European home with “Beauty and the Beast”-style library asks $2.45 million on Queens Road West

Yes, that’s like observing that one of Michael Phelps’ Olympic relay team buddies looks good without his shirt on. They’re all incredible.

But we’d be remiss not to savor a few things that make this $2.45 million offering stunning: The herringbone wood floor, the French doors and log ceiling beams, the clean shades of gray, those top-floor oval-shaped dormer windows, and the way the whole place looks mighty expensive but never, ever ornate-Vegas.

And then: That library.

That “Beauty and the Beast,” Hogwarts, Trinity-College-in-Dublin library.

Most high-end homes these days have a somber, wood-paneled, usually masculine-styled office or study. Some, especially those with elaborate built-ins, are now being billed as libraries. And they are lovely, of course.

But this one goes far beyond anything else on the market in the region right now for having two stories.

Two. Floors. Of. Library.

Two rooms of library – look how the space spills up and down staircases.

Balconies of library.

Wrap-around balcony library! A fireplace. Mahogany wood everywhere. And one of those damn wonderful rolling ladders.

If I lived here, I would soon be losing the house to foreclosure, having neglected my corporate executive job to read about horticulture in Latin, holding a grand waltz, and spending weeks riding back and forth on that ladder, talking to no one.

If you’re looking for a larger home, but still demand an outrageous library, let me recommend this $5.2 million estate off Providence Road.

Sure, the library isn’t quite as astounding as the library in the Queens Road house, but it does have a rare two-story design, balcony and spiral staircase.

If you end up buying one these homes for sale, I’ll be more than happy to join your book club — located in your library of course.

[Real estate tips? If you know of any unusual, interesting or perfect properties for sale or rent, let me know, [email protected]. Thanks!]