This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Canada, which closed in 2021.

Prince's Former Toronto Home Sees Big Price Drop

Still, its asking price today is millions more than just a few years ago.
Prince gestures on stage during the Apollo Theatre's 75th anniversary gala in New York, June 8, 2009. The late musician's former Toronto home is on sale, and has seen its price chopped.
Lucas Jackson / Reuters
Prince gestures on stage during the Apollo Theatre's 75th anniversary gala in New York, June 8, 2009. The late musician's former Toronto home is on sale, and has seen its price chopped.

If you want a sense of what a ride Toronto's housing market has been in recent years, look no further than the saga of 61 The Bridle Path — the mansion formerly owned by Prince.

It was listed last Friday with an asking price of $17.88 million. But within days, that was chopped to $16.9 million.

"It was indicated that this would be a more suitable price," listing agent Barry Cohen told HuffPost.

That's a hefty price drop. But consider this: Just a few years ago, the sprawling bungalow that sits on two acres of land was listed — and struggled to find a buyer — with a considerably lower $12.8 million price tag.

That's some serious inflation over two years. But Toronto's housing market today is not what it used to be, and Cohen isn't the only one adjusting expectations.

Re/Max

The detached home market in Greater Toronto has entered a slump, with the average price down 17.1 per cent in March from a year earlier, to $1.005 million, according to the Toronto Real Estate Board.

The luxury segment has been hit particularly hard. Sales in the first two months of the year were down 55 per cent from the same period a year earlier, according to data from Sotheby's, though it's important to note that this time last year the market was at the peak of its frenzy.

Re/Max

According to earlier news reports, Prince lived in the 14,280-square-foot home from 2001 to 2006, while married to Torontonian Manuela Testolini, whom he divorced in 2006.

Though Prince hasn't lived in the place for more than a decade, the property still features a few touches that reference the famed rocker ... including a purple-themed basement media room.

Re/Max

The house is clearly aimed at entertaining. Aside from six bedrooms, it features a ballroom as well as a theatre, spa and exercise room, and no fewer than 10 bathrooms. There is also a tennis court, a heated pool and parking for 22 cars.

The 57-year-old Prince was found unresponsive in his home in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on April 21, 2016, and died shortly thereafter. A coroner's report stated he died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl.

Also on HuffPost:

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Canada. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.