The new homeowners of a two-and-a-half-story brick home in Parkdale, Toronto, reached out to local studio DAE Design Architecture Everyday with a hefty project in mind: converting the building’s three apartments back into a single-family home. With a total construction cost of $750,000 CAD (or $571,950 USD), the architects designed an open, spacious dwelling that embraces the couple’s personal style and can accommodate friends and family.

$80 Siding	$4,912.75 Windows & Doors	$23,989.06 Roofing
$14,000 Wall Covering	$31,313.58 Flooring	$7,049.48 Paint
$9,110.75 Electrical	$26,902.02 Plumbing	$27.339.76 HVAC
$25,161.60 Rubbish & Demolition	$15,191.19 Insulation	$27,700 Studs & Drywall
$3,235.11 Interiors	$18,400 Masonry	$2,387.18 Site Rentals
$7,272.25 General Work	$8,541.91 Tiles	$815.23 Landscape Materials
$8,693.14 Lumber	$1,194.66 Mouldings	$1,386 Concrete
$453,592.51 Labor
Grand Total: $750,000 CAD ($571,950 USD)

Minus small repairs to the original brickwork and new windows which matched those existing, the front of the home was left intact. A modern addition at the rear of the home increased the footprint while maintaining the charm of the original street presence. Clad in matte black aluminum, the addition is a contemporary contrast to the historic front facade, yet discreet enough that it tucks behind the original structure, only visible as you walk alongside it.

On the interior, the home was completely gutted through the two-and-a-half floors, with a new underpinned basement dug out. The original brick wall of the house remains, with openings cut through it to the new addition which houses the kitchen and principal suite above.

The main living spaces reside on the first floor open to one another, merely separated by a divided wall. A double-height, vaulted space fills half of the second floor, anchored by a wood-clad massing which includes two bedrooms and a bathroom. The new principal suite and spa-like bath fills the other half in the new addition.

Custom millwork and unique design details maximize storage throughout the home. The simple interior complements the clients’ personal style and unique art collections. Neutral materials create a calm atmosphere perfect for the comfort of a family home.

More Budget Breakdown stories:

A Young Couple Turn a Termite-Infested Shack Into a Luxury Home for $46K

An Architect Builds a 14-Foot-Wide House in Atlanta for $332K

A Seattle Couple Expand Into a Backyard Addition for $413K

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: DAE Design Architecture Everyday Inc. / @dae.studio

General Contractor: M-Squared Contracting Inc.

Structural Engineer: Rampsrasad Engineers Inc.

Interior Design: The Practice of Everyday Design

Cabinetry Design / Installation: Kevin Karst Design Inc.

Appears In

Budget Breakdown: Toronto Architects Make a Historic Brick Home Whole Again for $572K