57 Castle Knock Rd, Toronto, ON

Set on a 31'-wide lot with 3,000+ SF of living space across the main, second and lower levels, this home has spent the past 55 years growing with the same family. The result is a house with terrific flow, loads of room and several hard-to-find things in Allenby. Start with the private drive and 2-car parking. Then there's the main-floor powder room, properly sized and located rather than shoehorned into whatever three feet of space someone could find. Original hardwood floors and beautiful gothic-arch leaded-glass windows bring the character, complemented by an eat-in kitchen and bright family room that make the main floor unusually generous. And the light, oh my! Morning sunshine spills into the family room, then pours through those gorgeous leaded-glass windows in the living room in the afternoon and evening. The whole main floor flows easily, whether there are four people around the table or considerably more than anyone remembers inviting. Upstairs are three bedrooms, including one with a bright tandem office (with double aspect east and south windows), plus the family bathroom. Downstairs, several books have been written in the office/rec room, with a spectacular jazz collection providing the soundtrack. An enormous bonus room adds even more options: teenager headquarters, gym, games room, guest space, movie room, or somewhere to retreat when family togetherness has run its course. A three-piece bathroom makes the lower level genuinely useful living space. In the Allenby (French Immersion) and North Toronto CI catchments, you're an easy walk to the LRT and Eglinton's shops and restaurants, but far enough away to leave the traffic and noise behind. Fifty-five years with one family tells you something about a house. Having enough room that everyone could stay that long probably helped.