My Houzz: A Tower Home Rises in Downtown Toronto
Aiming high, a Canadian couple builds a 5-floor residence on a compact, neglected urban plot
When passersby looked at a small, overgrown lot in downtown Toronto, most just saw a dilapidated shed. But Julie Dyck saw sky-high potential. Dyck lived nearby and often fantasized about the neglected parcel. In 2004 she and her partner, Michael Humphries, took the plunge and purchased the lot for a modest $50,000 Canadian (about U.S.$47,270). They enlisted their friend, high-rise architect Drew Hauser, now a principal at McCallum Sather Architects, to design a house for the 625-square-foot site and spent the next several years nurturing one of Toronto’s most imaginative infill houses.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Julie Dyck and Michael Humphries
Location: Corktown, Toronto
Size: 2,000 square feet; 5 floors including garage; 1 bedroom, 2 studios and 3 bathrooms
Year built: 2011
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Julie Dyck and Michael Humphries
Location: Corktown, Toronto
Size: 2,000 square feet; 5 floors including garage; 1 bedroom, 2 studios and 3 bathrooms
Year built: 2011
It seemed fitting that an architect well versed in high-rise buildings should design a house on a 25- by 25-foot parcel. The plot of land required a scaled-down tower, and that’s exactly what Hauser designed. Functional in its arrangement of spaces, the plan generally locates the living spaces to the south and a block of service spaces to the north.
The lot was zoned for commercial space, so a metal structural system was required by code. Hauser took advantage of this, proudly displaying the structure’s steel skeleton over four of its five floors. He installed balconies at every level to act as fire escapes, cladding the cutout in ipe to lend a sense of warmth and dynamism to the rectangular volume.
The material palette inside is fairly minimal. In the kitchen polished floors and marble countertops are warmed by flat-cut walnut cabinetry. Dyck’s parents originally had the bar stools in their basement; they’ve been a staple in all of Dyck’s homes ever since.
The marble used for the kitchen counters and backsplash was reclaimed from First Canadian Place, the tallest building in the country. A few years ago, the building’s marble cladding was replaced, and Dyck and Humphries selected some of the slabs for use in their home. Coincidentally, the head mason on their project helped install the marble in First Canadian Place back in the 1970s, when it was constructed.
Most of the floors are fairly open, with living spaces delineated by furniture. The kitchen is tucked underneath the floor above, while the side-by-side living and dining areas are located in the central atrium.
The atrium takes up a large part of the house; consequently, Dyck found it difficult to get an accurate quote for the construction costs. She now recommends pricing by volume (including any multiheight spaces) instead of by square footage, as that proved to be the most accurate.
The atrium takes up a large part of the house; consequently, Dyck found it difficult to get an accurate quote for the construction costs. She now recommends pricing by volume (including any multiheight spaces) instead of by square footage, as that proved to be the most accurate.
The voluminous main space is triple height, pulling in light from every direction. The substantial quantity of northeastern light from the stairwell is aided by large windows on each floor and a skylight in the roof that runs the length of the house. All of this results in a space in which the lights can be left off for most of the day.
Visitors often assume that life in a five-story house is physically exhausting, especially without an elevator. Dyck is quick to point out that the most-used spaces are concentrated on three connected floors, just like the average Toronto house.
Visitors often assume that life in a five-story house is physically exhausting, especially without an elevator. Dyck is quick to point out that the most-used spaces are concentrated on three connected floors, just like the average Toronto house.
Having previously lived a 12-foot-wide building, Dyck and Humphries learned to keep only what they truly need. As a result, the space is a study in restraint, populated only by items that will stand the test of time.
Re-Wrap, located just minutes down the road, made the cozy custom corner bench. It was built to surround a cherry kitchen table owned by Dyck’s parents. As she grew up with it, it made sense that it would follow her to the new home.
Re-Wrap, located just minutes down the road, made the cozy custom corner bench. It was built to surround a cherry kitchen table owned by Dyck’s parents. As she grew up with it, it made sense that it would follow her to the new home.
Humphries’ studio is located on the third floor and is open to the triple-height space below. He’s the cofounder of Vouchr, an app that allows users to make custom gift certificates. Both he and Dyck run their businesses from home; she’s the product developer at Presto, a paper-based design company.
The studio easily transitions to allow working during the day and watching movies at night, while the occasional guest can sleep in the Murphy bed, whose alcove is unexpectedly lined with a pop of funky green wallpaper.
The studio easily transitions to allow working during the day and watching movies at night, while the occasional guest can sleep in the Murphy bed, whose alcove is unexpectedly lined with a pop of funky green wallpaper.
The expanse of concrete and white painted steel is warmed by hundred-year-old Douglas fir treads, salvaged from the bottom of Georgian Bay by the Tree Green Team, which specializes in reclaimed wood. Opting not to install any blinds on the triple-height windows, Dyck and Humphries say they happily spend a lot of time waving to neighbors and curious passersby.
The home’s sole bedroom also overlooks the triple-height space. The custom-built white oak bed features a deeply recessed base that makes it look like the mattress is floating. The polished concrete floor is paired with gray lacquered sliding doors (far right) and low-cost Ikea dressers that help keep clutter out of sight.
Samuel Koop built all of the custom cabinetry in the home, including the walnut vanity in the master bathroom. The mirror above is recessed to accommodate a small shelf above the sink.
The marble reclaimed from First Canadian Place can also be found in the master bathroom. It was cut into tiles to surround a freestanding Amalfi tub from Victoria + Albert.
The couple had the concrete floor polished to a near-mirror finish, allowing diffused northeastern light to bounce deeply into the home. They installed a custom bench next to the storage cabinets in the bedroom, forming a small sitting area.
Though it has been shut down for the winter, a south-facing rooftop patio provides memorable views of St. Paul’s Basilica across the street. Outfitted with a generous hot tub and multiple recliners, the rooftop perch is an unexpected respite from the intensely urban surroundings. Dyck and Humphries love to bring their morning coffee up here in the summer, helping them start the day off on the right foot.
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Show us your home!
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
More: Urban Dwelling: How to Take Advantage of a Small Lot