A floating home near the Scarborough Bluffs was recently listed for sale in Toronto for $849,000. With just 25 floating homes in all of Toronto, residents who are after that waterfront life might want to jump on this rare opportunity. For float home converts, being part of the neighbourhood’s floating community is an unparalleled experience found nowhere else in the city.

“You can’t beat living right on the water,” says floating home owner and realtor Stefanie Castrilli Carmichael of Exp Realty Brokerage. 

“You can hop on a kayak right off your deck, see swans swim by every morning, walk five minutes to a Blue Flag beach — and all just 30 minutes to Union Station.”

Listed at $849,000, the floating home at 11-7 Brimley Rd. S. has two bedrooms, one bathroom and an attached garden on the other side of the dock. And let’s not forget how its exceptional location makes every day feel like an escape up north.

“More and more people are trying to escape the concrete jungle that is downtown Toronto. This floating home offers the chance to live immersed in nature without spending hours in traffic going to cottage country.“ says Carmichael.

Tucked among a neat row of float houses that bob along the shore of Lake Ontario, 11-7 Brimley Rd. S. offers a once-in-a-lifetime purchasing opportunity that doesn’t come along often — especially in Toronto. 

“While floating homes are common in places like B.C. and Seattle (remember Tom Hanks’ house in Sleepless in Seattle?), there are only 25 in Toronto, which makes them pretty special and means their value has been growing,” says Carmichael.

From the canopy of trees that cascade down the escarpment’s edge to meet the sandy beach to the winding nature paths and wetland sanctuary, the Scarborough Bluffs is always a delight.

“Living on the water has been good for my family’s health and mental health,” says Carmichael. “When the pandemic hit, we barely felt the impact of the lockdowns because we had so much nature and outdoor space around us.” 

Large octagonal windows welcome abundant sunlight into the open-concept living room while double doors can open wide for fresh air and access to the water-level terrace.

The kitchen is stylish and modern. The large island offers ample counter space for meal prepping. 

Carmichael says this location is remarkable at any time of year, including the cooler months when the Bluffs become something of a wonderland.

“People often ask me what it’s like living on a floating home in winter. Yes, we live here year-round — our houses are insulated and heated like a regular home,” she says. “And winters can be just as beautiful — with all the boats out of the water and less people in the parks, you have beautiful views of Lake Ontario all to yourself!” 

The bedroom and home office offer lovely spaces where kicking back comes easy. Imagine the bliss of dozing off to the sound of waves or working from home and being able to take lunch break dock-side.

The upper terrace stretches across the entire rooftop, providing an ideal space for gathering with friends on cloudless days. 

And for those looking for an expanded interior, building upwards is an option, notes Carmichael. “This house also comes with architect designs for a second story, so there’s room to grow.”

Surrounded by picturesque parkland and boundless lake views, this tiny floating neighbourhood at the foot of Bluffers Park offers residents a unique lifestyle and a sense of belonging.

 “The community down on the dock is tight. You have to be — you’re literally tied to your neighbours,” says Carmichael. “But that means you’re never alone.” 

“There’s always someone around to help you out, grab a drink with, or even walk your dog if you’re traveling or running late at work.”

11-7 Brimley Rd. S. is listed with Stefanie Castrilli Carmichael of Exp Realty Brokerage.