Cottage of the Week: $12 million for a manicured 1.6-acre island in Muskoka
ADDRESS: St. Helen’s Island
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Muskoka Lakes
AGENT: Richard Scully, Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage
PRICE: $12,000,000
THE PLACE: A 1.6-acre island on Muskoka’s Five Mile Bay with a main cottage, a two-bedroom guest cottage and a boathouse with yet more accommodation.
BRAGGING RIGHTS: Other than owning an entire island? How about the 1,677 feet of waterfront—you’ll be able to find a sunny patch at any hour of the day.
BIG SELLING POINT: The three-slip boathouse has a massive deck, dockside gazebo, wet bar, stone patio and fire pit (and amazing sun exposure). If only garages in the city were this well-appointed.
POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER: The great room in the main cottage, with a huge stone fireplace, dark wood finish, deer and duck taxidermy and antler-like light fixtures, has the impressiveness of a hunting lodge, but is probably a love-it-or-hate-it room. Vegans will want to redecorate immediately.
BY THE NUMBERS:
• $12,000,000
• 6,400 square feet of living space
• 5 bedrooms
• 4 bathrooms
• 3-slip boathouse
• 1.6 acres
• 1 island
156900 A winding path along the perimeter of the island St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens27-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens27.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens27.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens27/ aug12sthelens27 0 0
156901 Muskoka chairs are scattered around the island St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens26-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens26.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens26.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens26/ aug12sthelens26 0 0
156893 The boathouse St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens33-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens33.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens33.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens33/ aug12sthelens33 0 0
156894 One of three slips in the boathouse St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens34-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens34.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens34.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens34/ aug12sthelens34 0 0
156915 The bar area St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens12/ aug12sthelens12 0 0
156917 The sitting room on the upper level of the boathouse St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens10/ aug12sthelens10 0 0
156895 The boathouse has a large deck and a gazebo as well as a wet bar and accommodation St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens32-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens32.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens32.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens32/ aug12sthelens32 0 0
156899 A firepit in the foreground, with the massive boathouse behind St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens28-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens28.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens28.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens28/ aug12sthelens28 0 0
156897 Looking up to the cottage from the waterfront St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens30-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens30.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens30.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens30/ aug12sthelens30 0 0
156902 A stone staircase leads from the main house to the boathouse St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens25.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens25/ aug12sthelens25 0 0
156904 The two-bedroom guest house St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens23.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens23/ aug12sthelens23 0 0
156907 Another of the five bedrooms in the main house St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens20.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens20/ aug12sthelens20 0 0
156908 The master ensuite bathroom has a stand-alone tub and shower St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens19/ aug12sthelens19 0 0
156909 The master bedroom, second level St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens18/ aug12sthelens18 0 0
156910 The master bedroom has a timber ceiling St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens17/ aug12sthelens17 0 0
156921 The foyer, with a wooden staircase and hand-crafted metal railings. The second floor contains the master suite, a second bedroom and the laundry room. The lower level has a rec room, a spare room and the utility room St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens5.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens5/ aug12sthelens5 0 0
156912 A sitting area, also on the veranda St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens15/ aug12sthelens15 0 0
156913 A dining area on the covered veranda St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens14/ aug12sthelens14 0 0
156911 The kitchen St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens16/ aug12sthelens16 0 0
156914 The “ladies’ sitting room” is also on the main floor of the main cottage St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens13/ aug12sthelens13 0 0
156919 The games room St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens8.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens8/ aug12sthelens8 0 0
156920 This room is currently being called the “gentlemen’s games room,” though we imagine ladies are welcome St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens7.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens7/ aug12sthelens7 0 0
156922 The great room, complete with a floor to ceiling Muskoka stone fireplace St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens6/ aug12sthelens6 0 0
156923 St. Helen’s Island is 1.6 acres St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens2.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens2/ aug12sthelens2 0 0
156924 An aerial view of the island and its neighbours St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens1.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens1/ aug12sthelens1 0 0
156925 The main cottage has several verandas and well-manicured grounds St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens4/ aug12sthelens4 0 0
156929 The wood and stone exterior of the 6,400-square-foot main cottage St. Helen’s Island St. Helen’s Island https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StHelens_intro.jpg 656 440 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-of-the-week-st-helens-island/slide/aug12sthelens_intro/ aug12sthelens_intro 0 0
You too can dream of living in the tackiest cottage on earth.
Manicured indeed. Far too much tweaking with nature here. A much more natural landscape would be nicer.
They’re kidding with the ‘gentlemen’s game room’ and ‘ladies sitting room’, right?
There’s a whole lot of ugly in that place.
That’s hilarious. $12 million for a cottage on less than 2 acres AND one you have to boat to? really? Here’s an idea. Why don’t you guys start showing cottages that sensible people might buy?
“AND one you have to boat to?”.
No, YOU”RE HILARIOUS.
The idea of a cottage that is only boat access is romantic, rustic and so Canadian. What could truly be more ideal?
whole bunch of haters on here.
I think it’s lovely and super sympathetic to the traditional turn of the century cottages that were originally built in that area.
I spent time in a much smaller version also built on an island and long before there were roads or towns up there. When the cottage was built everything had to be sent up from New England via train and then boat or sled. Modest cottage that it was, it still had imported english china printed with an illustration of the cottage as seen from above, real silver utensils, crystal glassware and imported german heavy woven wool blankets and asian silk throws kept in custom wood chests at the foot of each bed.
They knew how to cottage in the 1800’s I’ll tell you that. This style of cottage is something that gets handed down from generation to generation for private use, which is why few people even get a chance to see such a thing and perhaps why it may seem so foreign. Too bad people think a crappy plywood 70’s shell or a viceroy special are the way to define a traditional Canadian styled cottage.
This new build is far more in keeping with the style and intent of the area. So what if it costs 12 million, it’s not like any of us are going to buy it anyhow.
Just enjoy being able to see what’s inside for a change…
Laura….from your first sentence to your last……well said!!
Very nice cottage! Over the top for nearly everyone? Sure, but still authentic however grand. I’d ditch the frilly materials and floral prints in some of the rooms, and go for landscaping similar to the path around the perimeter (i.e., *much* less finished), but those are personal preferences. Otherwise, I generally love the aesthetic and materials throughout…if only I could afford it.
It’s also great that we’re getting cottages now, rather than houses on lakes.
awwww. littledoe seems shocked. To have to take a boat to a $12 million dollar tiny island IS ridiculous. Sorry if you are offended by it. Personally I’d much rather be on a small motorboat-less lake without the multi-millionaires flashing their cash because they can. These are NOT cottages. They are mansions. As a lifelong summer cottager I know what I’m talking about.
Nice humblebrag, Laura. Kudos for that one.
i personally think a cottage is a place i want to go to relax!
gimme 2 bedrooms, a sleeping cabin, small useable kitchen, good sized dining table to play board games on at night, and a couch with a big picture window over looking a lake.
this 12 million dollar cottage seems way too “fussy” to have any fun in! can you walk thru this place with a wet bathing suit without your housekeeper screaming at you for dripping on the antique floor?
Really it’s a chance to see what’s out there, and to see inside. If your shopping hit up MLS and type in your price range, this is may doing what they do best- showing stuff off. All the haters that roam this site – get a life!
Silly iPhone! Sorry for so many typos. A magazine doing what it does best- end quote.
rosebud……rosebud…..
Haters? And… just because we think something is ridiculously overpriced.
Great bones, horrid, dark decor. The entire interior needs a facelift.
…props to Laura for this:
“This style of cottage is something that gets handed down from generation to generation for private use, which is why few people even get a chance to see such a thing and perhaps why it may seem so foreign. Too bad people think a crappy plywood 70′s shell or a viceroy special are the way to define a traditional Canadian styled cottage. ”
She nailed it.
What a hole. I guess if you have the 12M for it, then you likely have another 1 or 2M to replace the horrors…