Withrow Ave
Design-Build Home Renovation
Challenges & Objectives
This home renovation on Withrow Ave came with unique challenges. As a semi-detached home in Toronto’s Riverdale neighbourhood, the site had limited access for equipment and materials, and parking restrictions on the narrow street made trade and delivery coordination more complex. On top of this, the clients wanted a fully open-concept ground floor along with a new basement walkout—goals that required significant structural modifications and detailed planning.
Our objective was to deliver a brighter, more functional home by opening up the ground floor, improving natural light, and creating a practical basement entry that added both daily convenience and long-term value.
Design Solutions
Our design team prioritized openness, light, and flow. At the rear of the home, we reimagined the space to include a modern kitchen and a sitting area that naturally connected to the outdoors. Structural reconfiguration of load-bearing walls made the open-concept layout possible while maintaining strength and safety.
For the basement, a new concrete walkout and patio provided not only improved access but also a clever storage solution for a busy family. This design turned what had been underused space into a valuable extension of the home, enhancing the connection between indoor living and outdoor lifestyle.
Construction Process
The project began with demolition of the existing ground floor interior and excavation for the basement walkout. Due to tight site conditions, sequencing and coordination were critical to keep work efficient and respectful of neighbouring properties.
The foundation was restructured to accommodate the new entry, including poured concrete for long-lasting durability. Structural steel beams were installed to carry the loads of the open-concept main floor. Once this work was secured, we proceeded with framing, waterproofing, and exterior drainage systems.
With the structure set, mechanical rough-ins, insulation, drywall, and finish carpentry followed. Every trade was carefully scheduled to minimize downtime and ensure the build moved smoothly within the constraints of the site.
Results
This project is a striking example of how thoughtful design and execution can unlock the full potential of a traditional Toronto semi. The once-dark ground floor is now an inviting, open-concept space anchored by a custom kitchen and a bright sitting area that draws in natural light.
The new basement walkout transformed functionality for the family—providing easy access for storage, sports gear, and daily comings and goings. Beyond convenience, the addition significantly improved the home’s value and market appeal, positioning it as a modern, highly liveable residence in one of Toronto’s most desirable neighbourhoods.
The homeowners are thrilled with how they use their space today. The renovation not only solved practical challenges but also created a home that feels larger, brighter, and more connected to their lifestyle—proof of what’s possible when design and construction work hand-in-hand.
Our Clients' Experiences Say It All
At Woodsmith Construction, we believe our clients’ experiences highlight our commitment to exceptional customer service. Explore what real homeowners say about partnering with us to achieve their home renovation goals.
The Woodsmith team did a phenomenal job of rebuilding our house to match our dream on-time and within our budget. Chris (the owner) was always accessible, open to ideas and patient with questions. This made all the difference for us. He understands that a job of this scale is something that an owner will likely only do once, and he offered great advice and put all our fears at ease. We constantly knew exactly how we were tracking to our budget (to the dollar) and our job site was clean and orderly at all times (which our neighbours very much appreciated). We were nervous about our year-long adventure in renos (we've all heard horror stories), but Chris helped us spread out decisions over time and provided clear options for any challenges his team encountered, making that year a surprisingly pleasant one. All of the work was top-quality and has garnered unsolicited positive comments from anyone who sees our home (including other contractors working in our neighbourhood). I have no problem recommending Woodsmith; you will be in very good hands.
Dave Duncan
We were very pleased with the results of our renovation project completed by Chris and his team at Woodsmith Construction. As well as a great end-product, Chris provided excellent customer communication services throughout the whole process that were greatly appreciated! We would have no hesitation in recommending Woodsmith Construction and in fact have already booked them for a second project.
Lynn
We had a great experience working with Chris at Woodsmith Construction. He is honest, transparent, realistic, easy to get in touch with and makes himself available to his clients whenever they need him. I would gladly recommend Woodsmith Construction to anyone doing a renovation as Chris made a complicated process a positive experience.
Matthew Bernstein
We worked with Chris Smith and Woodsmith Construction Inc. on the design for a garage addition, and the experience was fantastic. The project included adding attic trusses to create a new walk-in closet and laundry room that seamlessly connected to our existing main bedroom. Chris’s goal was to make the addition feel like it had always been part of the home, and he absolutely nailed it.From the start, Chris took the time to understand what we needed and came up with a design that not only maximized the functionality of the space but also kept the style consistent with the rest of the house. He paid close attention to every detail, from the layout to the finishes, ensuring everything worked perfectly with our main bedroom.The design makes such smart use of the space, and it feels like a natural extension of the home rather than an afterthought. Chris was great to work with—responsive, creative, and incredibly knowledgeable. He even provided advice on how to approach the construction phase, which made us feel confident moving forward.If you’re looking for someone to bring your vision to life with a thoughtful and practical design, we highly recommend Chris Smith and Woodsmith Construction. The design he created for us has truly enhanced our home. Our construction is well under way and we are already seeing the great design come to life!
Steve F
Woodsmith Construction completed a project for us in a timely and professional manner. The quality of their workmanship is superb. Communication between them and us was informative, courteous and collaborative. We would highly recommend them.
Rick Wilson
Woodsmith Construction Inc. recently completed a full-home renovation on our place, including underpinning and adding a third floor. We couldn't be happier with the results and the level of service that we received from Chris and his entire team. Chris is an absolute professional who is extremely knowledgable, dedicated to his craft and was exceptionally responsive at all points in the project to all of our questions and concerns. For us, this timely communication provided a level of comfort and assurance - I cannot imagine doing a project of this scale without it! During the project, the worksite was kept so clean - our neighbours consistently commented on how great and respectful the team was. We were able to complete a huge project with very little tension and to me, that speaks volumes about the manner in which the project was carried out. In terms of the results, we are thrilled. The workmanship, detail and solid construction of our home are all that we hoped for. This workmanship and level of service continued through the final stages of the project, when we were completing the finishing touches. Chris ensured that every small detail was arranged for and completed. Obviously, we highly recommend Woodsmith Construction and are grateful to Chris and his team for the amazing work, professionalism and service they provided.
Natalie Zawadowsky
