk" moving out from the hustle and bustle in the "big smoke" to somewhere quieter and safer.  With the Internet revolutionizing the way we do business and communicate, many have taken advantage of what telecommuting has to offer. When we placed the Director of Marketing for a major National Bookstore in Grafton 4 years back, he traded his home in North York for a 100 acre farm with a restored Century Home that once belonged to the Masseys for $550,000.  I am sure it's worth a lot more now.  A recent article in Toronto Star (July 1, 2002) mentioned that a developer from Peterborough is planning to develop a 4,800 people retirement community in Port Hope.  He does have the vision and started accumulating land mass 10 years back.

Northumberland County is only part of this "managed growth" phenomenon , although, additionally, there seems to be a trend in Health Spas popping up the the area as well as the traditional Country Fare.  Moving slightly eastward, we have the Big Apple in Colborne that opens year round attracting millions.  And Brighton turning into a well received retirement community - great success in the development of Brighton-by-the-Bay by a REIT.  Then Prince Edward County, with picturesque Picton,  is turning into the other Wine Producing region.  After selling The Hillcrest in Port Hope to an area Spa, I see a few more popping up that provide a variety of alternatives and choices.  Another client from the U.K., now a good friend, is setting up another one in Brighton.  I am sure this will be quite special - as influenced by her background as a hotelier in Africa and her son as an impresario in the entertainment/music industry in the U.K. and New York.  Then there is Trenton and Belleville, led by one of the most dynamic Economic Development Boards in the person of Chris King; and Kingston, which is experiencing phenomenal growth.

From another point-of-view, with the reciprocal commerce between Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, Northumberland is the Gateway to Toronto from travelers in these regions.  A good break after 4 - 5 hours of driving!

 

 Essex House

 

 

Please click on Thumbnail above  to enlarge Picture

History

Built around 1896, Essex House is an all brick representative of the later Victorian style popular in the area at that time.  I don't know the social status of the original owners, but, based on the size of the rooms, I would venture a guess that they are of a certain level of social prominence.  In 1951, Dennis A. Bergins and his wife, Helen J. Bergins purchased the property and stayed there for some 50 years until the current owners.  The Bergins owned and operated the area's IDA Store.

The Current Owners

Please click on Thumbnail above  to enlarge Picture

Pat Arato and Annette Young, originally from the U.K., a prominent pioneer and senior executive, respectively, in Toronto's Health Sector, fell in love with the place on first sight.  In 1996, sparing no expenses, they gutted the entire building (all 3,650 sq.ft. and exterior) and modernized it to their exacting standards and personal styles.  Being socially conscious, they want to make sure that the physically challenged individuals have access and built a ramp on the side porch and converted the Library into a double with an Ensuite that can accommodate them comfortably (oversize).  They have also built a fire barrier wall on top of the stairs and dotted the whole property with emergency lighting.

Shortly after the renovation, Christine Stewart, the former Minister of the Environment, has christened the launch to a most auspicious start.

The Property

Charming corner lot just minutes (walking) from i) the main strip on King Street - you can see the Bell Tower on the Sun Room; ii) the Waterfront Park (Lake Ontario); and, a little longer walk, to the Via Train station.  George Street has been designated Heritage Street but the building is "Heritage Free".

I think the price point is an excellent value with all the work done and being in a prime location.

My favourite is something that Annette has done - all the light switches in the house controls the upper socket in each room!  Small detail but so convenient!  I also like the lay-out vis-à-vis privacy for the occupants.  I see the building in three comfortable zones.  The Lower Back Zone is "self-contained" with a bedroom, 3 pc bathroom and access to the back yard and side entrance with patio.  The wheel chair access ramp is an extension of this patio.  There is also a trap door that opens up for the Full Basement here.

The Second Floor Back Zone comprises of  the Bedroom with a 3 pc Ensuite (Shower) as well, with the Laundry Room next to it and the Back Stairwell and Linen Shelves.

The Second Floor "Sanctum Santorum" Zone comprises of an office which walks through to both a 4 pc Ensuite to the Bedroom and the Sun Room which runs the length of the side of the house.  This is the prize.

The other Second Floor "Sanctum Santorum" Zone comprises of two separate bedrooms with individual Ensuite (4pc @) and a well lit sitting area with the mini-library (built-in shelves).

Finally, there is the front "mini" zone with the wheel chair equipped bedroom which was the library of the original house with the fireplace closed off.

 

Ground Floor ~ 9'5" Ceiling

Foyer - Centre Hall
 

Glass Panes crown the doorway.

Living Room
17' 6" x 16' 3"
Hardwood Floor

Antique Decorative Fireplace with Carved Wood Mantel and Decorative Ceramic Tile Insert

2 x Picture Windows

Centre Crown Moulding with electrical

Single Door to Centre Hallway

Double Pocket French Doors to Dining Room

Dining Room

17' 6" x 15' 9"

Hardwood Floor

2 x Large Windows

Antique Decorative Fireplace with Carved Wood Mantel and Decorative Ceramic Tile Insert

Server Window from Kitchen

Single Door to Centre Hallway with magnetic holder

Double Pocket French Doors to Dining Room

Centre Crown Moulding with Chandelier (original)

Kitchen

20' x 0" x 8' 2"

2 x Windows

Centre Island

Built-in Shelves (may be closed off as floor-to-ceiling cabinet)

Walk-out to side Porch through Double French Doors

Linoleum Floors

Double Stainless Steel Sinks

Ceiling Fan

Back Suite

Sitting Room

 

 

 

 

Bedroom No.1

 

 

 

Bathroom

 

15' 3" x 7' 1½"

 

 

 

 

12' 7" x 14' 5"

 

 

Hardwood Floor

Wall-to-Wall Windows and Entrance Door

Walkout to Side Porch with Wheel Chair Ramp

Walkout to Back Gardens

Access to Full Basement

 

2 Windows

Wall-to-wall carpet

Irregular Shape

 

3 pc (Shower)

Linoleum Floor

Bedroom No. 2 (Front Suite)

Ensuite

13' 4" x 12' 5"

Wall-to-wall carpet

2 x Windows

3 pc

Oversize shower to accommodate physically challenged individuals

Second Floor ~8' 10¾" Ceiling Fire Resistant Walls at Landing

Office / Bedroom No. 3

 

 

Ensuite Bath Room

11' 9" x 11' 2"

Hardwood Floor

Window

Double Door access to Sun Room

Single Door access to Ensuite (4pc)

Linoleum Floor

Sun Room
31' x 10'
Broadloom
Wrap Around Windows
Bedroom No. 4
Ensuite Bath Room
13' 3"x 12' 7"

Hardwood Floor

Window

Single Door access to Sun Room

Single Door access to Ensuite (4pc) - Shared with No. 3

Linoleum Floor

Bedroom No. 5

 

 

Ensuite Bath Room

13' 3" x  13' 6"

Wall-to-wall carpet

Ceiling Fan

2 Windows

Single Door access to Ensuite (4pc)

Built-in Cabinetry

Linoleum Floor

Bedroom No. 6

 

Ensuite Bath Room

 

15' 9" x 13' 1"

Wall-to-wall carpet

Window

4 pc

Antique Wall Paper

Built-in Cabinetry

Linoleum Floor

Bedroom No. 7

 

Ensuite Bath Room

 

13' 4" x 16' 9"

Wall-to-wall carpet

2 x Windows

3 pc (Shower Stall)

Linoleum Floor

Laundry Room
   

Sitting Room

 

Access to Back Stairs

 

Wall-to-wall carpet

Window

Linen Shelves

     
Garage   One-Car Detached

        

Information of Interests At-A-Glance

200 AMPS Tax 2002 = $3,921.12 Lot Size = 148' x 104' Smoke Detector Emergency Lighting

Smoke Detector Two Porches Five Exits Unfinished Full Basement with Walk-up

Utilities Costs

2002 2001 2000
Gas $2,476.32 $1,818.09 $1,955.04
Hydro/Water $1,375.50 $1,203.36 $1,310.36
Water Tanks $392.48 $359.12 $341.23

 

More Pictures

 

Exterior Pictures

41 Seconds to Open with a 56.6 kbps modem

Interior Pictures

76 Seconds to Open with a 56.6 kbps modem

 

 

GreatCanadianCountryEstates Home

Telephone:  416.441.2888 x 522 Cellular:  416.809.0909 /1.888.232.2088

Facsimile:  416-441-9926  Direct Fax:  1(866) 556-0823

Address:  2145 Avenue Road, Toronto, Ontario   M5M 4B2 Canada

Top of Page

All information and statements contained here, provided by Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. Brokerage regarding property for sale, rental or financing is from sources deemed reliable and assumed correct, but no warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy thereof and same as is submitted subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, rental or other conditions, prior sale or withdrawal without notice.

Member of the Toronto Real Estate Board