North York luxury home selling for $9 million packed with 2,000-bottle wine cellar and resort backyard

A custom-built North York home listed for $8,980,000 showcases how dramatically a property can transform in five years. The residence at 96 Dawlish Avenue packs nearly every luxury amenity imaginable — a 2,000-bottle climate-controlled wine cellar, private elevator, home theatre, sauna, gym, dog wash, and a resort-calibre backyard with heated concrete pool.

In 2021, the same property was listed for $3,998,000 and described simply as a "lovely livable family home." The classic four-bedroom, four-bathroom house had traditional charm but interiors clearly due for renovation. Whoever purchased it then decided a full rebuild was warranted.

The new custom residence was designed and built with interiors by Wise Nadel Design and landscaping by John Lloyd Landscape Architect. The exterior alone is a showcase of high-end materials: Indiana limestone, Highland slate roofing, solid flagstone, custom architectural metalwork, and aluminum-clad windows. The massive pivoting front door features solid brass handles and precision German hardware.

Inside, French white oak hardwood floors, white oak staircases, custom Bellini cabinetry, solid brass hardware, and intricate marble mosaic work run throughout. The stone selection reads like a geological survey: Blue Moon Quartzite, Blue de Savoie, Taj Mahal Quartzite, Bianco Fulmine, Calcite Azul, Dolomite, Nero Marquina, White Opal, Camouflage and Incognitus Quartzite all appear in the interiors.

The kitchen is enormous with custom cabinetry and dramatic stone slabs, while main living spaces feature soaring ceilings and oversized windows. The wine cellar, built by Rosehill Wine Cellars, can hold over 2,000 bottles and sits on the lower level alongside a home theatre, gym, dry sauna, and heated floors.

The south-facing 57-by-150-foot lot has been transformed into a retreat with a heated concrete swimming pool, three linear water features, covered outdoor living area, custom outdoor kitchen, landscaped gardens, and extensive patio space. The driveway is heated as well, eliminating snow-shovelling concerns. Behind the scenes, the property runs on automated irrigation and a fully integrated Control4 smart-home system managing security and central media.