Secluded splendour

Winnipeg Free Press

10-05-2025

One of the more unappreciated neighbourhoods in Winnipeg is the enclave of St. Charles.
Close to St. Charles Country Club, streets in the area were hewn out of the same mature forest that lines the storied golf club's fairways.
And while all the streets are populated by gorgeous stands of trees, some have collections that stand out from others. Pine Valley Drive is one of those streets, says Chris Pennycook of Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate.
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The stately 2,192-sq.-ft. two-storey home has been tastefully updated from top to bottom.
'I absolutely love this street — it winds beautifully through the trees, many of which are big, gorgeous pine trees. When you drive in, you feel as if you're out in the country,' Pennycook says.
A feature that adds to that rustic feel is the oversized nature of lots that line the picturesque street.
Pennycook says he has recently listed a move-in-ready two-storey home on one of the larger lots in the area.
'What I really love about this home, aside from the fact it's been beautifully remodelled in key areas, is that it sits on a large, pie-shaped lot that's surrounded by mature trees. With its Tyndall stone and stucco front, the home really fits in nicely with the scenery,' he says.
He says the home's wide lot also paved the way for an amenity few, if any, dwellings in the area possess.
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Anchored by a nine-foot island with double-sided breakfast bar, the kitchen is the essence of modern style and luxury.
'Not only did the extra lot width allow for a grand home, but it also allowed for an awesome triple detached garage and a stately circular driveway,' Pennycook says. 'Being able to get a home in this area with a triple garage is quite special.'
As it turns out, the home itself is also very special.
Meticulously cared for by its longtime owners, it was slowly but surely brought up to contemporary standards over the past five years or so, notes Pennycook.
'One of the most important updates involved changing the layout to make the home more functional. While this home was built in the 1970s, it no longer feels like a home from that period.'
Essentially, the home's main-floor layout was reversed from its midpoint on.
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A wall next to the kitchen was removed to open it up to a roomy formal dining area with wet bar and lovely gas fireplace.
Where the home once started off with a kitchen to the left and living room to the right, it now starts with a kitchen to the right and living room to the left.
'A formal living room with two huge windows and plenty of room starts things off,' says Pennycook. 'It then connects to the kitchen.'
And what a kitchen it is, he adds.
'Of all the updates in the home, it really is the show-stopper with its bright-white, soft-close cabinets, quartz countertops, nine-foot island with two-sided breakfast bar that seats four and updated stainless-steel appliances.'
To further modernize the space, a wall to the right of the kitchen was removed to open the space up and endow it with free-flowing, contemporary functionality.
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Expansive and light-filled, the living room is a perfect spot to visit with company after dinner.
'Now, the kitchen opens perfectly onto a spacious formal dining area that was placed in between an awesome dry bar and cosy gas fireplace,' Pennycook says. 'There's also a patio door on the rear wall next to the kitchen that leads out to a private deck that's ideal for entertaining or relaxing on.'
Head upstairs, and more pleasant surprises await.
'Most notably, the second floor holds not three but four bedrooms,' Pennycook says. 'Because the home is nearly 2,200 sq. ft., each room is a generous size, including the primary bedroom, which comes with a patio door that leads out to its own private balcony.'
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As if that weren't enough, the primary bedrooms also comes with an updated three-piece ensuite.
'It's just spectacular with a walk-in shower with gorgeous marble-style tile surround, white vanity with grey-stone countertop and plenty of storage, and a rich grey-vinyl tile floor that's warm underfoot. There's plenty of storage space for your wardrobe, too.'
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The highlight of the huge lower-level rec room is a spacious media area complemented by an electric fireplace set in a grey-tile surround.
Finally, there's the fully finished lower level, which holds a rec room with an electric fireplace set in a grey-tile surround, lovely two-piece bath, laundry room and plenty of storage space.
'This stunning, move-in-ready home — it also comes with newer windows — is in beautiful condition, offering a perfect blend of comfort, style and space,' Pennycook says. 'Just a short walk from St. Charles Country Club and minutes from parks, schools, shopping and restaurants, it truly is a must-see.'
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A patio door on the primary bedroom's rear wall not only lets in lots of natural light, but connects to a private, treetop balcony.
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The updated ensuite features a tiled walk-in shower and elegant white, stone-topped vanity.
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Surrounded by mature pines, the backyard is a private paradise.