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Quinte West 1872 Old Highway 2 (Sidney Ward) Asking price: $5-million Taxes: $21,000 (2014) Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 7 MLS # QR21406417
You could spend hours wandering through this grand custom-built stone residence and its impressive five-acre waterfront property on the Bay of Quinte.
The approach to the property is through wrought iron gates and along a tree-lined driveway that circles to the front door.
“A porte-cochère with curvedbeam construction will protect your departure or arrival from the elements,” says listing agent Elizabeth Crombie of Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty, who has listed the property with Mark Rollins.
Looking more like a resort hotel than a single-family home, the impressive mansion offers 10,000 square feet of living space built to the exacting specifications of its owner, a custom home builder.
The foyer, with an elegant wide fanlight over the door, has 18-foot ceilings and water views through south-facing windows. Custom trim on pillars, baseboards and coffered ceilings adds classic ambience.
The chef’s kitchen has a sunken eating area in a bay window and copious amounts of storage and counter space.
“You feel like you’re in Tuscany, with views of the stone patio, a heated saltwater pool and waterfront,” Ms. Crombie says.
The large, formal living and dining rooms have grand gas fireplaces. The dining room also has a walkout to the backyard.
A gas fireplace and a wrought iron balcony are master suite features. An impressive 300-sq.-ft. walk-in closet has an “incredible 50 feet of cupboards and a threeway full-length mirror,” she says. The ensuite bathroom has a skylight, a whirlpool tub and a twoperson marble shower.
Along with five bedrooms for family or guests, the home has seven bathrooms, and everything from a spa to a billiards room to a library. A gallery offers space for artwork, Ms. Crombie says.
The house and garage are made of the same natural Owen Sound ledge rock. “There are stone porches at all of the entrances, three natural cut stone chimneys and copper roofs above the solarium and kitchen,” she says.
The professionally landscaped lot has its own little island, accessible via a wooden bridge.
The property also has an underground sprinkler system connected to the bay. The shoreline is protected from the elements by a natural quarry stone that’s resistant to erosion.
A boat dock, a stone fire pit for s’mores-making and a private tennis court are also on the property. The tennis court has synthetic turf and seating for eight to 10 spectators. A separate coach house above the garage offers private quarters.