842 Keefer Street

This is the quintessential Strathcona character house on what locals consider to be one of the best streets in the neighbourhood. Perched high up above the boulevard, this Strathcona gem as been lovingly cared for by multiple generations of the same family.

Setting this home apart is its top-notch Strathcona location, the extremely well maintained structure, its combination of modernization and retention of all the heritage elements that you care about, and the outstanding outdoor spaces.

Strathcona is a neighbourhood known for its lovely preserved detached character homes unusually close to the city centre, its creative culture, and its close-knit community.

Almost everything is close by. The Wilder Snail and Maclean Park are just at the end of the block. You can walk to downtown in about 15 minutes, also the seawall in 15 minutes, Chinatown eateries and nightspots are 10 minutes away on foot. On a bike, you’re there in 5. Check out the walkscore tab above for more information. 

Neighbourhood favourites include The Wilder Snail, Union Market, Benny’s Market, Finch’s, the Strathcona Beer Company, Les Amis du Fromage, La Casa Gelato, Luppolo Brewing, and The Heatley. There is so much happening in this neighbourhood with new things popping up all the time, all within close walking distance of this home.

The current owners have done extensive renovations over the years while maintaining many elements of the original character of the house.

The most recent updates include a full interior re-paint, roof replacement (2 years ago), and completely new landscaped backyard with custom cedar patio (this summer). Other more recent renovations include new bathrooms with Kohler fixtures top to bottom, real hardwood flooring throughout, a furnace replacement, etc. 

This is one of those homes that has been religiously maintained and continuously updated over its lifespan. The result is one of the straightest, most solid feeling character homes we’ve yet seen. This would be the ideal candidate for a few cosmetic upgrades inside and out that would push it over the top. This could easily be one of the most beautiful and best sorted character homes in Strathcona.

Character elements that have been maintained include original stained-glass windows, a number of original doors, original fir finishing carpentry throughout, extremely unique turn of the last century pocket doors between the formal dining room and living room, and between the living room and the entrance hall. The current owners also report that the original exterior wood shakes are still intact under the current siding. 

Walking up to the house through the front yard, you immediately notice the overall height of the building lot off the street. The front porch is just up the stairs, and has a nice high aspect over the street with a lovely cross-breeze in the summer. This has been a favourite place to socialize for the current owners and many friends and neighbours as they pass by on the street.

As you first enter the house, you step into the classic character home foyer with its matching staircase. On the main level you’ll find a spacious living room opening up to a beautiful formal dining room. 

A large, open kitchen with a second eating area opens up to a back south facing deck. This space is spacious and perfect for entertaining. 

The kitchen was fully renovated a number of years ago and features Jenn Air stainless steel appliances including a gas stove, professional hood range, refrigerator and dishwasher. These appliances are 5 years old and are in excellent condition.

Upstairs you’ll find two generous bedrooms, and an office/den/ bedroom space. There is a very spacious fully renovated bathroom fitted with a spa steam shower.

The master bedroom faces south, and you can walk right out onto an oversized sunny deck overlooking the garden and the neighbourhood. It’s an eclectic, interesting view with big skies and interesting homes ranging from character originals to ultra-modern laneways. This is the aesthetic the neighbourhood is famous for.

Stairs lead up from this level to the attic room. This is a beautiful space with skylights in vaulted ceilings that reach far overhead. The room is flooded with natural light. 

This would make for a perfect art studio, yoga space, office, kids hide-away play space, a large bedroom, or any number of other uses. It features new carpet and custom made drawers around the perimeter for tons of added storage. This level has peek-a-boo views of downtown and the North Shore mountains and great views of the surrounding neighbourhood.

On the garden level, you’ll find a very large flex-space media room/ den, as well as a fully renovated bathroom, sauna, and laundry room. 

There is a kitchen currently configured as a bar, easily converted to a fully functioning kitchen if one were to have a secondary suite.

The entire lower level is fully finished to the same standards as the rest of the house, the build quality is evident the moment you come down the stairs. Nice structural details like DRI-core sub-flooring are indicative of quality construction. This level also has a gas fireplace.

This garden level is currently used as part of the main house. However, with not too much work it would make an ideal suite with a separate entrance and great ceiling height, perfect for long or short term tenants.

The outdoor space is fantastic. As well as the oversized deck on the main and the upper level and the charming front verandah, the garden level features a newly built cedar patio and a freshly landscaped garden. 

The lower patio is a unique space with good coverage from the elements. When the sun is a little too strong find shade, calm and natural cooling in this space. When the weather takes a turn for the worse, it can still accommodate your bbq plans. The garden features enough lawn for kids to play or pets to run around, while not requiring endless mowing/ maintenance.

A well built, two car garage sits at the end of the yard opening into the alley. This is one of the tidiest garages we’ve ever seen, fully finished, powered, with water lines run to the building. This would make an ideal studio space, secure and modern with fully vaulted ceilings for extra space and volume.

This is the ideal Strathcona classic character house on one of the most desirable blocks/ streets in the neighbourhood. A single family home in a character neighbourhood just minutes to the downtown core is a rare instance in any city. This, combined with a special structure that has been lovingly maintained by generations of the same family makes for one special property.

Come see us at our open houses, or contact us for a private viewing.