Available from Rick Scully-Harvey Kalles for $10,795,000
"In this business, we often say that every property has a blemish," laughs Rick Scully, sales representative at Harvey Kalles Real Estate Brokerage. "But this one? I'd be hard pressed to find it. It really hits all the right buttons."
The property Rick is talking about is jaw-dropping 5,500-square-foot beauty on over 500 feet of Lake Rosseau frontage in the highly sought-after Brackenrig area. And the close-to-flawless assessment? Well, that was part of the plan all along.
"When the builder built it," explains Rick, "his vision was to have the perfect exposure on the perfect piece of land, with long, big-water views, and both sand beaches and deep water for swimming." Check, check, check, check, and check.
Add to this the fact that the cottage is a seven-minute drive from downtown Port Carling, and you have essentially the ultimate package, a combination of attributes that by Rick's assessment you might find in a half-dozen properties on each of the Big Lakes, but that, not surprisingly, rarely appears on the market.
In every way imaginable, the property is geared to multigenerational living. Start with the topography. Situated on a gentle, level piece of land with meticulously planned flagstone terraces and pathways, it's refreshingly forgiving for unsteady toddlers and aging knees alike.
Plus, with its three-slip, two-storey cedar-lined boathouse outfitted with a bar and bathroom, and sensational waterside outdoor entertaining area with built-in barbecue and pizza oven, you can spend the whole day by the lake without having to make trips back and forth to the main cottage.
Younger generations will enjoy a spectacular children's playground, waterside fire pit, swim dock, and sandy beach, as well as ample opportunity for water sports and games.
And with its beautifully landscaped grounds and perennial gardens, flagstone terraces, and extensive docking, there are countless places to steal away for some quiet time with a book. "It's just perfect for three generations," says Rick. "Everybody can be together, but doing their own thing."
While some people still see the cottage as primarily a place to get away from it all, Rick increasingly sees proximity to "the Ports" as part of the appeal for family cottagers hoping to find a property on Muskoka's Big Three. "Families - especially families with kids - want to be able to access the amenities in town," says Rick. "For this cottage, minutes from Port Carling, the easy of running into town to get groceries, have lunch or dinner in one of the incredible restaurants, or stroll the shops on a rainy day, that's really attractive." Because Brackenrig Road is paved and maintained year-round that ease of access extends through all four seasons.
The cottage itself is a stunning blend perfectly complementary architectural influences. On the one hand, its multi-gabled roofline, timber-frame accents, and shake roof evoke the charm and tradition of olde Muskoka. On the other hand, the lake-facing exterior's soaring floor-to-ceiling windows and folding Nanawall affect a clean, sleek look, characteristic of the modern aesthetic.
Inside, luxury is the theme. Six bedrooms, each with an ensuite, make for perfect family accommodations. A seventh bedroom in the upper level of the boathouse ensures private waterside lodgings for additional guests. Visitors will delight at the dramatic timber-frame foyer and Great Room with Cathedral ceilings and classic stone fireplace. Meanwhile, you'll find the ideal circumstances for entertaining in an incredibly well-appointed kitchen overlooking comfortable sitting area and spacious lakefront dining room with retractable Nanawall. A charming four-season Muskoka room with stone fireplace and two-car garage with additional storage space round out the checklist of cottage essentials.
All told, it makes for the kind of listing Rick says you just don't see that often, even in Muskoka. "I think it's going to appeal to a wide range of people," he says. "And hopefully, once it's bought, it can stay in the family for generations to come."
