Owner’s turn | A dream house

Owners open the doors to their exceptional home, offered on the resale market.

Posted at 12:00 p.m.

The entrepreneur Norman McKinley built on the foundations of an architect’s house from the 1950s his dream home in Sillery. The luxurious property is now on sale.

The residences that line the cliff in the Sillery district are always wanted. First, because they are set back from the passing arteries, while being a stone’s throw from the city. Then, because some also offer a point of view on the river.

When the entrepreneur Norman McKinley saw a sign for sale on a house that was age in the sector, he made an offer. The property had been drawn in the 1950s by the very first director of the Quebec School of Architecture, Noël Minguy.

“The residence had not aged well,” said agent Vicky Gagnon. Its location was however ideal: the steep terrain was large, there was only one adjacent neighbor and, above all, we saw the river.

McKinley used the old foundations to erect his dream house in 2016: a home where each material, every detail has been carefully thought.

Unfortunately, the businessman had to sell her two years after his construction.

From one dream to another

The current owners visited her in 2018. “It was an immediate love at first sight,” says Laurie*.

The couple sought a contemporary house whose style was unique. The house of McKinley met this criterion: from the first glance, the reverse roof slopes give a singular and original appearance to the property.

The stone and the wood used on the external coating are also found inside the house so as to offer continuity from one space to another.

The external look is not the only code that this property breaks. Life areas are not on the ground floor, but rather upstairs.

Thus, the master bedroom is on the first level, facing the river. Its adjoining bathroom provides access to a balcony where a spa is located, a private place for parents.

Two other bedrooms are on the same floor. They are of identical dimensions and provisions. There is also a large family room with a piano.

“Our two children had left when we moved,” adds the owner. It was the grandchildren who took advantage of it. »»

The walls without plinth, large ceramics, the wood which marries the curves in the stairwell and the home automation equipment add to the luxury of the place.

“When we knew that the entrepreneur had built him for him,” she continues, “that it was the house of his dreams, it put us in confidence. »»

Common life upstairs

A solid oak stairs leads to the second floor. From the last step crossed, the immensity of the room makes you dizzy. On the one hand, there is contemporary style cuisine. On the other, two salons are separated by half a mother. In the center, a glass with glass wood creates a warm atmosphere.

The imposing volume brought by the inverted slopes roofs is even more striking when you pivot at 180 degrees: the dining room seems to float in space.

“When we visited the first time, we immediately received,” recalls the owner.

And to receive in large, Mr. McKinley had reserved a place in the back kitchen to accommodate a caterer. Current owners have converted this area into a wine cellar. The piece, discreet and air conditioned, can contain up to 800 bottles.

The addition of the cellar had little impact on the storage available in the back kitchen. There is an extra refrigerator, a counter, a bar area and many cabinets.

The biggest storage is nevertheless found on the ground floor, where several parts allow to store the furniture and the clothes of the different seasons. On this floor, a large glass room is used as a drive room and two other bedrooms are currently used as offices.

“We sell outly,” admits the owner. We are so good. »»

This house bought “pending” of a permit for another project, however, inspired them. So much so that they hired Mr. McKinley to build their future dream house.

* Fictive first name. The owners asked to keep anonymous for professional reasons.Consult the property sheet