Hidden in a laneway between Little Italy and Trinity Bellwoods is this utterly unique home.

It's actually the first time this home has been up for sale in 25 years, according to the real estate agent, so you know it's special.  

The upstairs family room with walk-out to a balcony. 

The property, located at 24 Treford Place, has over 5,500 square feet of living space that's divided over a two-storey residence and a large studio space.  

The landscaped gardens completed with low-maintenance ground cover and mature trees.

Both of the structures are surrounding a private courtyard-like garden with pear trees and Japanese Maples.

The outdoor sauna. 

There's also an outdoor sauna that's inside what appears to be shipping container. The sauna was actually designed by Castor Design and has solar-powered audio and lighting.

The primary bedroom with a fireplace. 

If you value privacy but still like to be downtown, this house is the best of both worlds.

The dining area, which opens directly to the main garden. 

The home is surrounded on all four sides by laneways so it's practically a secret. 

The living room. 

The main residence is bright with an open concept main floor. There's also plenty of walk-outs to the garden so you truly get that indoor-outdoor living feel. 

Custom built-in shelves in the family room. 

Upstairs are two bedrooms and the family room with cool shelving that, according to the real estate agent Paul Johnston is "tetris" inspired. 

The studio building. 

Next to the main home is an artist studio with more than 3,000 square-feet of space. 

The column-free space offers over 2600 square feet on the main level and a loft of 650 square feet is ideal for office or further creative uses. 

The studio includes a kitchen, lounge area and two bathrooms. 

The kitchen in the main house. 

"[It's] perfect for creative pursuits, a collector’s gallery or easily adapted to expand the residence, the studio is a facility of rare size and scale," says Johnston. 

Office space in the main home, which could also be a second bedroom. 

All this combines to a $4,985,000 laneway property that might  just be the coolest piece of real estate on the market right now. 

The studio space.