Modern Sanctuary
Thoughtfully designed for connection and calm, this Old Thornhill home invites you to slow down and stay awhile.
By Susan Semenak | Photography by Tyler McKeag
Be warned: If you move into this contemporary mansion, you may never want to leave. This Thornhill property, dubbed The ONE, is a modern marvel where architecture, innovation and nature converge in spectacular fashion and it’s now listed for sale by Hammond International Properties.
From the start, the estate was envisioned by its owners as an ode to serene sophistication and bold expression, an expansive and elegant space that is great for entertaining but also punctuated by many small oases conducive to rest and relaxation.
The owners were first drawn to the lot, a remarkable 88-by-278-foot property in leafy Old Thornhill that backs onto a nature preserve. They hired renowned architectural firm David Small Designs to create the house of their dreams, and tapped celebrated Coz Design Inc. to bring life to the interiors.
“It is a very special place, a modern masterpiece. This is a 100 per cent top-of-the-line property where no corner has been cut. Not a single one,” says Sharon Luft, sales representative for Hammond International and certified luxury home marketing specialist.
“Living here would be like having your own private resort. Truly, it’s a sanctuary in many ways.”
Even at first glimpse, The ONE reveals itself as a sculptural triumph with its dramatic expanses of glass, panoramic windows and seamless transitions between interior and exterior spaces. Crafted from natural limestone and supported by structural steel, the nearly 9,000-square-foot residence laid out over three storeys is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass that erases boundaries between home and horizon.
The rooms are curated in a soft, neutral palette that echoes the tranquility of the surrounding landscape. Custom Italian millwork, five fireplaces and elegant stone detailing shape an atmosphere of quiet grandeur and contemporary warmth.
"The nearly 9,000-square-foot residence laid out over three storeys is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass that erases boundaries between home and horizon."
At the heart of the home is the chef’s kitchen, a gastronome’s dream with a granite waterfall-edge island, Miele appliances, Muti cabinetry imported from Italy and a Bertazzoni range with a double oven. A secondary prep kitchen and walk-through servery ensure seamless entertaining. The adjacent dining room, with its custom-designed walnut and granite table, seats up to 16 people. “It’s a great house for throwing a party,” Luft says.
Upstairs, the owners’ suite is more than a bedroom—it is an escape within an escape, complete with a private terrace overlooking lush gardens and a five-piece spa-inspired ensuite with steam shower and a fully appointed dressing room. A steam fireplace that crackles when it’s lit sets a cozy tone, while a coffee bar with a built-in fridge, sink and espresso machine means the owner can enjoy an early morning cup of joe without leaving the comfort of their room. Three additional bedroom suites each boast their own breathtaking views and luxe finishes.
Smart home innovation is integrated throughout with iPad-controlled automation to manage music, lighting, climate and security with a tap. A private elevator designed in classic Art Deco style with green velvet upholstery services all three levels, and the home includes dedicated staff corridors for discreet movement and service.
With heated porcelain floors and insulated limestone walls, the lower level offers yet another luxurious space, complete with a home theatre with reclining seats, a glass temperature-controlled wine cellar, a nanny suite, and a fitness studio equipped with a Himalayan-salt-wall infrared sauna. A large entertainment lounge includes a beverage bar, dining area, steam fireplace and walk-up to the outdoors.
Another resort-like sanctuary awaits outside. The outdoor space is vast enough to accommodate an al fresco living room, lawn area, landscaped flower beds, a vegetable garden and one of the home’s most dazzling features: a stunning infinity-edged salt water swimming pool with a built-in hot tub that appears to vanish into the verdant horizon.
The covered outdoor living room is equipped with a wood-burning fireplace, Bromic heaters, a TEC grill, and retractable phantom screens to keep the bugs out.
But that’s not all; there’s also a year-round cabana that houses a full kitchen with a Malagutti pizza oven, Kalamazoo Gaucho grill, and a secondary al fresco dining area and bathroom. Out front, the driveway, too, is designed to beat winter. It is a dual-layer heated driveway that never needs to be cleared of snow.
Luft says the property is a remarkably private oasis that is close to downtown as well as golf and country clubs, shops, fine dining, and high-quality schools. “It’s so lovely in so many ways,” Luft says. “When you are here, you just want to stay.”