Canadians love their cottages. Even among those who don’t own one currently, there seems to be strong demand for weekend getaways. A recent RE/MAX Canada survey suggests more than half of millennials in the country are considering purchasing a vacation property, so it appears interest in cottages isn’t subsiding even as baby boomers, a primary driver of the segment, age. While it’s unlikely most Canadians of any age can afford these, here are five aspirational cottages — the most expensive listed for sale in Muskoka on the MLS.
1. 306 Burgess Road for $14,950,000
Photos: searchmuskokarealestate.com
This 18,000-square-foot lake house makes the average cottage look like an outhouse. Its specs read like a list of numeric typos: there’s 14 bathrooms, 10 bedrooms and the main floor area’s vaulted ceiling is more than 30-feet high, complete with rustic exposed beams.
Take advantage of the fact that the four-acre property includes more than 500 linear feet of sandy beach. A two-storey boat house sits on the edge of the property and includes a giant dock and gazebo.
Lake Rosseau for $14,499,000
Some prefer the character and history of an old cottage passed down through the generations, the smell of pine, the weathered dock. But there’s also interest in new builds in Muskoka, like this roughly 8,000-square-foot, five-bedroom lakeside retreat. The family room walks out onto the lake and boathouse.
244B Hammer Bay Road, Lake Joseph for $7,995,000
This is a definitive Ontario Cottage Country property, right down to the iconic screen Muskoka Room and great room with wood-burning fireplace. It has a modest four bedrooms and four bathrooms, but is still sizeable at about 4,400 square feet.
The dual-slip boathouse doubles as a guest suite, featuring two bedrooms and a full bathroom.
South Lake Joseph for $7,985,000
Realtors love to play up waterfront views, but this nearly 6,000-square-foot modern home is the waterfront. It’s perched right on Lake Joseph, so the water’s just a couple dozen feet from the living space (or closer if you’re on the deck).
This six-bedroom vacation home is also so new that the builder warranty still applies. There are all sorts of luxury features including radiant floor heating and a built-in sound system. Bask in the south-west exposure.
30 Glenavy Lane for $7,395,000
Photos: Darren Eagles Photography
Old meets new on at 30 Glenavy Lane on Lake Rosseau. In what the listing describes as the seven-bedroom home’s “private master oasis,” there’s a two-sided fire place, sitting area, and a yoga studio — the lattermost feature is hardly traditional for Muskoka but will doubtless appeal to many buyers. In all, it’s got 7,900-square-feet of living space, including the standard vaulted ceilings and lots of wood.
Outside, there’s 10 acres of land to roam, including a 635-foot-long stretch of shoreline. Of course there’s a boat house, and this property boasts a tennis court as well.
