Stormont Avenue Home Addition: A Contemporary Traditional Transformation Begins
Construction has recently started on this major home addition project on Stormont Avenue in North York. Located on a prominent corner lot, the project will transform the existing bungalow into a larger, more functional contemporary traditional home with a new second floor, a rear addition, and a basement second unit.
The project began with a careful review of the existing home, its structure, the available site area, and the opportunities to expand while maintaining a strong connection to the original building. The goal was to create a home that provides significantly more living space while also improving the appearance of the property from both streets.
Expanding the Home Vertically and to the Rear
The primary element of the project is the addition of a new second floor. This allows the home to gain substantial additional living space without relying only on a larger ground-floor footprint. The second-floor addition creates room for new bedrooms, bathrooms, and family areas while giving the house a more complete architectural form.
A rear addition is also included in the project. This extension will improve the main-floor layout and create more generous interior spaces for everyday living. By extending toward the rear, the design provides additional room for family activities, entertaining, and improved connections to the backyard.
The combination of vertical and rear expansion allows the home to grow in a balanced way. The new design responds to the existing structure while giving the owners the opportunity to achieve the size, comfort, and functionality expected from a modern family home.
A Stronger Presence on a Corner Lot
Because the property is located on a corner lot, the house is visible from more than one direction. This created an important design opportunity, but it also required careful attention to both street-facing façades.
Rather than treating one side as the front and the other as secondary, the design considers the overall appearance of the home from both streets. Window placement, roof lines, brick detailing, proportions, and vertical elements were coordinated to create a consistent architectural character around the corner.
The result is a home designed to have a strong presence from every approach. The corner-lot setting also allows the new upper level and updated façades to be appreciated more fully as construction progresses.
The Grand Front Entrance
One of the most important features of the design is the grand front entrance. The entrance serves as the architectural focal point of the home and creates a clear sense of arrival.
The proposed entry is emphasized through its height, vertical proportions, glazing, and prominent staircase. The tall front door and surrounding glass create a welcoming centrepiece while bringing natural light into the entry area. The entrance also helps visually connect the ground floor and the new second floor, making the expanded home feel cohesive rather than simply added onto the existing structure.
The front steps and entry approach are designed to provide a strong transition from the sidewalk to the house. From the street, the entrance establishes a formal centre for the façade and gives the home a distinctive identity.
This feature was especially important because the property is located on a corner lot. A memorable entrance helps anchor the design and strengthens the home’s presence from both visible streets.
Contemporary Traditional Architecture
The architectural style can be described as contemporary traditional, also known as transitional architecture. The design combines familiar residential forms with cleaner, more modern detailing.
Traditional elements include the pitched roof forms, masonry exterior, balanced composition, and formal entrance. Contemporary characteristics are introduced through larger windows, simplified details, modern proportions, and a more carefully organized façade.
This combination allows the home to feel established and residential while still appearing fresh and updated. The design avoids an overly modern appearance that might feel disconnected from the neighbourhood, while also moving beyond the limitations of the original bungalow.
Light-coloured brick, dark roofing, strong window openings, and carefully placed vertical features work together to create a refined exterior. The final appearance is intended to be elegant, durable, and appropriate for a prominent North York corner property.
Including a Basement Second Unit
The project also includes a second unit in the basement. This addition to the design provides flexibility for the homeowners and supports the changing needs of a growing household.
A basement second unit requires careful planning to address layout, access, natural light, ceiling heights, life-safety requirements, and the relationship between the unit and the main dwelling. The design process considered these requirements while coordinating the basement with the overall additions above.
The basement unit is integrated into the project rather than treated as an isolated renovation. Its inclusion forms part of the broader strategy to improve the functionality and long-term value of the property.
Construction Has Begun
Demolition has now started on site, marking the first visible stage of the transformation. Portions of the existing structure are being removed to prepare for the new construction work. This phase requires coordination between the design drawings, structural requirements, and site conditions discovered during demolition.
As construction proceeds, the existing home will gradually take on a new form. The second-floor framing, rear addition, structural reinforcement, and exterior work will eventually bring the design shown in the drawings and renderings into reality.
Cadaxx Design prepared the architectural design, coordinated the structural requirements, and developed the permit drawing package for the project. During construction, the design team can also assist with detail clarification and coordination as the work progresses.
The Stormont Avenue project represents a complete transformation of an existing home through thoughtful planning, careful structural coordination, and a strong architectural vision. With construction now underway, the project is beginning its next chapter—turning an existing bungalow into a spacious, contemporary traditional home with a distinctive grand entrance and a strong presence on the corner lot.
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