London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025

In Toronto, a Quirky “House Within a House”

In Toronto, a Quirky “House Within a House”

This brick-clad, three-bedroom home by Hatch Designs holds an 1860s cottage within its contemporary shell.

If you’re hunting for an eclectic home with loads of character, look no further than this "house within a house" in Toronto, Canada. Designed by architect Michael Hatch in 1982, the Cabbagetown residence offers spacious living areas, effortless indoor/outdoor flow-and a restored Victorian cottage within its multilevel interior.



The renovated property sits on a quaint, tree-lined street, just steps away from Riverdale Farm-a working, 7.5-acre farm located in downtown Toronto which opened in 1978.

Hatch preserved the original facade of the 1860s cottage as a focal point within the new structure.

Hatch, founder of the Toronto-based, family-owned firm Hatch Designs, preserved the 19th-century structure by designing a new dwelling around it, blending the two eras while preserving the cottage’s red brick facade. "It offers an exquisite expression of contemporary architecture and design carefully curated for modern, urban living," notes listing agent Ronald Reaman.



Refinished hardwood floors run throughout the ground level, connecting the living spaces.



In addition to boasting all new appliances, the kitchen offers ample storage and counter space.

Spread across three levels, the property presents a spacious layout, with the main living areas nestled on the ground floor. The large, custom kitchen-fitted with stainless-steel counters and a raised breakfast bar-leads to the family room, where glass doors extend the living space out to the backyard.

Steps away, in the light-filled atrium, a spiral steel-and-glass staircase unites the various levels while amplifying the home’s industrial vibes. Located on the second floor, the primary bedroom features an ensuite bath and a private sundeck.



Skylights and wall-to-wall glass doors create a light-filled atmosphere in the living room.



The room is anchored by a wide, central fireplace.

Outside, the property has a large, fenced-in backyard and a detached two-car garage with a TESLA charging station. Scroll ahead to see more of the renovated residence, now seeking a new owner.



Extensive glazing can also be found in the primary bedroom, which has a private terrace.



Lined with marble, the en suite bath includes a large glass shower and a soaking tub.



A look at another one of the home’s three bathrooms.



The backyard is a private city escape, complete with an outdoor lounge and dining area.



A sizable lawn is sandwiched between the backyard deck and detached garage.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Europe’s Largest Defence Groups Set to Return Nearly Five Billion Dollars to Shareholders in Twenty Twenty-Five
Abu Dhabi ‘Capital of Capital’: How Abu Dhabi Rose as a Sovereign Wealth Power
Diamonds Are Powering a New Quantum Revolution
Trump Threatens Strikes Against Iran if Nuclear Programme Is Restarted
Apple Escalates Legal Fight by Appealing £1.5 Billion UK Ruling Over App Store Fees
UK Debt Levels Sit Mid-Range Among Advanced Economies Despite Rising Pressures
UK Plans Royal Diplomacy with King Charles and Prince William to Reinvigorate Trade Talks with US
King Charles and Prince William Poised for Separate 2026 US Visits to Reinforce UK-US Trade and Diplomatic Ties
Apple Moves to Appeal UK Ruling Ordering £1.5 Billion in Customer Overcharge Damages
King Charles’s 2025 Christmas Message Tops UK Television Ratings on Christmas Day
The Battle Over the Internet Explodes: The United States Bars European Officials and Ignites a Diplomatic Crisis
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie Join Royal Family at Sandringham Christmas Service
Fine Wine Investors Find Little Cheer in Third Year of Falls
UK Mortgage Rates Edge Lower as Bank of England Base Rate Cut Filters Through Lending Market
U.S. Supermarket Gives Customers Free Groceries for Christmas After Computer Glitch
Air India ‘Finds’ a Plane That Vanished 13 Years Ago
Caviar and Foie Gras? China Is Becoming a Luxury Food Powerhouse
Hong Kong Climbs to Second Globally in 2025 Tourism Rankings Behind Bangkok
From Sunniest Year on Record to Terror Plots and Sports Triumphs: The UK’s Defining Stories of 2025
Greta Thunberg Released on Bail After Arrest at London Pro-Palestinian Demonstration
Banksy Unveils New Winter Mural in London Amid Festive Season Excitement
UK Households Face Rising Financial Strain as Tax Increases Bite and Growth Loses Momentum
UK Government Approves Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedford Poised to Rival Disneyland Paris
UK Gambling Shares Slide as Traders Respond to Steep Tax Rises and Sector Uncertainty
Starmer and Trump Coordinate on Ukraine Peace Efforts in Latest Diplomatic Call
The Pilot Barricaded Himself in the Cockpit and Refused to Take Off: "We Are Not Leaving Until I Receive My Salary"
UK Fashion Label LK Bennett Pursues Accelerated Sale Amid Financial Struggles
U.S. Government Warns UK Over Free Speech in Pro-Life Campaigner Prosecution
Newly Released Files Shed Light on Jeffrey Epstein’s Extensive Links to the United Kingdom
Prince William and Prince George Volunteer Together at UK Homelessness Charity
UK Police Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’ as Authorities Recalibrate Free Speech Enforcement
Scambodia: The World Owes Thailand’s Military a Profound Debt of Gratitude
Women in Partial Nudity — and Bill Clinton in a Dress and Heels: The Images Revealed in the “Epstein Files”
US Envoy Witkoff to Convene Security Advisers from Ukraine, UK, France and Germany in Miami as Peace Efforts Intensify
UK Retailers Report Sharp Pre-Christmas Sales Decline and Weak Outlook, CBI Survey Shows
UK Government Rejects Use of Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Aid for Ukraine
UK Financial Conduct Authority Opens Formal Investigation into WH Smith After Accounting Errors
UK Issues Final Ultimatum to Roman Abramovich Over £2.5bn Chelsea Sale Funds for Ukraine
Rare Pink Fog Sweeps Across Parts of the UK as Met Office Warns of Poor Visibility
UK Police Pledge ‘More Assertive’ Enforcement to Tackle Antisemitism at Protests
UK Police Warn They Will Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’
Trump Files $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC as Broadcaster Pledges Legal Defence
UK Says U.S. Tech Deal Talks Still Active Despite Washington’s Suspension of Prosperity Pact
UK Mortgage Rules to Give Greater Flexibility to Borrowers With Irregular Incomes
UK Treasury Moves to Position Britain as Leading Global Hub for Crypto Firms
U.S. Freezes £31 Billion Tech Prosperity Deal With Britain Amid Trade Dispute
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Potential UK Return Gains New Momentum Amid Security Review and Royal Dialogue
Zelensky Opens High-Stakes Peace Talks in Berlin with Trump Envoy and European Leaders
Historical Reflections on Press Freedom Emerge Amid Debate Over Trump’s Media Policies
UK Boosts Protection for Jewish Communities After Sydney Hanukkah Attack
×