This week, we visit a house in Hintonburg that is modern in sensibility but fits in nicely with the surrounding homes.

Address: 143 Bayswater Ave.
Neighbourhood: Hintonburg
Agent: Purple Bricks
Price: $1,495,000
Taxes: $10,800

The history
Built in 2015, this thoughtful infill manages to stand out from — and fit in with — the century-old red brick dwellings on either side. Indeed, the owners, who designed the house with an architect-friend, chose to build on a street that’s a beacon for architects, with three more modern architect-designed dwellings within a five-minute walk along this strip of Bayswater Avenue. In a power move, they eschewed a local agent and sold through Purplebricks, thus avoiding a hefty commission payment.

The place
This tall, slim infill is all about chic luxury, with tall ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows that ensure maximum light floods the space, and incredible views over the city from the rooftop terrace. The house was meant to be the owners’ “forever home” and the attention to detail reflects the care they put into the design. With work taking them to Montreal, they are entrusting it to new owners who can look forward to a light-filled existence and a sexy master bedroom that seems to float above the streetscape.

On the main floor, the living room is light, bright, and open, anchored by a two-sided fireplace and a custom-built entertainment console:

A view through the main floor living area. Keep your sticky fingers away from that shiny glass railing, a feature that ensures a clear view from the mezzanine:

The main floor features the living room at the front, with the kitchen and dining room given a more private space toward the back:

On summer days, walk out onto the cedar deck to enjoy a meal en plein air:

What a great custom red cedar deck! (And, hey, no yard maintenance):

Big selling point(s)
All that light, a super-glam glass-fronted mezzanine, and a rooftop terrace with outstanding views all the way to downtown — it’s no wonder this place sold fast. Bonus: the basement apartment could be used to help pay off that hefty mortgage. Double bonus: It’s just a five-minute walk to all the hipster coffee joints, restaurants, and craft breweries on the Wellington strip.

You can watch the living room TV from the mezzanine level — or watch street life through the windows:

Now that’s a sweet feature! The third floor features a custom coffee bar and mini bar attached to the home office:

Who wouldn’t want an office with this view? The home office on the third floor looks out over Bayswater Avenue:

That mini-bar, though
We all dream of working from home. Now picture working from home from your third-floor office with outstanding views. Now take it one step further and picture your office with an attached wet bar, fully stocked with your favourite coffees, drinks, and snacks. Living the dream.

Located on the quiet back side of the house, the third-floor master bedroom has sweet views over Hintonburg:

Those totally on-trend honeycomb tiles show up in the master bathroom. With all those controls in the shower, it’s got to be good:

Basement income earner
When you’re paying a cool $1.495 million for digs in Hintonburg, having an income earner to help pay down the mortgage is definitely handy. The previous owners said they had no problems finding tenants.

Check out the basement apartment. So versatile! Granny flat? Nanny flat? Separate apartment for your sullen teenager?

A little stair porn for all those design lovers who appreciate a good tread and riser:

Ottawa at night from atop the rooftop terrace:

You can never be too thin — a view of the back side of 143 Bayswater:

Possible deal breaker
Some might consider this place the equivalent of a free exercise regime, but all those stairs aren’t for the faint of heart.

By the numbers
2,500 square feet (excluding the basement apartment)
3 bathrooms
3 + 1 bedrooms
1 fireplace
2 parking spots
Basement rental suite with private entrance