Can’t afford to slap down several million for a posh pad? Me neither, but it’s fun to fantasize. With that in mind, we searched the Multiple Listing Service on Feb. 14 to find the 12 most expensive homes for sale in Ottawa and Gatineau.
The priciest comes in at a whopping $9 million for Stoke Lacey, a waterfront home in Dunrobin built by developer Robert Campeau and once owned by high-tech tycoon Michael Cowpland.
It’s been on the market for several years and is priced primarily for its development potential.
As for the least expensive – a charming Tudor in Rockcliffe Park – it still comes in at a healthy $2.95 million.
So who buys these swanky places? They come from both near and far, says luxury real estate broker Marilyn Wilson (dreamproperties.com), who holds the record for the city’s most expensive sale – $8.25 million in 2005 for the Rockcliffe Park home of Antoine Paquin, another high-tech entrepreneur. It was also the wartime home of Dutch Princess Juliana, who later became queen.
“I love working with high-end buyers as they tend to be sophisticated, knowledgeable and opinionated,” says Wilson, who has listed half the homes in today’s top 12. “They are very observant and not afraid to discuss what they want.”
Tony Rhodes of Coldwell Banker Rhodes Company (cbrhodes.com), which holds three of the top listings, says most affluent buyers “want a dynamite location, close to good schools and a strong community where their children have access to parks, hockey rinks, tennis courts, sailing clubs.”
Adds agent Charles Sezlik (sezlik. com), whose top property is currently $2.65 million: “More and more that buyer is looking for livability . a lot of the people that we have looking in that price point want all of the things you’d have in the suburbs, but on a larger scale.”
So what do these homes have in common?
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Half are in Rockcliffe Park, not surprising since the tony enclave is a magnet for the city’s wealthy and boasts the highest concentration of multi-milliondollar homes. But while top-end listings were once almost exclusively in Rockcliffe Park, an increasing number are now scattered all over the region in desirable spots such as the Glebe, Rideau Forest, Rothwell Heights and Crystal Bay. Waterfront properties are also high on affluent buyers’ wish lists, according to Wilson.
BATHING IN LUXURY All have at least five bathrooms (one has eight) and many come with more than one ensuite, which is usually larger than many suburban bedrooms.
GOURMET GALORE
High-end kitchens with top-brand appliances such as Miele, Wolf, Sub-Zero and Dacor are standard. And forget laminate. It’s gotta be granite or marble, maybe quartz.
PLENTY OF PERKS
From putting greens to helipads, soaring atriums to underground garages, these addresses have plenty to offer.
Here’s a snapshot of the top 12 homes:
RURAL RETREAT
1 Asking price: $9 million
Location: Sixth Line Road, Dunrobin
What it is: Stoke Lacey Estate, a sprawling bungalow and beachfront property on the Ottawa River built by Campeau in the 1960s and later the home of Cowpland in the ’80s
Size: 17,000 square feet on about 218 acres
Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5
Extras: Believed to be the largest privately owned estate in Ottawa, comes with about 1,700 feet of beachfront and a fabulous view of the Gatineau Hills. Although in need of updating, it features a helipad, indoor and outdoor pools, racquetball, squash and tennis courts and cool dome over a hot tub.
MLS#: 814063
ENGLISH GRACE
2 Asking price: $6.99 million
Location: Buena Vista Road, Rockcliffe Park
What it is: Three-storey, stone-andstucco reminiscent of an English country manor and built in 1932 for the granddaughters of lumber baron Henry Franklin Bronson
Size: 8,000 square feet on half an acre
Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 6
Extras: Renovated and expanded in 2007 by architect Barry Hobin, it maintains subtle hints of its original Arts-and-Crafts influences, with stunning grounds overseen by landscape architect Ron Holbrook. Features a wine cellar for about 1,000 bottles, three wood-burning fireplaces with limestone mantels (two hand-carved in France) and an elegant conservatory.
MLS#: 807229
FRENCH CHARM
3 Asking price: $4.6 million
Location: Davidson Drive, Rothwell Heights
What it is: Custom two-storey French Country manor built in 2005
Size: 7,600 square feet on 1.8 acres
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 6
Extras: Two glass mosaic tile fireplaces with marble hearths, 1,000-bottle wine room off the dining room, dramatic upholstered walls in the master suite and a peek at the Ottawa River and Gatineau Hills in the distance.
MLS#: 818820
ROOMY, YET COSY
4 Asking price: $4.5 million
Location: Thorold Road, Rockcliffe Park
What it is: Three-storey classic Georgian renovated in 2009
Size: 9,500 square feet on 0.4 of an acre
Bedrooms: 5 + 2 Bathrooms: 6
Extras: Despite its mammoth size, it looks cosy, thanks to its warm tones. Features a gourmet kitchen with Wolf six-burner range and double oven and grand dining room that comfortably seats 14. Only home on its side of the block.
MLS#: 798800
WATERFRONT ESTATE
5 Asking price: $3.9 million
Location: Sixth Line Road, Dunrobin
What it is: Sprawling stone bungalow built in 1997
Size: Estimated 8,000 square feet on almost 28 acres
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 6
Extras: Gated luxury estate on the Ottawa River with fabulous view of the Gatineau Hills, includes a baseball diamond, tennis courts, indoor pool and boat launch.
MLS#: 819516
DOWNTOWN CONTEMPORARY
6 Asking price: $3.85 million
Location: Laurier Street, Gatineau
What it is: Waterfront penthouse condo built in 1973 with view of Parliament Hill
Size: 5,166 square feet on two levels
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 5
Extras: Dramatic, two-storey, glass-walled living room defines this contemporary condo. Serviced by private elevator and guest/employee suite with its own entrance, includes a wraparound outdoor terrace and an emphasis on curves.
MLS#: 8581335
BRIGHT AND AIRY
7 Asking price: $3.679 million
Location: Buchan Road, Rockcliffe Park
What it is: Two-storey with stone and siding facade built in the 1920s
Size: 4,500 square feet on about 0.75 of an acre
Bedrooms: 7 Bathrooms: 5
Extras: Stately home with large rooms (foyer alone is 26 feet across) and bright, airy spaces. Attention to detail in moulding, wainscotting, chandeliers and ceiling medallions. New marble kitchen opens to comfortable breakfast room and enclosed porch. Upstairs, there’s a separate bedroom wing for guests or nannies.
MLS#: 813827
WATERFRONT BEAUTY
8 Asking price: $3.65 million
Location: Revelstoke Drive, Mooney’s Bay
What it is: Contemporary bungalow built in 2003
Size: 7,000 square feet on 1.4 acres
Bedrooms: 3 + 1 Bathrooms: 6
Extras: Dramatic design with strong architectural features and an abundant use of glass to highlight the home’s riverfront setting overlooking Mooney’s Bay. Luxurious master suite includes gas fireplace surrounded by windows and a dressing area larger than the average bedroom. Grounds include tennis courts, swimming and a private boat dock.
MLS#: 806568
RIVER JEWEL
9 Asking price: $3.375 million
Location: Grandview Road, Crystal Bay
What it is: Stone-fronted two-storey built in 1981
Size: Estimated 4,000 square feet on a 320-foot-wide, waterfront lot
Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5
Extras: This property is all about maximizing the panoramic river view, with main-floor master suite, solarium, den and kitchen among rooms facing the water. Includes private boat launch.
MLS#: 819517
FAB FENG-SHUI
10 Asking price: $3.1 million
Location: Minto Place, Rockcliffe Park
What it is: Brick two-storey designed by Frank Ling and built by Terra Nova Construction in 1995
Size: About 5,000 square feet on an 111-foot wide, irregular lot
Bedrooms: 3 + 2 Bathrooms: 5
Extras: Stunning 35-foot atrium topped with an oversized skylight is the heart of this unique home, which also features Brazilian walnut floors, cove ceilings, beautiful landscaping and koi pond.
MLS#: 806474
GEORGIAN CHARM
11 Asking price: $2.965 million
Location: Manor Avenue, Rockcliffe Park
What it is: Two-storey Georgian built in the early ’90s then completely renovated in 2005 and 2006
Size: About 4,800 square feet on a third of an acre
Bedrooms: 4 + 1 Bathrooms: 6
Extras: Stately home with formal entrance featuring curved staircase and Juliette balcony, well-proportioned rooms, spacious and bright corner kitchen and private rear yard.
MLS#: 807863
ENGLISH ELEGANCE
12 Asking price: $2.95 million
Location: Fairview Avenue, Rockcliffe Park
What it is: Three-storey Tudor built around 1997
Size: More than 6,000 square feet on about half an acre
Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 8
Extras: Includes self-contained guest house, marble-surround fireplaces in the living and dining rooms, circular family room, 13-foot butcher block kitchen island.
MLS#: 819431