leslieville dollhouse

Toronto's iconic life-sized dollhouse is going up for sale

One of Toronto's most iconic homes, thanks to its equal measures of kitsch, cute and creep factor, is going up for sale.

For decades, the so-called Leslieville Dollhouse has been delighting neighbours (and scaring a few, too) with its condensed collection of dolls, figurines and other decorations that encrust the home's entire front facade — yard included.

From Christmas blow molds that seem to stay up year-round to a selection of Barbie dolls in various states of dismemberment, the house is as charming as it is eerie — but it's a neighbourhood fixture that Leslieville residents wear with pride.

It looks like things might soon be changing for the property at 37 Bertmount Ave., though, as "For Sale" signs have appeared amongst the colourful rubble.

While the home hasn't been listed just yet, buzz is already spreading about the home, and listing agent Nadine Comeau tells blogTO, its future isn't set in stone.

Will the dollhouse be maintaining its fanciful exterior? Nadine says that'll be up to the current and future owners to decide.

"Most likely everything will be cleared out," Nadine tells blogTO. "I'd be surprised if the future buyers wanted to keep it."

Acknowledging the home's more than three-decade long stint of spreading joy and wonder in the neighbourhood, though, Nadine adds that the current owners would "be thrilled to leave something behind to keep the memory alive."

Regardless of whether the future homeowners opt to keep the tradition of adorning the house with toys, though, Nadine says that there'll likely be an event in the works where community members can stop by to show their appreciation for the Dollhouse.

"We're hoping to have a weekend or a day where the community can pick something up [from the house] and take it home with them," Nadine tells blogTO, though the exact event has yet to be set in motion.

While it's certainly the end of an era regardless of what the house's future holds, Nadine muses on the positive legacy that the home — and its residents — have had on the neighbourhood.

"It's amazing how much joy it brings," she tells blogTO, "and the family who lives there are the most wonderful people."

"I once asked the woman who owns the home why she did it," Nadine says, "and she said 'I just want to make people happy. I love people.'"

The listing is set to go live on Thursday, July 11, so it's only a matter of time before the Leslieville Dollhouse enters its new era — whatever that looks like.

Lead photo by

blogTO


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