Properties will blend with the natural surroundings
The nature preserve is home to many waterfowl species as well as rabbits, beavers, foxes, mink, wolves, moose, deer and bear, and bass and trout live in Echo Lake. Mizzi says such a development could not proceed in such a location today and the partners had to adhere to the parameters of the original approvals for homes on lots of 1.5 to 4.4 acres.
The first 97 homes have been released, with occupancies in fall of 2022. Nine different models are available including bungalows, 1-1/2 storey and two-storey homes with contemporary architecture or classic Muskoka-inspired design. Sizes range from 1,475 to 3,703 square feet and prices start in the high $600,000s, which sales broker Kass Dobson of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services says compares favourably to local cottage prices of $1-millionplus.
“The lots won’t be landscaped as we want to keep the setting as natural as possible,” says Dobson. “There will be wood chips (for mulch and pathways, for example) made from trees removed from the lots and we will be repurposing material from the site to make the gravel driveways.”
A new paved road off Hwy. 60 leads to the 3,300-sq.-ft., 1-1/2storey board-and-batten model home with an open-concept layout and great room with stone fireplace, cathedral ceiling and wooden beams. Every home will have a screened-in Muskoka room and individual wells, septic systems and highefficiency propane furnaces.
Mizzi says he was unsure about how such a development would be received — especially since only a handful of Northern Lights’ lots are on water. But there’s been tremendous early response and he says potential buyers are impressed as he was by the spectacular landscape and views, including some of Lake of Bays.
“It literally has Algonquin Park (15 km east) in the background,” he says. Mizzi is building a home there as his family retreat and says other homeowners might live there part- or full-time, or rent their homes out on Airbnb. Homeowners will have plenty of nature to explore just outside their doors. Bikers, hikers and snowshoers can hop on the Echo Valley Nature and Bike Trails in the immediate neighbourhood with 3.5 km of main trails and 14 smaller trails of varying difficulty. The developers plan to add to the existing trail system.
Nearby Huntsville has gourmet dining, boutique and big box stores, galleries and theatre and unlike many cottage country towns, is vibrant yearround. Within a short drive of Northern Lights are Bigwin Island golf course, Deerhurst Resort, Dwight Beach, Lake of Bays beach and Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area. Boating opportunities in the immediate area include Lake of Bays, Mary, Fairy and Peninsula Lakes.
The two-storey SigNature Clubhouse on-site will have a gym, pool table, barbecue area, party room and infinity pool overlooking water. A pond will accommodate canoeing and kayaking, is stocked with trout and will be used as a skating rink in winter. While cottage living typically ends in October, Mizzi says Northern Lights provides the ability to enjoy activities year-round.
“The site is almost more beautiful in winter,” says Mizzi. “That’s when I fell in love with it. In the city, it’s grey, slushy and noisy and here, it’s crisp, white, quiet. It’s spectacular in winter.”