FRESH BRICK: July 2014

Friday, July 25, 2014

FRENCH CHAT-OMG!

32 Aberdeen Avenue, Hamilton, ON
This home may not be old (built in 1986) but what it lacks in years it makes up in character! Thankfully this custom built masterpiece avoided many of the design tragedies witnessed by the 80s. This French Chateau-Style home was built with passion and vision, and it shows! I love the arched dormers, mansard roof and porthole windows. An the icing on the cake is the LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! 32 Aberdeen is member to a club of the city's most exclusive homes. Some lucky buyer will not only be MOVING IN but MOVING UP!

VIEW LISTING HERE

FRESH FOR THE PICKING AT $1.3 MILLION

Photos by Tom Vogel, www.vogel-creative.com

ALSO FOR SALE ON ABERDEEN

RECENTLY SOLD ON ABERDEEN

FRESH FEATURES:

5,500 sq ft home

Panoramic view from the terrace

4 baths, and 2 powder rooms

5 bedrooms

Octagonal gallery on the second floor overlooking the lower level

Solid wood doors, custom windows, and 10 ft ceilings

Huge French Country kitchen

Beamed ceilings, hardwood and more

Additional 1,500 sq ft lower level has in-law potential with walkout basement

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Over-sized double garage, stone terrace, and walled garden

English cobble stone front

FRESH FACTS:

Built for the Goldblatt family in 1986 - pillars of the Jewish Community in Hamilton since the turn of the last century - Known as the pre-eminent philanthropic family in Hamilton. Read related story HERE

Designed by world renowned interior designer, Harvey Sobel (recently deceased, at age 80)
Born in Toronto, but moved to Hamilton's Fairholt Road as a little boy with his older brother, Sam, mother, Gertrude, and father, Louis, who operated a men's clothing shop in the Lister Block.
Harvey Sobel was a world renowned interior designer or as he would like to say, "Social worker for the rich and very rich." Throughout his career he received numerous awards in Canada and the U.S. in recognition of his talent.

" He rapidly segued into exquisite furniture, antiques and priceless objets d'art that he found in every corner of the world and purchased for himself, his showroom or his growing roster of well-to-do clients. Having one's house done by Harvey became a status symbol."

Read about Harvey's old home HERE

HAMILTON MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014

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Friday, July 11, 2014

CHISOLM HOME circa 1850s

"The brim of the Escarpment provides many breathtaking views, reminders to Hamiltonians of who they are and what forces have shaped their city...For all of its foibles and frailties, Hamilton is blessed with uncommonly beautiful building stock, some of which dates back to the city’s childhood."
- Michael Gordon , Hamilton Magazine, Spring 2010 Interiors issue

77 Claremont Drive, Hamilton, ON circa 1850s

This home is truly the "summer block-buster" of the Real Estate market. And all the hype is worth it. What's not to get excited about this solid limestone manor that pre-dates confederation!?

FRESH FACTS

The previous owners had torn antique wallpaper matched and refabricated by custom contractors during a restoration directed by the former curator of Whitehern. To my disappointment the current owners have removed. Good thing there is lots more character to love in lieu of this tragedy. Befores and Afters:

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A discreet trap-door hidden under the living room rug – the space was originally the dining room – leads to a crawl space in the basement. It has been suggested that during the days of Prohibition, forbidden liquor could be stealthily squirrelled away when scornful eyes paid a visit.
The home’s namesake was James Chisholm, lawyer to the McQuesten family, and Whitehern staff have discovered correspondences that hint at convivial social relationships.

FRESH FEATURES