The iconic residential ‘dollhouse’ in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood was sold late last month for $900,000, which was about $100,000 below the listing price. Even with all the media fanfare surrounding the tourist attraction, the new owner of 37 Bertmount Ave. told blogTO that he was initially unaware about how renowned the home was!
The owner, who works as a builder, told the publication that he and his husband wanted to purchase and renovate a house that needed “some extra love”, and the dollhouse will require a major clear-out of the front yard as well as a lot of work on the inside.
The renovations will, unfortunately, include removing the dolls from the front lawn as the owners need room for their disposal bin.
“We’re not looking to go in and just tear it down but we need the space for the bin,” the owner, who preferred to be unnamed, told the publication.
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Since the dolls have been a staple of the community in recent years, the owners will allow people to come and admire the dolls one last time. On Sunday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., people can head to the Leslieville dollhouse at 37 Bertmount Ave. and pick up a souvenir from the property in exchange for a PWYC donation.
“We figured we would make a small event of it and allow people to see the dolls in all of their glory, as well as take a favourite home with them! We are asking that those who come by to bring a donation that we will be donating to either SickKids Hospital or a local food-bank,” the owner added.
The Leslieville dollhouse, nestled at near Queen Street East and Jones Avenue, has been a significant tourist attraction in Toronto for more than 20 years and is regularly featured in Insta photos due to its large array of unusual dolls, toys, and knick-knacks.
The landscape of the dollhouse was conceived by the house’s former owner, Shirley Sumaiser, who has owned the semi-detached, three-bedroom home for 50 years. Sumaiser decided to fill the front yard with dolls after her husband passed away, and the unofficial landmark has attracted tourists worldwide ever since.
