Leslieville's 1890s–1920s worker cottages and Victorian semis are some of Toronto's most lovable homes — and among the smallest. Kopman Build adds full second storeys to these east-side properties, doubling living space while respecting the streetscape that makes the neighbourhood worth staying in.
Leslieville is one of Toronto's most actively renovated neighbourhoods — and for good reason. Families who have invested in the community don't want to leave, but the original 1890s–1920s housing stock was never designed for modern family life. A second storey addition is the most efficient way to gain bedrooms, bathrooms, and living space without moving, and without losing your lot to a laneway or garden suite footprint.
Kopman Build has been working in Toronto's east end since 1999. We understand the structural realities of pre-war worker housing — the narrow lots, the unreinforced masonry foundations, the balloon-frame walls — and we plan for them from the start rather than discovering them mid-project. Every second storey addition we build includes a structural engineer assessment of the existing home before a single design decision is made.
Leslieville's rapid gentrification means property values have climbed steadily, and a well-executed second storey addition delivers strong ROI relative to the cost of buying up. We give you a realistic pre-construction estimate before any commitment — not a ballpark that shifts once work begins.
Complete upper-floor additions on Leslieville cottages and semis — new bedrooms, bathrooms, and hall, structurally integrated with the existing building.
Pre-war homes require a thorough review of foundations, walls, and load paths before an upper floor is added. We coordinate licensed structural engineers as standard.
Full management of City of Toronto building permit applications, zoning reviews, and Committee of Adjustment filings if a minor variance is required.
Matching brick, cornice profiles, and rooflines so the addition reads as original from the street — important in a heritage-sensitive neighbourhood like Leslieville.
Second storey additions on older homes frequently pair with a full interior renovation of the existing ground floor. We coordinate both scopes under one contract.
Leslieville's active kitchen and bathroom market pairs naturally with a second storey project. We build comprehensive renovations — not just the addition in isolation.
We visit your Leslieville property, listen to your goals, and document the project in writing — scope, budget, and timeline.
A detailed line-item estimate with allowances and contingencies, so you know the number before committing to design or permits.
We manage all permit applications, structural engineering coordination, and approvals — nothing falls through the cracks.
Full-time site supervision, weekly updates, and open-book cost tracking throughout the project.
Structured handover with all documentation, warranties, and a 12-month attendance window post-completion.
A full second storey addition on a Leslieville Victorian cottage or semi typically ranges from $350,000 to $600,000+, depending on the size of the footprint, structural complexity, and finish level. Older 1890s–1920s homes often require additional structural reinforcement before the upper floor can be added, which should be factored into early budgeting. Kopman Build provides a detailed line-item pre-construction estimate before any commitment.
Yes. A second storey addition on any Leslieville property requires a City of Toronto building permit, structural engineering drawings, and in many cases a zoning review to confirm the addition complies with height and angular plane restrictions in the E-district zoning. If the new roofline or envelope exceeds zoning limits, a minor variance application to the Committee of Adjustment is required. Kopman Build manages the full permit and approval process.
From permit approval to final occupancy, a second storey addition on a Leslieville home typically takes 8–14 months of construction. Permitting and design can add another 4–8 months before shovels go in the ground. We map out the complete timeline — design, permits, and construction — at the start of every project so there are no surprises.
Many Leslieville homes built between the 1890s and 1920s have foundations and wall framing that need to be assessed and often reinforced before a second storey is added. A structural engineer must review the existing building as part of the design process. Kopman Build coordinates this assessment as a standard part of pre-construction, and we have completed multiple second storey additions on east-end Toronto Victorians where structural upgrades were required.
Kopman Build builds second storey additions across Leslieville and Toronto's east end. No-obligation consultation — we come to your property.
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