This $5.5-million Markham home is a neoclassical property reflecting the owner's European culture

Neighbourhood: Markham- Thornhill

Size: Over 7200 sq. ft. 

30 years ago, a European family built a gated estate located on 78 Elgin Street in Markham, Ont. Over the years, they turned the more than 7200 sq. ft. estate into their home away from home.

Sharon Luft, the home’s realtor, who typically gives each of her listings names, named this one Villa Imperium.

“We named it Villa Imperium because we felt like it’s this really special (and a) timeless kind of piece,” she said. 

Specific features that reflect European heritage

According to Luft, the owners wanted to bring a touch of their European descent when building the house. He did this even in the smallest details. The home has had the same owners since. After the father passed away, his daughter is looking to pass this on to someone who can appreciate the home for its unique features.

Guests are welcomed by an elegant wrought-iron gated entrance. 

The overall architecture adds to the neoclassical ambience of the home. The exterior of the luxury home is designed in a way to give it a castlelike resemblance. 

On the lower level, the living and dining rooms each have their own wood-burning fireplaces as a way to bring forth the European heritage of the owners.

Upon entry, guests are greeted by a regal rotunda where there are double-height 20’ ceilings, Baroque murals, painted by the mother herself. 

“The family lived in Italy for a period of time, and the paintings were inspired by their love of travelling throughout Europe,” said Luft.

Under the murals is a circular staircase, adding to the exquisite European-inspired architecture.

Other features of the home

The home has five bedrooms above grade and one below grade, each with a walk-in closet and a wood-burning fireplace. Luft describes the primary room as” large scale,” measuring roughly 23.5 by 26.5 square feet. The room has separate his and her walk-in closets. There is also a six-piece primary ensuite with natural light coming in from the north and south.

On the same side of the primary suite, there are two other large suites, each with its own ensuites. 

The east side of the home has two additional large suites, which have a shared jack-and-jill style ensuite. 

Along with another bedroom on the lower floor, which has two-story windows with a stunning view of the outdoors, there are other luxury experiences.

There is a 10-foot-wide wet bar. The bar can seat up to six people at the stools. The bar’s counter is made of granite and comes with lots of cabinet storage space and a fridge. 

Relaxation becomes easy at this estate with the home cinema and cedar sauna. 

The fitness studio provides plenty of space to work out. The owner is willing to leave the equipment at the home if the buyer would like. 

However, what stood out to Luft was the backyard. 

“When you step into the backyard, it’s like you’re in this private resort type of environment,” she said. 

Luft said the owners wanted to bring a feeling of the outdoors inside through the vaulted glass ceiling walls, which separate the kitchen from the backyard. 

“Because the property is framed by so much beautiful nature (and) such beautiful mature trees, they wanted to be able to enjoy that while they’re sitting in the kitchen,” she said. 

Outside in the backyard is a shimmering pool surrounded by trees and nature. The company that maintains the pool estimates that it is around 10 feet deep, according to Luft.

The ideal buyer

Luft said the home was initially occupied by a family of four, with each of the bedrooms having an ensuite. 

“We believe that it will probably be a family, someone who can appreciate the historical look — the castlelike look of the home — but may want to just update and to have a little bit of today’s style,” 

Additionally, the home is a few minutes away from schools, fine dining and transit.