Nestled in the heart of Thornhill’s Oakbank Pond community is a quiet Tuscany-inspired escape that is awaiting a new family to call it home. Villa D’Este, as it has been appropriately named, sits on magnificently appointed grounds that let you forget you are in the heart of an urban metropolis. Like its namesake in the Tivoli region of Italy, this home offers masterfully crafted classical Italian architecture, stunning water features and terraced gardens that offer an escape from urban life.
“The most beautiful part of this home is its extremely elegant presence on the street. It’s a real standout home in terms of curb appeal,” says Verna Debono, senior luxury sales representative for Hammond International Properties and certified luxury home marketing specialist. She says the home’s exterior offers a classical and timeless European elegance in an estate setting. She notes homes like this do not hit the market that often in the Greater Toronto Area.
As visitors step into the 12,000-square-foot villa, they are instantly captivated by the curved grand staircase with wrought iron detailing that beckons them to explore the rest of this gorgeous abode. The double-capacity ceilings — graced with a rustic, Medieval-style chandelier — reaching a towering 30-feet to provide an open and inviting palazzo feeling.
“It has warmth as soon as you walk in,” Debono says. This continues throughout the home as each room gracefully pulls you into the next for ease of entertaining. Just off the main entrance, the sitting and dining areas provide a cozy, yet majestic space to catch up with friends. An elegant crystal chandelier provides a subtle glow against wine glasses and sparkling silverware.
“This home has a wonderful flow. The living, dining and family rooms are a natural combination,” she says, adding each space is distinct but blends with ease creating a space that feels like home. Debono says the home’s elegant side entrance that opens into a mudroom, provides the perfect extras that families need, with ample storage and a laundry room right off the kitchen for fixing life’s little spills. She notes this space can easily be converted into a highly sought-after second main-floor kitchen with its convenient location next to the main kitchen space.
Debono says this home was designed with welcoming family and friends in mind. The chef-inspired epicurean kitchen is divine, and full of modern appliances that are lightly caressed by fine marble and tile finishes that let you explore your inner celebrity chef. A 700-bottle wine cellar, adjoining the plush home movie theatre, encourages guests to celebrate the finer things in life. The fine wood detailing and built-in bar make it the perfect space for tasting. The rustic red brick gives it a true Tuscan wine cellar feel with shelves that let you proudly show off a fine collection of spirits and wines.
As the sun sets, the second floor awaits with five bedrooms that provide soft places to lay your head. The owner’s suite offers uninhibited views across the immaculately manicured gardens through arched double doors that lead onto a large terrace. Though this home offers plenty of grand views, Debono notes the living space still feels warm and comfortable. “It doesn’t feel excessively large. It’s comfortable with lots of closet space and his-and-hers ensuites. The beautiful tub also offers stunning views of the garden. It’s superior to anything I have ever seen.”
Debono says the resort-style setting draws people to the gardens, which have been curated to offer a lush and relaxing spa-like escape similar to an Italian villa on Lake Como. The elevated, grape vine covered pergola offers shade and relaxation after a swim or dip in the Jacuzzi. A full outdoor kitchen enhances the entertaining experience while the lush grounds offer space for tented parties or formal gatherings with vistas of the Thornhill Golf & Country Club.
Every inch of this palatial home has been carefully planned and executed to the finest detail. A true piece of Italian splendour, Villa D’Este is a home unlike any other in the Toronto real estate market. Like all Hammond International Properties, this home represents the very finest in luxury living, reflecting the essence of elegance and sophistication. “This is an extremely special home and it’s a pleasure to be able to work with such wonderful clients. Our clients have very high expectations and that’s why we offer white-glove service.”