Unique Queen West Fixer-Upper Insights

Queen West: 40 Claremont St $999K - 4 BR - 2 WR - 12.83 x 90.3 ft. lot - Offers April 30

The Trinity Bellwoods townhouse you have been waiting for! Discover this versatile 3 storey townhouse offering endless possibilities with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (including additional rough-in basement washroom), and two kitchens on the main and second floors. The basement features a separate front entrance, while the home's former duplex setup makes it possible to convert back for excellent rental income or multi-generational living. Walk out to the private backyard oasis equipped with a patio deck for hosting friends and family. Perfectly situated in the heart of the highly sought-after Trinity Bellwood's neighbourhood, this property delivers an unbeatable walkable lifestyle. Steps to the iconic Trinity Bellwoods Park with its expansive green space, tennis courts, playgrounds, dog park, and vibrant community events. Enjoy quick access to high-end restaurants, trendy cafes, and boutique shops along Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue - from acclaimed spots like Sud Forno and Teroni to the bustling local scene that defines this dynamic west-end enclave. Live where everything is at your doorstep!

Nick's Notes:

Two weeks ago, I featured a home in Queen West and talked about how homes in Toronto often form around the lifestyle of a neighbourhood, and become a reflection of its cultural identity. It’s not a new or surprising thought. It’s fairly obvious. You’re going to notice commonality in people’s priorities, fashion, and taste within neighbourhoods across the city.

You might be sitting in a neighbourhood right now, assimilated, loving life, and enjoying the balance. Or you might be the outlier, feeling like you don’t belong, or like you’re in transition to another place. Or maybe you are just you, and you couldn’t care less about this philosophical stuff. You live where you live because that’s where you ended up. When you see as many homes and neighbourhoods as I do, it’s hard not to pick up on the trends and the personalities that live there.

In the dining room of 40 Claremont Street, there’s a large bookshelf neatly organizing books about art, fashion, politics, and more. Prominently displayed is the adult children’s book Life Doesn’t Frighten Me. The book pairs Maya Angelou’s poem “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me”, a simple but surprisingly introspective rhyme, with artwork by the late painter Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Basquiat started as a street artist before bridging the gap between street art and the elite fine art world. This house feels like it’s waiting on something similar. Queen West started that transition years ago, back when it was harder and edgier. The home needs a lot of work, but is also an honest representation. The owners are seemingly moving through life in a way where they leave well enough alone. The priority is personal expression. We’ll make do with what we have, and do what we have to, not more, not less - the most important part is that it feels like home. They haven’t gentrified with the neighbourhood and although it doesn't come through well in the pictures, they’ve proudly run the other way.

If you are in the area on Sunday, I suggest you go by the open house to take a look.

Listed By Mitch Stein - Sutton Group-Admiral Realty Inc, Brokerage