SOUTHERN ONTARIO’S AWARD-WINNING RESORT IS OPENING SUMMER 2017
Friday Harbour, the long-awaited resort gem on Lake Simcoe, counts down to next year’s grand opening
What are Southern Ontario residents looking for in a vacation property? With demanding schedules and busy lifestyles, many are steering away from exhausting traffic jams, lengthy drives and high-maintenance cottage and chalet properties and seeking a more relaxed and stress-free resort option.
That’s the appeal of Friday Harbour. It’s an all-season escape that’s close to the GTA — less than an hour’s drive or a short trip on the GO train — with plenty of amenities. Sitting on the west side of Lake Simcoe in Innisfil, just south of Barrie, this masterplan resort community will encompass more than 600 acres, with a world-class 40-acre inland marina with 1,000 boat slips. A 50,000-square-foot downtown village will include 25 stores, restaurants, bars and cafes. The community will also have a large nature preserve, an 18-hole championship golf course and a wide array of state-of-the-art amenities, says Earl Rumm, a partner and director of sales and marketing for Friday Harbour.
“Right now, we’re pouring about $500 million into construction and infrastructure,” Rumm says. “Our downtown village is going into phase two of construction and will be ready next summer. The marina is fully built and flooded. The nature trails are mostly complete. The infrastructure for the development and the golf course are well underway. And phase one residences will all close in the next 18 months.”
While the resort is still a year away from opening, buyers have already purchased most of the units currently available, comprised of marina and island townhomes and harbour flat and boardwalk condominiums. “In two years, we haven’t had a week where we haven’t sold at least two units, and on average, we’re selling four or five a week,” says Rumm, who manages a sales team headed by Jonah Rumm and Tyler Haraldson.
Friday Harbour won six BILD (Building Industry and Land Development) awards in 2016, including the people’s choice award for best development and best sales and marketing.
“We started selling in May 2014, and in two years we’ve pre-sold more than 600 of the 750 units currently available, approaching $400 million in net pre-sales,” says Rumm. “This fall, we’ll be releasing more townhomes and condos. Right now, the average selling price is about $550 per square foot for the condos and about $500 per square foot for the townhomes. In the fall, we’ll be starting at under $600 per square foot, with units situated on the nature preserve and overlooking the harbour.”
Units currently available go from the mid $300s to over $1 million; families can purchase a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit in the $300,000 to $500,000 range — prices competitive to homes in cottage country but without the hassle, the drive or the work.
“When you come to Friday Harbour, we take care of you. We do all the maintenance and provide all the entertainment,” says Rumm. “We have everything you need to feed and entertain your guests so you can have fun all weekend without having to lift a finger.” To find out more about Friday Harbour, visit the Experience Centre located at Eagles Nest Golf Club, 10,000 Dufferin Street (just north of Major Mackenzie). Hours: Monday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday and holidays: By appointment only Email: info@fridayharbour.com Phone: (647) 351-0991 Web: fridayharbourresort.com