Converted into a triplex, this expansive Victorian bay-and-gable, three-storey semi-detached house caught our clients' attention as they searched for a family home in that specific neighborhood early 2021. Featuring many original period details—such as stair balustrades and crown moldings—the home offered historic charm that the clients were eager to preserve while transforming the space into a sleek, functional environment for their family of five including their dog.

Previously, all three apartments were accessible from the main entrance via a single staircase leading to all four floors. The clients wished to maintain the basement apartment as a rental unit, providing it with a separate walk-out entrance on the side of the house while reclaiming the upper floors for themselves.

A key design challenge was to honor the building’s historic character while restoring its original function as a single-family home. The layout was reimagined to include a traditional foyer, stair hall, and formal living room and dining room at the front, seamlessly transitioning into a modern, open-concept kitchen and family space at the rear. A large opening was introduced at the rear to connect the new family area with a new, terraced patio in the backyard. Modern solid oak jambs frame the openings between formal spaces, subtly blending the home’s historical elements with the contemporary aesthetic of the rear part of this home.

The interplay of materials and colors enhances the home’s character. Crisp white walls and tall kitchen cabinetry contrast beautifully with the warmth of walnut cabinets and the deep tones of the quartz countertops. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the family space with natural light, ensuring that this east-west-oriented home remains sunlit from dawn until dusk on bright days.

The design’s light and airy feel extends upstairs to the modern primary suite, reinforcing a sense of connectivity across levels. The newly rebuilt rear addition features sleek black steel cladding, harmonizing with the home’s updated aluminum-clad windows. Meanwhile, the terraced patio is finished with thermally modified ash boards and slatted privacy screens, creating a stylish and inviting outdoor retreat.