Cottage of the Week: $8.5 million for the former Eaton family 2,500-acre hunting preserve
ADDRESS: Boundary Lake Property
NEIGHBOURHOOD : Seguin Township, Township of the Archipelago, Georgian Bay
AGENT : George Webster, Moffat Dunlap Real Estate Ltd.
PRICE : $8.5 million
THE PLACE : The name of the estate might not resonate as much as Hyannisport , the Kennedys’ Cape Cod compound, but Boundary Lake was once the summer escape of Canada’s uncrowned monarchy, the Eatons. Their Georgian Bay retreat was first developed by John David Eaton in the 1940s as a hunting preserve and was used by the family until the late ’90s, when an orthodontist from Grimsby purchased the site and restored the buildings.
BRAGGING RIGHTS : Hyannisport is a paltry six acres compared with Boundary’s enormous 2,500 acres, which extend over two townships and provide access to more lakes than there are days of the week. To put the size in perspective, you could fit 60 Eaton Centres on the site and still have room for all the cabins, the boathouse and at least one of the lakes (suck it, Camelot).
BIG SELLING POINT : The property is bordered on three sides by Massasauga Provincial Park, a nature preserve accessible only by water, which basically acts like a 32,100-acre buffer against anything or anyone attempting to encroach on your Arcadian kingdom.
POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER : Speculators eager to buy the place and subdivide it, and its many lake fronts, into scores of smaller cottage properties have to ask themselves: how many buyers are going to pay premium bucks for a vacation home as the stock market goes through more ups and downs than Lindsay Lohan’s career?
BY THE NUMBERS :
• 2,500 acres
• 7 bedrooms divided between 3 cabins
• 2 bathrooms
• 1 sauna
• 1 sugar shack
• 1 root cellar
• 1 barn
• 1 island
• 1 herd of elk
• 1 boathouse
84011 Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_intro-624x390.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_intro.jpg 624 390 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_intro/ aug11cotwboundary_intro 0 0
84013 The two-bedroom master cottage Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_1.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_1/ aug11cotwboundary_1 0 0
The two-bedroom master cottage
84014 Rustic and real Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_2.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_2/ aug11cotwboundary_2 0 0
Rustic and real
84015 Nothing ostentatious about this cottage (except, you know, the 2,500 acres of property) Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_3.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_3/ aug11cotwboundary_3 0 0
Nothing ostentatious about this cottage (except, you know, the 2,500 acres of property)
84016 Both bedrooms in the master cottage have lake-front porches. Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_4.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_4/ aug11cotwboundary_4 0 0
Both bedrooms in the master cottage have lake-front porches.
84017 The original Eaton family hunting lodge Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_5.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_5/ aug11cotwboundary_5 0 0
The original Eaton family hunting lodge
84018 The living room, kitchen and dining areas are open and apparently all flow from one gigantic, hunting-themed chandelier. Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_6.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_6/ aug11cotwboundary_6 0 0
The living room, kitchen and dining areas are open and apparently all flow from one gigantic, hunting-themed chandelier.
84019 The ceiling beams are peeled timber. Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_7.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_7/ aug11cotwboundary_7 0 0
The ceiling beams are peeled timber.
84020 Pine, maple and cedar woods detail the master cottage Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_8.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_8/ aug11cotwboundary_8 0 0
Pine, maple and cedar woods detail the master cottage
84021 Modern updates that maintain the traditional country charm Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_9.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_9/ aug11cotwboundary_9 0 0
Modern updates that maintain the traditional country charm
84022 The lake view from a guest room in the master cottage Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_10.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_10/ aug11cotwboundary_10 0 0
The lake view from a guest room in the master cottage
84023 This bedroom boasts windows that can also be used as doors. Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_11.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_11/ aug11cotwboundary_11 0 0
This bedroom boasts windows that can also be used as doors.
84024 Giant moose head (poor Bullwinkle) Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_12-471x624.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_12.jpg 471 624 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_12/ aug11cotwboundary_12 0 0
Giant moose head (poor Bullwinkle)
84025 Antlers absolutely everywhere in the hunting lodge (fitting, but still creepy) Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_13.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_13/ aug11cotwboundary_13 0 0
Antlers absolutely everywhere in the hunting lodge (fitting, but still creepy)
84026 Inside the original 1940 lodge designed by John David Eaton Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_14.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_14/ aug11cotwboundary_14 0 0
Inside the original 1940 lodge designed by John David Eaton
84027 Ditto Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_15.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_15/ aug11cotwboundary_15 0 0
Ditto
84028 Picnics must have been very difficult in 1940. Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_16.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_16/ aug11cotwboundary_16 0 0
Picnics must have been very difficult in 1940.
84029 Raw, beautiful landscape Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_17.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_17/ aug11cotwboundary_17 0 0
Raw, beautiful landscape
84030 The tree is hanging onto the shore for dear life. Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_18.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_18/ aug11cotwboundary_18 0 0
The tree is hanging onto the shore for dear life.
84031 Big lake, small boathouse Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_19.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_19/ aug11cotwboundary_19 0 0
Big lake, small boathouse
84032 Ash, oak, maple and birch trees changing colour in the fall Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_20.jpg 624 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_20/ aug11cotwboundary_20 0 0
Ash, oak, maple and birch trees changing colour in the fall
84033 A campus of cabins Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_21.jpg 624 220 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_21/ aug11cotwboundary_21 0 0
A campus of cabins
84034 On the drive in Boundary Lake Property https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/aug11COTWboundary_22.jpg 624 220 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/cottage-former-eaton-family-hunting-preserve/slide/aug11cotwboundary_22/ aug11cotwboundary_22 0 0
On the drive in
gorgeous pristine land verging on affordable. with its own museum. whats not to love.
Not loving the price… Then again if you do subdivide it and build it into a luxury cottages you would make money on it but you’d have to wait a while for wall street to regroup.
a little too rustic for me
looks like the EATON FAMILY was roughing it when they went north ,,not the biggest of cottages ..but lots of land for expansion …wondering what was the buying price originally..thinking less than the price of property taxs for a year today ..
Yuck. The price must be for the land and not the buildings or furniture. How horrible to go and set up a place to live in the animals natural environment and then to thank the lovely creatures for sharing it with you by killing them and hanging parts of their now lifeless bodies on your walls. Do hunters think they are big tough heros killing innocent animals? So disturbing. Find something better to do with your time. Maybe making a positive contribution in the world.
“BRAGGING RIGHTS: Hyannisport is a paltry six acres compared with Boundary’s enormous 2,500 acres, (suck it, Camelot). Are you kidding! You’re comparing this this empty lot with the history and elegance of Hyannisport. You Torontonians really are assholes!
well, it was a hunting lodge – get rid of the “animal parts” and It would be quaint – and very private.
you can buy 2500 acres of swamp land anywhere in ontario…if the land is managed good luck subdividing
Fuck this shed…