VICTORIAN MEETS MODERN TECH

A Toronto manor gets outfitted with state-of-the-art automation, multiroom A/V, and a high-end home cinema

- BOB ANKOSKO

ENTERING THE oak-paneled foyer of this Victorian manor in Toronto’s prestigious Rosedale neighborhood is like stepping back into the early 20th century. Built in 1901, the expansive estate has been meticulously restored to evoke the grandeur of the period— with a fantastic secret. Hiding behind the magnificent historical façade is a fully automated state-of-the-art smart home created by Moonshot Automation (moonshotautomation.com, formerly Custom Sound and Vision) in nearby Mississauga.

“The home was acquired by our clients in 2014 and underwent an extensive renovation in an effort to modernize it to suit the family’s busy lifestyle while preserving the original feel of the residence,” explains Carmine Malatesta, Moonshot founder and president. The company was commissioned to discreetly deploy technology throughout the 10,000-square-foot estate that would provide effortless control over lighting, heating and cooling, home security, and an extensive network of audio and video systems, including a glorious theater designed to complement the home’s Victorian vibe.

It was a daunting task, made even all the more challenging because a full-on renovation was also underway at the home directly across the street. “The narrow dead-end street was filled with trade vehicles from top to bottom and around the corners,” Malatesta recalls. “It became a race to see who could get to the site first in the morning to secure a parking spot. Luckily the neighbors were patient and understanding—for the most part anyway.”