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A very rare opportunity indeed |
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Richard K.C. Ling, Broker
Harvey Kalles Real Estate Limited, Brokerage
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A very rare opportunity indeed |
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9323 Danforth Road East
Cobourg
Canadian $658,900 / ~ U.S. $440,000
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Richard's Notes
The
Region
Tap into what the cognoscenti have known for several years, a little bit of insider information if you will - Port Hope and Cobourg is turning into a bedroom community of Toronto. 50 minutes of highway driving east of Toronto on HWY 401, Port Hope is one of (maybe a couple), towns in Ontario that has a proactive Heritage Conservatory that has prevented bulldozing of Century Homes for Parking Lots - "managed growth" is a term that comes to mind. Cobourg, just 10 minutes east of Port Hope, is the "sister" township that is one of Toronto's favourites. Then there is Grafton, just another wee bit east.
And it is a good thing. Steeped in history, the "triplets" were the playgrounds of the Rich and Famous since the early 1800's. That would explain all the majestic estates in the surrounding countryside.
Northumberland County, where the "triplets" lie, benefits 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. A recent article in Toronto Star (July 1, 2002) mentioned that a developer from Peterborough is planning to develop a 4,800 people retirement community in Port Hope. He does have the vision and started accumulating land mass 10 years back.
Northumberland County is only part of this "managed growth" phenomenon , although, additionally, there seems to be a trend in Health Spas popping up the the area as well as the traditional Country Fare. Moving slightly eastward, 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. I am sure this will be 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.
From another point-of-view, with the reciprocal commerce between Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, Northumberland is the Gateway to Toronto from travelers in these regions. A good break after 4 - 5 hours of driving!
The House
It is rarely that I think of a car when I see a house - but I keep hearing the new Infinity FX45 commercial....."Want an SUV, Want a Sports Car .... You can have it all". Of course then I free associate to an Aston Martin, then James Bond ..... There is something about the feel of the property that immediately says "Have it all" - a private paradise - "pleasure dome" if you will, for one's own enjoyment or with friends. Yet, it is also very conducive for a family environment. As it is the case for the current owner, Wolfgang Kunsken, area's accomplished niche estate developer of the W. Kunsken and Sons - Building / Interior Decoration fame. I am sure this was exactly in his mind when he designed the layout. Mr. Kunsken's German lineage, and life style, commands an almost exacting perfection and quality throughout the compound. I know, I should have referenced the Porsche Carrera, or in this case, the Cayenne, but the feel of the place is definitely an Aston Martin!
I can write volumes on the special features and the workmanship of the property. Some of which are notably "behind the scene". Such as the triple roof and wall system - this contributes to a very low energy cost of $2,686 for the year for a 4,200 sq.ft. home. Then there is the doomed cedar ceiling. Or the floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the living room. Or the zero clearance fireplace, the hand hammered exhaust copper hood for above the kitchenette/bar which is definitely one-of-a-kind not to mentioned costly to produce; and the 6 jet therapeutic interior whirlpool across the room from the bar in the Entertainment Centre. (Yes, Mr. Kunsken has a private whirlpool in his room too when the occasions arise that require more privacy.) Then there is the hand hammered copper fountain next to the Gazebo (Dry Bar) just outside the Entertainment Centre on the lower level (where the swimming pool used to be). As well, all Bedrooms have their private Ensuites - 3 pieces and up; and private balconies (walk out to Patio for the Guest Quarter). Did I mention a 5 Shower Heads "Shower Room" in the Master Ensuite? While there is a Guest Quarter on the lower (first) level, Mr. Kunsken has a Guest Cabin at the other side of the property surround by mature tress for even better privacy. He also told me that he had reconstructed this Cabin with the lumber from the original structure in the area dating back to the Anglo American War in the late 1800's.
Mr. Kunsken had built the neighbouring two other Estates as well. With foresight, he had recessed these homes behind stands of mature trees. As such, when one glances out from his balconies and rooms on the east side, one feels the pastoral grandeur of the grounds much larger than the 2+ acres. Catching a glimpse of the glistening reflections from the stream running just south of the northern boundary is just heavenly!
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