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Stately New England Brick Mansion |
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Richard K.C. Ling, Broker
Harvey Kalles Real Estate Limited, Brokerage
Northumberland Hills, Ontario
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Stately New England Brick Mansion |
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SKYTOP Taormina Pool w/Fiber
optic Lighting in Landscaped
Field Stone Patio with Waterfall
SKYTOP Tennis Court
Professionally - Reground Asphalt, Compacted w/Skid Resistant Rubberized Finish
In 40 Acres Overlooking Large
Pond, Lush Greens and Lake Ontario
24 Rooms (including Nanny's
Suite), 7 Bedrooms, 9 Bathrooms with probably the largest Private Gym this side
of Beverley Hills
4 Car Garage with Paved
Circular Driveway w/Unilock Stone Skirt to Tennis Court, White Picket Fence,
w/Centre Floral Island
His/His Ensuite Bathrooms
with Walk-in Closets & Marble Floors in Master overlooking Fields of Green
Home Theatre, Steam Room, 2x
Sun Room (One Sitting/One with 29 Jet Hot Tub) overlooking Sweeping Vistas
2-Section Games Room
(Billiard w/Iguana Aquarium and Parlour with Floor-to-Ceiling Stone Fireplace)
~635 sq.ft. Foyer with
Airlock, Book Matched Breccia Anchiata Marble Throughout (2x Closets, 2pc
Powder)
Solid Oak Doors, 856 sq.ft.
Custom Kitchen by an Award Wining Designer Denise Holmes
Staircase, and Trim Work in
Great Room, Sunroom and Arches by Fred Le Coz of "LeCoz Upper Canada Design"
Secant Security
System and Elan
Home Audio System
Ground Source Heating/Cooling
Ventilation System combined w/Polyterm Radiant Floor System
All this and more just 1¼
Hour of Highway Driving East of TO in the midst of Spa Country
Is there such a thing as Over Indulgent?
Canadian $1,500,000 / ~ U.S. Almost Par!
Richard's Notes
I was in AWE when I stepped into the Foyer. I thought I was hallucinating after a hard day's work and was actually back in TO inspecting a home in the Bridlepath...... Let's rewind. I found it intriguing when I was told about the quality of the interiors over the phone. As I was driving south on Thomas Road, after passing through Grafton on County Road 2, I noticed this impressive (not overly imposing) "white" structure with four chimneys on a slow rise - the white picket fence is a nice touch. I toured the SkyTOP tennis court (with Basketball Corner) and Inground pool surrounded by field stones with landscaping and waterfall. The View is breathtaking.
The owner pointed out the special quality and the process of cutting the Breccia Anchiata to make it possible for the "Book Matched" pattern. This marble covers the 635+ sq.ft. Foyer, including the Airlock Anteroom and the two closets and the Powder Room. The next thing he pointed out was the pattern of the wall-to-wall carpet covering the entire Games Room and the Second Floor landing. It's the "Florence" pattern, 125 year old by Axminister Carpet Ltd (U.K.), copyrighted and produced on a limited basis. All wool, of course. Then there is the Iguana Aquarium in the Billiard Room. Hmmmm, how intriguing. The Custom Kitchen by an Award Winning Kitchen Designer with a Centre Peninsula (Gibraltar Counter Top with matching hanging lighting - pot lights) the size of Manhattan. Oh yes, the Secretary is actually housed in an alcove. I LOVE THE VIEW - the best I have seen thus far in my travels.... overlooking lush forests, large pond and Lake Ontario. This can be enjoyed in the wall-to-wall windows (Motorized Hunter Douglas Silhouette Blinds) in both Sun Rooms (one with a 29 Jet Hot Tub) and both Games Rooms. Smart Wired, Secant Home Security System, Elan Surround Sound System that doubles as an intercom (the music will turn off when the telephone rings or the intercom is activated) - with an additional a microchip or two, I am sure this will rival Billy's $60 million Estate in California.
It's rather decadent to have a his/hers Ensuite Bathrooms in the Master. The Nanny's Suite is perfect for the adventurous teenager - imagine an apartment all to oneself. Truthfully, I have not seen a gym this big in the lower level this side of Beverley Hills! Great to have a Steam Room (77 sq.ft.) to relax after a work out and then soak in the 4 Jet Whirlpool in the adjoining 4 piece bathroom. There is an additional room that would be perfect for a massage session by your personal masseur! Last but not least, all bedrooms on the second level have Ensuites (or semi Ensuites).
On The Region
Steeped in history, Northumberland was the playground of the Rich and Famous since the early 1800's. That would explain all the majestic estates in the surrounding countryside.
Grafton, Port Hope and Cobourg, the three jewels of Northumberland County, benefit from the growing trend of "city folk" moving out from the hustle and bustle in the "big smoke" to somewhere quieter and safer. With the Internet revolutionizing the way we do business and communicate, many have taken advantage of what telecommuting has to offer. When we placed the Director of Marketing for a major National Bookstore in Grafton 4 years back, he traded his home in North York for a 100 acre farm with a restored Century Home that once belonged to the Masseys for $550,000. I am sure it's worth a lot more now.
Northumberland County is only part of this phenomenon of "managed growth", although Port Hope, being the closest, has positioned itself to be a gateway of sort. Port Hope, indeed, is unique with it's water frontage, Yacht, Golf and Country Clubs, developed cultural events and mildly eccentric denizens. Grafton is the "country" of the region - rich in Confederation History. A stone throw away is the We have the Big Apple in Colborne that opens year round attracting millions. And Brighton turning into a well received retirement community - great success in the development of Brighton-by-the-Bay by a REIT. Then Prince Edward County, with picturesque Picton, is turning into the other Wine Producing region. After selling The Hillcrest in Port Hope to an area Spa, I see a few more popping up that provide a variety of alternatives and choices. Another client from the U.K., now a good friend, is setting up another one in Brighton (www.ElementalEmbrace.com). This is quite special - as influenced by her background as a hotelier in Africa and her son as an impresario in the entertainment/music industry in the U.K. and New York. Then there is Trenton and Belleville, led by one of the most dynamic Economic Development Boards in the person of Chris King; and Kingston, which is experiencing phenomenal growth.
Then there is The Old Canning Factory in the Hamlet of Grafton that I sold recently to a Book Designer from the Republic of Rathnelly (it's actually a neighbourhood of Forest Hills which declared themselves a Republic so they can serve wine during Block Parties). He is transforming the Factory into a Loft Country Home dedicating a portion as a gallery for regional artists under the direction and design of one of TO's top designer who is currently working on a $20 million home in the Bridlepath. Hmmm, perhaps reminiscent of Warhol's Factory? And how much did his compound in Martha's Vineyard sold for? (I think it was recently listed at US$50 million. I also think he got it for under US$1 million in the sixties.) I think Grafton is heading in this direction with what all the region has to offer - Spa, Wine, History just to name three!
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More Information |
Neighbourhood Restaurant - Grafton Village Inn
Neighbourhood
Barnum House Museum
Neighbourhood Nauwatin Sanctuary
Additional Pictures
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Telephone: 416.441.2888 x 522 Cellular: 416.809.0909 /1.888.232.2088
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Address: 2145 Avenue Road, Toronto, Ontario M5M 4B2 Canada