Champagnepapi. 6 God. Jimmy Brooks. Aubrey Graham. Drizzy. Drake. Whichever you choose to call him, one thing we can all agree on is that megastar, Drake, loves his hometown of Toronto. THE SIX. So much, in fact, that he built his 50,000 square-foot dream home in Toronto real estate’s highly desired Bridle Path neighbourhood.
The Bridle Path is an opulent residential neighbourhood located north of Toronto’s downtown core. While ‘Bridle Path’ is a street name within the neighbourhood, the whole area has become known as The Bridle Path. The boundaries include the Bridle Path on the north side, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on the south side, Wilket Creek on the east side, and Bayview Avenue on the west side. The area is encompassed by parklands and the Don Valley River giving it a private and secluded feel. It is known for multi-million dollar mansions on lots that range from 2 to 4 acres. Affectionately referred to as “Millionaire’s Row”, it’s no wonder that Drake chose to build his mega-mansion here.
As a Toronto real estate agent, not only am I interested in the area where Drake chose to build his home but in the actual home itself. The concept, design, build, amenities…I want to explore it all! So let’s take a glimpse at the details and see what a luxury home built from the ground up by an international recording superstar looks like.
The Specs
Drake’s home clocks in at a sprawling 50,000 square feet. Sprawling doesn’t even begin to describe the home that boasts 44-foot high ceilings in his great room alone. He purchased the land in 2015 for reportedly $6.7 million and finished building in 2020. This luxurious home was designed and built by Canadian architect, Ferris Rafauli. Drake has nicknamed his home “The Embassy”. He opened his doors to Architectural Digest in April 2020, showcasing the no expense spared, extravagant home.
The Design
Drake hoped to build a timeless structure with a monumental feel. Designer Rafauli built the home as a 19th-century limestone mansion inspired by Beaux Arts architecture. The interior of the home combines high luxury with a modern Art Deco style.
The Primary Bedroom
Drake’s 3,200 square foot primary bedroom is his favourite room of the house. The room has an additional 1,100 square feet of covered terraces. His bed weighs approximately one ton and features a headboard that is decorated with antique mirrors and channel-tufted leather. His bedding displays a hummingbird tapestry designed by Alexander McQueen. The primary bathroom holds a 4,000 pound bathtub that was carved from a single block of black marble. The closet in the bedroom is just over two stories and is decorated in amethyst and crystal and features diamond-tufted seating.
The Amenities
Can you even have a 50,000-square-foot home without some over-the-top amenities? Of course not! And Drake’s home is no exception. The rapper’s pad has an indoor NBA regulation-size basketball court that features a 21-square-foot pyramidal skylight donning Drake’s brand, OVO.
There’s an indoor pool made with black granite and an outdoor pool that is Olympic-sized. Of course, there is a state-of-the-art recording studio that is styled with a nightclub vibe. There’s a room that highlights his years from Degrassi to winning Grammys. There is also a hall displaying sports jerseys as if they were in a museum. Even the bathrooms are luxurious with toilets that play soothing music and project a colourful light show.
The Details
The devil is in the details when it comes to decorating a lavish home on a grandiose scale. Drake’s home screams high luxury from his Austrian-designed Metropolitan chandelier that sparkles with over 20,000 hand-cut pieces of Swarovski crystal to the furnishings in his home that are made of materials ranging from mohair to bronze to dyed ostrich skin. The house itself was constructed of limestone, exotic woods, bronze, and marble. There are extraordinary displays of his Hermes Birkin bags and extensive sneaker collection. His great room holds a bespoke concert grand piano that was designed by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. Every detail was meticulously conceptualized, designed, and executed.
Drake has truly built a home that dazzles with opulence, beauty, and luxury. It’s the kind of home that is built to last, to stand the test of time and allows him to put his roots down. We will patiently wait for our invite to his pool but in the meantime, we respect his love for the city and will admire his over-the-top decadence anytime we’re in the Bridle Path area.
If you are interested in looking to buy a home or sell a home in the Bridal Path or anywhere else in Toronto and the surrounding areas, reach out and one of our real estate experts will be in touch.
Sources:
Architectural Digest
Wikipedia
CNN
Fancy Pants Homes
Square Yards