116 Albany Avenue is a semi-detached house on a quiet Annex street doesn't stand out too much from its neighbours, but inside there are quite a few unexpected surprises. Here you'll find a mix of traditional and contemporary styles and filled with unusual design choices, from a bright stained glass bathroom window to a home office lined with built-in bookshelves. The lot is only 25 ft. wide and the layout is a bit strange and cramped -- that closed off front room might induce some mild claustrophobia -- but there is no shortage of space or storage.

The renovated kitchen and bathrooms are nice (even the dark brick backsplash) and the windows and floors strike a balance of restored and new. The house has maintained some character features including fireplaces, crown moulding and exposed brick walls. The real selling feature is bound to be the 3rd storey master bedroom retreat with access to a rooftop deck. Bland carpeting aside, the bedroom is large, the bathroom is angular and clean, and the deck is a pretty ideal warm weather escape. Plus, judging from these pictures, you can probably play the drums in the bedroom without disturbing the rest of the house, right?

SPECS

• Address: 116 Albany Ave
• Price: $1,499,000
• Lot Size: 25 x 135 ft.
• Bedrooms: 4 + 1
• Bathrooms: 4
• Parking: 1 space
• Taxes: $8,861.56 (2013)
• Walk Score: 98

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Two large home offices
• 3rd storey master bedroom retreat with rooftop deck
• Custom built-in shelving
• Fully finished basement with storage

GOOD FOR

A buyer looking to get a foothold in the Annex who doesn't mind settling for semi-detached. At this price point you might expect a detached property, but for the right family the shared wall could be countered by the impressive deck, renovated touches and proximity to Bloor and Bathurst. The private parking space at the side of the house is especially useful considering the central location.

MOVE ON IF

Maybe you find the retreat bathroom reminiscent of peeing at church. Or maybe the rooftop deck isn't enough and you want to add landscaping and structure to the backyard. Or maybe that tight front room just won't do, and you want to open up some walls. There are a few spots in this house that could benefit from renovations, so bear the price in mind.

MORE PHOTOS

Read other posts in this series via our House of the Week Pinterest board.