Inside the home
The Baird House is one of the most architecturally intact Italianate mansions remaining in southern Ontario. The original 12-foot plaster ceilings, ceiling medallions, stained glass windows, marble fireplaces, and ornate millwork are not reproductions — they are the real thing, and they are in remarkable condition for a building approaching 140 years old. The principal rooms on the main floor flow through a series of arched passages and connect to a cook's kitchen, a glass sunroom, and a recently updated main-floor bathroom. The cook's kitchen and butler's pantry are functional but carry a mid-2000s finish that will eventually need attention. Upstairs, bedrooms are spacious with original fireplaces and radiator heat; bathrooms are a mix of eras. The detached carriage house is a separate story: a four-bay garage with a fully finished epoxy interior, solar panels on the roof, and a large open bonus suite above — separately accessible and zoned to allow commercial or residential use.
- Exceptional original plaster ceiling medallions and 12-foot crown mouldings throughout principal rooms
- Multiple original marble and cast-iron fireplaces in bedrooms and study
- Stained glass windows original to the 1885 build
- Solar panels on carriage house roof
- Four-bay garage with fully finished epoxy-floor interior and bonus suite above
- Large private lot with mature century-old trees
- Multiple interconnected formal principal rooms
- Updated main-floor bathroom with frameless glass shower and oak vanity
Perched gracefully above the Grand River, the storied Baird House (circa 1860s) stands among Paris's most distinguished heritage residences. This Italianate manor showcases the artistry of a bygone era-towering 12-foot ceilings, intricate plaster medallions, deep baseboards, and richly detailed woodwork-beautifully preserved and seamlessly paired with modern comfort. Sun-filled principal rooms open to manicured grounds shaded by century-old trees, offering privacy and tranquility just steps from the shops and cafés of downtown Paris. Over 6,000 sqft above grade including a possible inlaw suite above the 4 bay garage. Heated floors and serviced by an elevator make this space flexible for a multitude of uses. Steeped in history yet tailored for contemporary living, 194 Grand River Street North embodies the elegance, authenticity, and character that define one of Ontario's most celebrated small towns. One of the first homes in the world to have a telephone adds a special novelty that cannot be replicated. Designated as Community Corridor in the County of Brant's most updated Official Plan allows for a variety of residential and commercial uses.
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