I searliously doubt Id want that. To some it may be a fun house, hey the rick buy sll kinfd of weird useless things i eird neightbohoood, no offense, yo anyone im referring to friends im monteal anyway. well if someone falls in love it, it, its a deal., best. to all lol cute article, but myself i dont want something other than what Ive designed, as of 3 yrs ago. feel free to ask Im an artist,architect, project mgr. deep south only, I can do northern but to be negotiated. aileange@hotmail.com. More info available, pics as well. Be blessed by the Infinite Divinty !

Aile....you message seems like you were drinking a little too much Ale when you read the article. Good luck to you...your going to need it!

Oh DD...
Since we're correcting spelling and grammar: "you're" means you are, "your" shows possession.

Searliously, people. Somebody must have skipped school the day Infinite Divinty was handing out the brains. Sorry darling, but if I had any architectural business that needed attending to, I'd probably hire someone who could spell, and didn't advertise in forums using a hotmail account.

Seriously lol

Okay, I'll start with a $20 offer at most... I doubt you'll get any more!! Could the seller please let me know if he's interested?

It would make a great spot for a small community radio station. I would make an offer of $190'000 but I would not pay anymore then $200'000.00 This is going to be a tough sale!

Really?! At $349k I don't think so. The place has no windows, closets or cupboards; only 1 bdrm, 800sq ft and no yard. Further, how on earth did he park under it like that, or get it out for that matter. Hit just one "stilt" and it all comes crashing down like lego. Seems to me the designer must have been stoned or drunk when he came up with that concept!

And what's with the 3rd floor door...seems pretty useless to me. There are lots of "energy efficient" homes that are not an eye sore like this one. I bet he couldn't sell it when it was built, hence there has been renters in it for 9 years.

Plus it probably lowered the property value of his neighbours property. I'd be mad if someone built that next to me.

Its a deal in Vancvouer at <$350K

How in the world did anyone get permission to put that monstrosity up to begin with??!

I sure as h*ll wouldn't want to live across the street from that ugly, third-world shack and have to look at it every day.

The land value is what matters. A demolition crew is what's needed.

@Devil'sAdvocate ... in the same spirit of correction of spelling etc. ... do YOU not have spellcheck ... I mean, "searliously"!

That ugly blue box ISN'T the kiddy's playhouse? Go figure.

Sorry, but at this ridiculous price or even at normal price, I REFUSE to buy this HIDEOUS-looking piece of GARBAGE...!!! If I had a significant other, who bought us to live in this ugly "thing", I'd rather go kill myself instead!!!

If they put some siding on it and finish the top floor so it doesn't look half done then maybe... but even then $349k would still be too much. I wonder how the realtor came up with the listing price?

I think mayby the saddest part of it all, is that someone will actually buy this piece of garbage! You have to ask yourself as well... do the houses around it compare in the price range competition? lol

I've read other people and their thoughts on this house. One thing they have no idea is the value of land in Toronto. The house I grew up in was a semi, with about the same amount of floor space. It would cost $200k to renovate it. Most houses in Toronto need $50k to $200k reno jobs. The base price for that house I lived in is about $425k. It's also in a ghetto. $350k for this piece of crap is a deal in Toronto. Personally if I had to buy this piece of crap, I'd drop in windows and more balconies and I'd pick a neutral colour. $30k of tiered balconies could make this building look better. Maybe change the side with stone.

You have to see past the colours and originality and unconventional design. The home is worth the money its listed for based on originality. The overall floor space and energy efficiency is what has is at that price range. Homes are based on finished square foot pricing. Closets and such things are matters of personal preference. I wouldnt want to live there but like the article said he had thousands of people rush to see it and he is an Architect. I design homes and no one in a major metropolis has bum rushed my designs. This man is a career genius. hes now famous and your not so if you hate take a walk.

The flowers are nice,, nuf said :)

This is for Joel Duffin and others: Hey were most people behind the door when they had the grammar lessons for can't (cannot) aren't (are not) and you're (you are)etc.?

Just what kind of an architect IS this guy? He built the house over his car, and now he can't get the car out!!! What an idiot.

I have driven past this house many many times and its not a bad eyesore, doesn't really stick out too much because of its placement. Lots of much uglier homes on coxwell than this one.

On a 230 foot lot you could add to the front and double the floor space. An L not an I .With some exterior work you could have an energy efficient work boot.

Did anyone even check to see whether Rohan Walters is an architect? According to the Ontario Association of Architects website, which is the regulatory body for architects in Ontario, he's not. I think the writers should do a little bit more research before they print incorrect information.

It may not be to everyone's taste, but you don't have to be rude about it. It's unique and the property taxes are incredibly low! Not to mention utilities! The pictures on the real estate page are better done and it's a darn cute inside. Alot of the older houses don't have any closets or much for storage either. That's why there are armoires & storage cupboards available for purchase.
No matter what a place looks like, a home is what you make it.

Here's the rest of the information: http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=11476610&PidKey=2048692681

I guess this is the perfect house for IKEA. Would love to see what they could do with the place.

i would not be surprised if he is offered an interesting amt of an unknown, what may not be appealing to you may do wonders for others, good luck and it is original and fun looking and with all the publicity he is getting from technology and etc.hum, guys and girls watch out,,he will get more then the asking price..$$$$$$$ good luck! seller and buyer!
Julia(nontreal)i love it!

I agree that it may not be everyone's taste, but it looks cozy and welcoming inside. The exterior colours are a little bright for me, but what a bland world we would live in if everyone lived in beige cookie-cutter houses! Someone, with some vision and creativity, will get a good deal. With the money they save on the taxes and utilities they will be laughing all the way to Ikea (julia :) )

I lived in the Beaches. There is nothing beachy about Coxwell Avenue. The street looks like skid row, the shops are dirty and the people are scary. Even the No Frills on it had bugs. Gross.

Hi Tracy,

You are correct Rohan is not a licenced architect with OAA but he does have a bachelor of architecture degree from Univerity of Waterloo...he freely admits that he works with other architects, engineers and interior designers (check this link http://www3.sympatico.ca/spacesbyrohan/ ). Incidentally you do not have to be an architect to design a house or small building (OBC). XCheck out my site http:/www.adtekbuilding.com
Brian.

Tracy do a bit more searching starting with the website Spaces By Rohan he has a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo and in the home design culture is widely known

I'm just happy this house or whatever you wish to call it is in Toronto and not next door to me. It is an eyesore!

This play box will be a great show piece in the wood. It is not supposed to be in the city area. If I have 20 acres in the north, I will build similar one that uses solar energy with all modern gadgets. Too bad, this one is in the city.

Oh this house is genuinely unique all right. The only thing that really bothers me is the part about the stilt on a concrete slab. I have visions of the whole thing tumbling into the valley after the first earthquake. I would definitely repaint it with less garish colors. it draws too much attention to it to be my abode. The top, if not done by now needs finishing, and the front balcony should extend all the way across for a little extra air space. You didn't mention any windows. I suppose there must be a couple on the other side of the building, at least I would hope so. If not, I would feel like I was in a cage. I like light. It seems like it's a one person house. Not too much room anywhere. I wonder what would have happened if that builder had extended the house to the back a considerable distance. It would have been much better with more room and everything.

My concern is this: did no one get the irony/sarcasm of spelling Seriously, as SEARLIOUSLY???? LOL

Needs a total make-over inside to show it's full potential ... looks dumpy to me

This is a beautiful house. I wish more architects were this creative.

I would feel clausterphobic, and I would need windows, I feel that there is a way better approach to eco frinedly homes. The architecture is unique, but it does not necessarily mean it is attractive......and if it is apparently eco friendly than where is the green roof and natural colours for a natural landscape? Altogether I feel this approach to a space saving avenue for the metro polis lifestyle...you might as well just purchase a condo or townehome!

Okay, I'll start with a $25 offer. ~350k is a lot of money. It looks as if it would fall down. Hold your sneeze when you walk by.

@Swt Azn Qt, I totally agree!

I was one of the people who worked on this home. You must go and see this place and get inside. Just reading about it is not enough! Some of what I learned working on this home made it's way into my home! Thanx Rohan!!!

I think that they should have cleaned it up a bit before taking photos. There is no way you can see that true beauty with all the clutter!

I've been in this house, and I think it's awesome. A friend of mine currently lives there. It would be a great alternative to a condo - much more spacious and inexpensive that a comparable size of condo, with the potential for a lovely backyard. The current yard is overgrown, but it is deep with mature trees. As for windows, the house is actually extremely bright with lots of south and east facing windows. The outdoor space on the roof is lovely. Anyone living there would have to be pretty comfortable with stairs. As for storage, there are more opportunities for creative storage than there are in many condos. If someone is comparing it to a traditional suburban house, it must seem strange. However, for a unique urban, ecologically responsible home, you don't get better than this.

well janice maybe you should buy that weird looking house since you know inside out of that house. The weird looking house looks very unsafe and if tornado goes by the whole house would be down and no where to hide. Buy it Janice

The left wing connection in the city of T.O. approved and issued the building permit for this structure to improve the streetscape in this particular area/site of Coxwell Ave. (real hole/eyesore). It is built in a deep trench as the slope wouldn't allow for a normal house/building. And it would've cost too much to have it filled in with retaining walls. Rohan Walters is a radical/eccentric individual who follows his own set of rules. His persistence is his greatest strength and weakness (doesn't want to belong to any group or association). However, even he gets bored or have found it impractical in this design to live in (he moved). If anyone cares to check out what he actually paid for the land/lot plus the cost of building the structure you'll be surprised (this lot 23'x205' had no real value back then).
Is this home worth $349k? To the majority of us, no, no and no as it doesn't fit the norm. Nevertheless, curiosity gathers the crowd/onlookers waiting for the brave to fork out the cash. There will always be a buyer, wherever they may be and boast that Rohan Walters built their home.

U-G-L-Y and then dark and dingy (no windows) is all I can say.

There is no way I would own or rent this tacky place or even promote it on my website.

Less than $1300 in taxes? No wonder TO's begging for money! $3300 here for a dinky house 90 mins. east of TO. Geez!

I will pay $200,000 for it. Miss realtor. It needs works.

@Nicole,@Jerry Lee Miller and @Juilia (in nontreal?), Why am I not seeing you three standing in line to place your offers to Rohan Walter (really love it?)? He had over 3000 curiosity lookers back in 2003 and yet he can only rent it for cheap. Oh what a shame, I see common sense holding you guys back too.

wow! very creative and attention grabber.I hope one of the largest marketeer can use this as show piece to promote.

I would like to see hundred of houses like this one on Coxwell Avenue, and make the street beautiful for all to enjoy. People of Toronto are quite conservative and not ready yet to accept something new. (Actually the design of the house is not that new. I have seen similar ones before but not in Toronto. The only one and the closest one could be seen near Parliament and Eastern by the Gardiner Expressway.(?) "A tilted colorful rectangle in the air" as I can remember.)

@donald lee, Please tell us all you have put in multiple offers to ensure you get to own this one of a kind gem! Otherwise you are only passing wind just like the many hypocrites in this world. Only wishing others to have and live your fantasies while you look on with pride living your normal conservative life!

Well, congratulations to Rohan Walters! His pet creation on Cowell Ave. T.O. finally gathers multiple (5) offers and he has sold (not firmed yet, conditions, I suppose) to a lower bid/offer (by taking less, money not seems to be the issue, rumors estimated to be approx. $400k) as he stays true to his eccentric nature, wanting these particular purchasers' (also architect and designer couple) two young childrenn to have the opportunity to grow up in this home. Nevertheless, for whatever it's worth, you have to admire Mr. Walters' stance in society! He will be remembered among the few that may change the world. Needless to say, his path will be challenged throughout his life as the majority of society wouldn't accept changes unless it benefits them personally. Best wishes to the purchasers!

I agree with what "The Truth" stated. I am not offended. However, I think the house with the lot is worth $200,000. I am sure there will long long lineup of purchasers if there are 100 of these houses built on Coxwell Avenue at this price range. Don't you agree? How much do you think you have to pay for a narrow townhouse on Lakeshore Ave. It is about a million, and they are built cheap, ugly and next to heavy traffic. By the way, is the house sold yet?
Thanks for your corresponding, The Truth. email.

Congratulation to Mr. Rohan Walters! Keep up the good work. Toronto needs good designers like you.

I tip my hat to you "donald lee" for not being offended! I really mean no harm to anyone. It takes character to stand up for the truth in our society even though it may not sound politically correct. Unfortunately, the truth can also be wrong as it is the majority that decides our society's direction/destiny.
As they say, once we all take our time, think logically with common sense while understanding the whole/big picutre, we become better and more caring people by cutting out the selfishness and greed. Mr. Rohan Walters had taken his stance, I may not agree with his architecture, even so, he has genuine character.

I think it opens the imagination.

A SIMPLE UGLY PIECE OF DESIGN HOME.CITY SHOULD NEVER APPROVE IT AT THE FIRST PLACE,IT'S NOT UNIQUE AT ALL OR SHOULD I CALL THIS IS A CHEAP BUILT HOUSE.

Sounds like the kind of house I would like if I ever moved back to Toronto. The owner will save a fortune in utility costs and can put that into future renovations and yard development. If radiant heat proves to be insufficient, they could easily install geothermal for a small fraction of the house's initial cost. Rohan Walters may be on to something here for future housing in cities.