Michael Peart Photography
128 Pears Ave., unit 501, Toronto
Asking Price: $2,995,000
Taxes: $10,880.25 (2023)
Monthly maintenance fee: $2,790.34
Agent: Christopher Bibby, Re/Max Hallmark Bibby Group Realty
The backstory
Jennifer Timmis and her husband were looking for a spacious condo apartment in Toronto when they downsized from a larger house in June of 2020.
Ms. Timmis, who has a background in design for the health care industry, was drawn to a three-bedroom unit at a boutique building known as The Perry near the intersection of Avenue and Davenport Roads.
The previous owners of unit 501 had purchased two units in the boutique building from the builder’s plans and combined them into one with 1,916 square feet of living space.
“My first analysis to look at anything is to look at the space and the use of space,” says Ms. Timmis.
The unit has a split floor plan, with two guest bedrooms and one bathroom on one side and the primary suite on the other, separated by living space in the centre. The kitchen and living and dining areas are open plan.
Ms. Timmis also appreciated the light coming into the south-west facing unit.
The unit today
128 Pears Ave., unit 501, Toronto.Michael Peart Photography
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Ms. Timmis says the unit was already well laid out, but she wanted to make some décor changes.
She had mouldings, trim and doors upgraded. In the kitchen, she added a cabinet and made the island larger.
Today the unit has three bedrooms and a den.
In the unit’s three bathrooms, Ms. Timmis had new vanities installed.
Ms. Timmis also worked with a design firm to choose colours, which was challenging during the pandemic when designers were not able to visit in person.
Throughout the unit, Ms. Timmis displayed the couple’s collection of contemporary Canadian art.
Doors from the living and dining area open to a balcony. A second, smaller, balcony sits off the primary bedroom.
Christopher Bibby, broker with Re/Max Hallmark Bibby Group Realty, says the building is quieter and more discreet than many of the towers nearby and therefore tends to attract owners who live in their units or use them as a pied-a-terre rather than leasing them out.
“It’s very understated,” he says. “So often with hotel condos there’s a coach bus out front dropping off a sports team.”
The finishes are of high quality compared with many downtown buildings, he adds.
There’s a high population of professionals, Mr. Bibby says, along with empty nesters and “people who have an eye for design.”
The best feature
The unit is located in the walkable 'Ave and Dav' neighbourhood, which is becoming an increasingly popular dining destination with new restaurants moving in.Michael Peart Photography
Some of the downsizers who have moved to the walkable neighbourhood come from places outside the Greater Toronto Area, such as Oakville, Ont., Mr. Bibby says.
The “Ave and Dav” neighbourhood has flower and food shops, and Dupont Street is an increasingly popular dining destination with new restaurants moving in.
Yorkville Village, the Royal Ontario Museum and the University of Toronto are nearby.
There’s also good access to transit. A short walk through Ramsden Park brings residents to the Summerhill neighbourhood and The Toronto Lawn Tennis Club.
Access to the trails of the Nordheimer Ravine is also nearby.
“If you’re active, you’re within striking distance of so much,” he says.
Ms. Timmis says she likes “the energy” of the location and the easy walk to parks and museums.
“It has tennis courts, which saved us during COVID.”