Ottawa Magazine visited this house the day it went on the market. Unbelievably, it was snapped up in six hours; the deal closed in just six days. Here’s the story behind the quick sell.

Neighbourhood: Westboro
Agent: Leo Alvarenga, RealEstating Co.
Price: $1,215,000
Taxes: $7,000 

The history
When an award-winning interior designer teams up with an award-winning architect to build his own home, every detail is bound to be exquisite. The 2017 collaboration between Nathan Kyle of Astro Design Centre and Rosaline Hill of Rosaline J. Hill Architects resulted in a stunning semi-detached infill house in the sought-after neighbourhood of Westboro. Given that Kyle is a kitchen and bath designer, the two most important rooms of the house are incomparable.

The beautiful floating closet in the front hall has two levels of coat racks and six rows of shoe “cubbies”:

An interior designer by trade, owner Nathan Kyle spent a number of years collecting the unique lighting found throughout the house:

The house is 60-feet deep, with the dining room, kitchen, and living room incorporated as three separated but joined spaces. By having the wall “cut in” at the kitchen, the designer could add a large “window wall” across from the kitchen and two vertical windows that let light flow in from three directions:

The place
This semi is all about compact luxury, with smart details that make the most of the space and ensure that light floods into each room. The details are incredible, with cool lighting and faucets throughout that speak to the owner’s background in the design industry. The kitchen is the true centre of the home ­— a workspace and a work of art — with a 17-foot counter that becomes the focal point of every gathering.

This award-winning kitchen has a 17-foot island, walnut butcher-block counter, and many other niche features, including a stunning backsplash with gold leaf:

Two views of the award-winning kitchen. Every detail is customized, including the range hood:

Selling point(s)
A practically new house, designed by an award-winning designer and located within one of the city’s top neighbourhoods. What’s not to like?! Bonus: the basement apartment could be used to help pay off the mortgage.

The master bedroom is located right at the back of the house for privacy:

The floating wardrobe system in the master bedroom boasts 15 feet of storage and a concealed TV for Netflix-and-chill nights:

 

The luxury ensuite “floats” a step above the bedroom and has a heated-floor system. Faucet nerds will appreciate the Danish VOLA showerhead:

Both the heated floor tiles and large-format wall tiles are porcelain:

And the kid’s room:

At the top of the stairs, there’s a nook for a home office:

The basement was turned into an apartment. Airbnb? Granny? Or nanny?

The deck takes up most of the backyard:

Possible deal breaker
A patio takes up most of the compact backyard. Though it’s beautifully designed, green thumbs will chafe at not having any real estate to work with.

 

By the numbers
Just under 2,000 (plus just under 1,000 in the basement)
20-by-102-foot lot
3 bathrooms
3 bedrooms
1 fireplace
Heated driveway
Luxury basement rental suite with private entrance