Inside the $6M Summerhill home rebuilt from studs up
Only one original wall remains. Everything else — from the brick to the smart home — was rebuilt to an obsessive standard.
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A Summerhill home at 55 Farnham Avenue is not like other Toronto renovations. It doesn't have a few pot lights and white oak floors. It was taken to the studs and rebuilt so thoroughly that only one original side wall remains standing. This is essentially a brand-new custom home wearing a heritage address.
The reconstruction happened in 2020. WPML oversaw the build. Setless Architecture designed it. Tanya Bonus handled interiors. Earth Inc. landscaped. This wasn't a quick flip. This was obsession.
From the street, Petersen Tegl brick, a zinc roof, and crisp modern lines give it understated, timeless appeal. The exterior reads restrained. Inside is where the detail work lives.
The main floor opens with a foyer that has enough built-in storage to make most Toronto homeowners jealous. The living room centers on an elegant fireplace before opening into a grand dining area built for hosting. At the rear, a kitchen outfitted with Miele, Wolf, and Sub-Zero appliances flows into a bright family room overlooking the backyard. There's a statement Galley workstation sink for anyone who takes meal prep extremely seriously.
Upstairs, the second floor has three generously sized bedrooms and a laundry room with ample hanging and drying space. The entire third floor is reserved for the primary suite — a full floor devoted to one bedroom. It comes with a south-facing IPE-clad balcony, a spacious walk-in closet, and a spa-inspired ensuite.
The extras are relentless. Two-zone HVAC. Radiant-heated basement floors. Heated entryways and bathrooms. A heated driveway and walkways so you never have to shovel snow. Full smart home integration for Lutron lighting, audio, blinds, and security. Hollace Cluny lighting. Unik Funkis windows and doors. IPE decks. A newly landscaped backyard finished in 2025 with a fresh patio and AstroTurf. Even the grass is overachieving.
The one mildly humbling detail? No garage. You'll still pay a front pad parking fee. But the recent price drop may soften that blow. The house hit the market earlier this year at $6,595,000. It's now listed for $6,095,000 — a $500,000 cut.
Half a million sounds dramatic to most people. In Summerhill, it's the luxury real estate equivalent of finding a $5-off coupon. The neighbourhood regularly sees homes sell north of $6 million.
Unlike some Toronto luxury listings priced entirely on postal code prestige, this one at least has the craftsmanship to back it up. The rebuild, the materials, the systems, the integration — it's a house where every detail was designed to outlast the next owner. That kind of building discipline is becoming rare at any price in the city.