By Charlotte Bushnell-Boates
Photography by Amazing Photo Video Inc.
Perfectly secluded yet just at Toronto’s edge, 65 Joseph Street exemplifies timeless luxury. A gem within the historic community of Markham, Ontario, this impeccably built 7,500-square-foot home, currently listed with Cohen Homes & Estates, sits on 1.6 acres of idyllic landscape and combines the best of cottage and city living.
With lush forest views and a peaceful creek—home to great blue herons and small fish—the impressive property cascades down the sloped site. Surrounded by mature spruce and pine trees, the home offers a unique sense of privacy within nature. And from the spacious yard, it can easily be mistaken for a cottage property in Muskoka.
“We built the exterior in a stone architecture that you rarely see these days because it’s so expensive and labour-intensive,” explains the property’s builder, James Reininger, who constructed the house alongside his wife, Annemarie. “As a builder, I chose materials that would have a timeless quality and we really went beyond typical construction, so the quality in the house is just over the top.”
Blending West Coast-style architecture and European design influences, the home features five bedrooms and seven bathrooms across a spacious layout. Throughout, the builder used rich finishes and sumptuous materials, including solid Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring, Venetian-style plaster walls and a dramatic stone fireplace. The floorplan is intended for entertaining—made into an art form with features like a European-inspired wine bar, a billiards room and a hot tub. An expansive 1,550-square-foot wrap-around terrace is perfect for summer meals enjoyed al fresco while a spacious pool offers peaceful forest views.
“The vast windows throughout the home expose the beautiful backdrop of nature at every turn,” Annemarie Reininger says. “And the flow of the house and the optimization of space is so efficient. There’s this incredible attention to detail everywhere you look.”
On the main level, arched entryways and a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired stained-glass skylight provide ample character and charm. High ceilings on the main and lower levels add even more spaciousness to the already generously proportioned rooms, while wide windows admit natural light and views of the greenery beyond. A sunken great room makes for intimate lounging, and mahogany-panelled walls and display cabinets showcase exceptional craftsmanship.
We really went beyond typical construction, so the quality in the house is just over the top.
The gourmet kitchen—centred around a wide granite island—is ideal for both cooking and gathering. High-end appliances allow for contemporary convenience, while a large custom-built dinette tucked in a bay window alcove provides seating for breakfasts and casual meals. Direct access to the wraparound terrace is perfect for meals enjoyed in the fresh air.
A wood staircase with wrought-iron pickets leads upstairs to spacious bedrooms. A retreat unto itself, the Tuscan-inspired primary bedroom presents an effortless feeling of sophistication and ease with a cushioned built-in bench alcove overlooking the forest. An arched hallway leads to a dressing room with custom cabinetry, sleekly concealing generous storage space. The primary ensuite offers luxurious touches, including heated marble floors, his and hers sinks and a spacious tub. Down the hall, additional bedrooms are well-appointed with picture windows, ensuite bathrooms and built-in storage.
The exceptional amenities extend to the home’s lower level, where a gym, billiards room and lounge make for bright recreation, thanks to large sliding doors that lead to the outdoor areas. A separate in-law suite with its own entrance offers comfortable and private guest accommodations.
Throughout 65 Joseph Street, each aspect of the beautifully appointed home has been carefully chosen to maximize relaxation and ease of entertaining within the serene natural surroundings. “It’s a modern country home estate in the city,” explains broker Barry Cohen of Cohen Homes & Estates. “When you’re at the property, you really can feel and appreciate the total tranquility. It’s an incredible place to live—you’re right in the centre of a town and not far from the city, yet you feel like you’re miles away.”