House of the Week: $999,900 for a 140-year-old house in Centretown

This week, we tour a Victorian house in Centretown with plenty of character — and potential.

Address: 512 Cooper St.
Neighbourhood: Centretown
Agent: C Frances Tracy & Jacqueline Stacey, Coldwell Banker Sarazen
Price: $999,900
Taxes:$ 7,054 (approximately)

The history
Built in 1879, this place is fairly bursting with history. Records show that it was one of the first houses to be built on Cooper Street, and for 20 years it was the only one on the south side between Kent and Bay. Reportedly designed and constructed by the masons who built Lover’s Walk behind Parliament Hill, there are signs of this throughout, such as around the front windows. A brick addition was added in 1904, and in 2001 the kitchen and master ensuite received major renovations. Despite its age it is not protected by heritage status.

The place
From the spectacular staircase to the quirky iron “baby gates” in the front hallway, 512 Cooper is full of Victorian charm. And since it is not protected by heritage status, the next owner can embrace that charm or put a new spin on it. Boasting 11-foot ceilings, a large sunroom, and built-in cabinetry, there are many opportunities here. (Though unfinished, the basement has nine-foot ceilings.)

Here’s the front hallway — those gates at the door to the living room were installed in the 1880s to keep the Yorkshire terriers out of the formal sitting areas:

And here is the living room with fireplace and windows looking on to Cooper Street:

The living room leads to the formal dining room:

Built in cabinetry in the dining room for all your fine china:

The kitchen was remodelled in 20o1 and now includes high end appliances, an industrial hood fan, and a wine fridge:

Let’s check out the sunroom:

Another view, showing the door that leads outside:

Lots of storage (and a great place for hide-and-go-seek):

There’s powder room at the back of the main floor. It’s from the Victorian era:

Biggest selling point(s)
If you love Victorian houses, there are plenty of places to embrace that era — the fireplaces, the stairway, the built-ins. On the other hand, if you are more interested in the location — and who doesn’t love 11-foot ceilings? — there isn’t anything standing in your way of a full gut-and-remodel.

On to the second floor, where a large master bedroom boasts a fireplace and large windows: