From the outside, 668 Brock St. looks like a typical River Heights-area bungalow — with one exception.
Take a close look at the home — a cursory glance won’t do the trick as you walk or drive by the 1,262 square-foot residence — and you’ll notice a huge five-piece picture window dominating its front wall.
Natascha Kouk of Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate says the massive window is just one of several design features that make the home special.
This bungalow is neat as a pin, and has been tastefully updated throughout.
“The very moment you enter the home, you find the home’s main living area bathed in natural light,” she says. “That wall of windows is unreal — it’s just so wonderfully bright through the entire area.”
Turns out, there’s a reason why the main living area is so bright, she adds.
“This house was professionally renovated in 2016, and one of the biggest changes involved opening the kitchen up to the dining room and family room. A wall between the dining room and kitchen was removed, allowing light to flow beautifully from the front to the back of the home. It also greatly improved traffic flow from the kitchen into the dining room and family room.”
At the same time, key spaces were updated, starting with the kitchen.
“Not only was the kitchen modernized with custom two-tone millwork, quartz countertops, an island and stainless-steel appliances, but the kitchen was further updated in 2022 by the installation of a grey industrial vinyl floor, which really defines it beautifully,” Kouk says. “There’s also pantry storage on both sides of the fridge.”
Photos by Todd Lewys / Winnipeg Free Press The bright, free-flowing main living area offers a combination of contemporary and traditional finishes.
Then, there’s the area that encompasses the dining area and family room.
Original natural oak hardwoods infuse the spacious, free-flowing area with warmth and texture, while the huge picture window and pot lights on the smooth, painted ceiling above ensure that there’s never a shortage of light day or night.
“The area is absolutely perfect for entertaining,” she notes. “You can easily seat 10 to 12 guests in the dining room and stay connected with them while you prepare dinner. After dinner, it’s just steps to the family room to visit over a cup of coffee. You can have a TV in the family room as there is here, or you can simply use it as a sitting area.”
Meanwhile, a wing to the left of the marvelously modern kitchen holds four spaces: an updated four-piece bath and three good-sized bedrooms.
“Once again, a key space — this time the main bath — was updated. It offers a soaker tub with white tile surround, glossy walnut thermofoil vanity and the same grey industrial vinyl floor that was used in the kitchen. Both bedrooms are a very nice size with one being 13 feet by 10.2 feet, and the other 13.2 feet by 11 feet. One is currently being used as an exercise room.”
Spacious and functional, the kitchen is as modern as you’ll find in a brand-new home.
Finally, there’s the primary bedroom at the end of the hall.
“It really has a relaxing feel to it,” says Kouk. “Natural light just pours in from a large window on its side wall, while the oak hardwoods give it a wonderful, warm feel. There’s even room for a reading chair, and it’s just steps away from the beautiful bathroom.”
Just as the tidy home’s main floor is a major departure from your stock River Heights bungalow, its lower level also stands apart in a major way.
“The only way to put it is that it isn’t your normal River Heights basement, which can be quite dated,” she says.
Quite to the contrary, 668 Brock’s lower level is completely contemporary.
The primary bedroom is a relaxing, light-filled retreat.
“Its main attraction is a fabulous media room. There’s lots of seating, and a huge screen to project movies and sports events on, just for your enjoyment or the enjoyment of you and your friends. There’s also an office space, office space, updated three-piece bath and flex space that could be used as a bedroom if its window were enlarged to meet legal egress standards.”
Last (but not least), there’s the home’s location.
“It’s absolutely superb, as you’re close to schools and shopping, and you’re basically 20 minutes or less to anywhere in the city,” Kouk says. “The home is spotless and comes with other upgrades such as a high-efficient furnace, hot water tank, and eaves. All you would need to do is just bring your possessions and move in.”
A large media area is the centrepiece of the home’s fully-finished lower level.
