Stately Crescentwood two-and-a-half storey abode truly one-of-a-kind

A home just doesn’t happen — it’s created.

That’s exactly what the longtime owners did with a stately two-and-a-half storey home situated on a 108-by-135-foot lot at 134 Harrow St. in Crescentwood — create a quietly spectacular home, over the span of three decades.

Built in 1914, the sprawling home is a throwback to a time when craftsmanship was king with its commanding silhouette speaking to its one-of-a-kind, early 20th-century design.

That time period is underscored inside courtesy of high baseboards, hand-hewn red-oak hardwoods, ornate crown mouldings and a delightful collection of special spaces.

Light, airy and just like new: Make this luxury home your own

Thanks to U.S. tariffs and ever-rising construction material prices, it’s never been more costly to build a luxury home.

Mid-century modern marvel

Sometimes when you envision a home, it can come close to perfection. That’s what happened in 1964 when architect Roy Sellors designed a 1,996 sq. ft. bungalow for an oversized lot at 71 D’Arcy Drive in University Heights.

Well-built bungalow is a homey haven

These days, purchasing a brand-new house can cost a family $650,000 or more.

Wonderful Wellington: Houses like this don’t come along every day

One of the most indelible images of Wellington Crescent is of the stately, early 20th-century homes lining the street amid stands of mature trees.

This timbered rustic retreat will wow you

As exciting as city life can be, there are times when many of us dream of getting away from the stress of our high-paced, ultra-busy lives.

On challenging days, our thoughts often go back to time spent off-grid, either camping or at a cottage set well off the beaten path — times when life was quiet and filled with beauty.

When the frenetic pace of the city becomes too much, some people start looking for a way to lead a simpler life.

That could mean finding a place to raise a family in a safe neighbourhood that offers outdoor activities for kids, or downsizing to an area that promises solitude and tranquility after many years of commuting to the office in heavy traffic.

Wolseley Classic boasts modern charms

Few neighbourhoods in Winnipeg capture people’s imaginations the way Wolseley does.

Elegance all the way

If there’s one thing everyone wants when they come home after a long, challenging day, it’s peace and quiet.

And, if possible, a generous helping of beauty.

That’s understandable. Peace, quiet and beauty are balms for the soul. Too often, we don’t get enough of either in today’s fast-paced world. And there aren’t a ton of places within Winnipeg city limits where you can fully get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

But there is one such place in a little enclave tucked away at the end of North Drive where the old Wildewood Club used to stand.

Seeing is believing

Every now and then, as you walk or drive through a neighbourhood, you encounter a home that stands out from all the others on the street.

One such place is the 94-year-old, two-storey home found at 322 Queenston St. in North River Heights.

One of the first things you notice is the meticulous landscaping. Not a blade of grass is out of place, and all the plants, shrubs and trees that surround it give it a welcoming feel that’s amplified by its quaint, cottage-like exterior.

Right from the get-go, you sense there’s something special about the place.

Former cottage now a spacious house with loft

There are some communities that go unnoticed when they richly deserve more attention.

One such gem is the enclave of Spruce Bay Heights, which lies about 15 minutes north of Gimli.

Carved out of dense forest, it houses a wonderful collection of homes and cottages that are surrounded by mature trees that gives the residences — which are set well back on large lots — a pleasing sense of privacy and tranquility.

That being the case, not many of the homes come up for sale, because the folks who live there year-round or spend their summers there treasure being able to spend time in such a calm, laid-back setting.

This stylish condo awaits in a sought-after locale

When you think of Wellington Crescent and condominiums, you probably picture the prestigious, towering buildings on the street’s west side that are home to a host of luxurious suites.

When you drive south on the famous Crescentwood thoroughfare, your attention is often drawn to the right side of street by the fascinating row of monoliths. Which is a shame, because there are some special condominiums on the other side of the street — including the small cluster of skilfully designed townhouse-style condos on a compact tract of land just south of where River Avenue and Wellington meet.

“They were built in 1994,” says Andrea McDonald of Coldwell Banker Preferred Real Estate. “Just five were built, and they are all multi-level style townhomes.”

Those condos are now 31 years old, which means that — much like their brethren on the other side of the street — the units might reflect their age. Although 31 isn’t old in human terms, it can be in housing terms.

A gourmet’s dream

Sometimes, life takes an unexpected turn.

In this instance, a family built their dream home on a huge lakefront lot in Bison Run, expecting to spend many years enjoying all it had to offer.

Then, life happened.

“They were going to relocate here and now they aren’t because something significant came up to change their plans,” says Lisa Castro of Coldwell Banker Preferred Real Estate. “So, a home that was beautifully designed and built by Sterling Homes is available.”

A perfect fit for first-time buyers or empty-nesters

Homebuyers looking for a starter home often probably look at real estate listings and idly wonder if $300,000 gets you much anymore.

It’s a valid question.

At that price point, the reality is that a home might require numerous upgrades to endow it with modern function and style.

Colin McTavish of the new brokerage firm Real Broker says he and colleague Eric Neumann just listed a one-and-a-half storey home at 522 Craig St. in Wolseley that has much to offer for just under that magical $300,000 mark.

Stunning Headingley home feels like a private resort

For some reason, certain neighbourhoods just seem to fly under the radar.

One of those is Marston Meadows.

Situated on the north side of Roblin Boulevard, less than a kilometre from PR 334, the community is neatly tucked away on a mature tract of land that runs mostly parallel to the Assiniboine River.

Most of the homes there are not only buffered from Roblin by Marston Drive, but sit on huge, mature lots that are surrounded by old trees, making for a calm, quiet atmosphere.

Cosy home in River Heights has big appeal

When you’re looking for a starter home, it’s easy to write off a smaller house due to the possibility of space constraints.

That’s totally understandable, because when it comes to a home that’s 700 square feet or smaller, either it’s livable or it’s not.

Mike Leclerc of Royal LePage Top Producers says the 642 sq. ft. house he just listed at 421 Centennial Street in River Heights fits easily into the former category.

“This home’s floor plan is simply fabulous,” he says. “Even though it’s under 650 sq. ft., all the available space is very well used, and the home has also been thought out extremely well. It’s a very functional home.”