$15.2 million for a Bala compound steps from a dark-sky preserve

Location: Lake Muskoka, Bala Price: $15,200,000 Size: 7,500 square feet Bedrooms: 7 Bathrooms: 6 Real estate agent: David Bemmann, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

The Place

A seven-bedroom, six-bathroom year-round retreat, this property is a mix of party and privacy, with more than 90 metres of waterfront on a sheltered bay in Lake Muskoka. The blasted-granite rock-cut out front offers privacy, replacing what would have been a steep icy hill of a driveway in the winter. Nature lovers can take full advantage of the area with nearby access to the trails at Hardy Lake Provincial Park and the Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve. And motorists are just 10 minutes from the Kee to Bala, cottage country’s biggest music venue.

Related: $4.4 million for a Bellwoods Victorian with an iron gate and a forest’s worth of oak

The History

The current owners built this property a few years ago, working with the team at Cottage Country Builders and a designer to nail the details. At the same time, they prepared the lot for further expansion by flattening leftover rock from the driveway into a spot for a four-car garage, a sports court or even a helipad.

The Tour

The solid-wood floors throughout the cottage are a mix of rough-sawn cherry, oak and hickory for a warm feel that is very Muskoka modern.

A massive granite fireplace dominates the living room, which overlooks the treetops though a wall of windows.

Moving farther into the cottage reveals how the catwalk above breaks up the cavernous entryway. To the right, a coffee station complete with Miele appliances.

Turn around to take in the custom dining table. It seats 16 and is flanked by bifold doors that open for indoor-outdoor hosting.

In the kitchen: a full luxury appliance package, including a Sub-Zero fridge, a Wolf gas-burning range and two sinks.

Just off the dining area is this cozy second sitting room. Here, the whitewashed shiplap is swapped for a moodier stained-wood ceiling.

There’s an intimate gas firepit on the deck.

The rest of the ground level is dedicated to the main suite, which has its own lounge and private walkout. That reclaimed-wood accent wall keeps the rustic feeling going.

Now for the main ensuite, featuring a soaker tub, heated floors and an all-glass shower. The blinds on the window are automated too—the simple things, you know?

Upstairs, the catwalk allows light from the upper windows to flood the space.

The bedroom upstairs also has a lounge and an ensuite, plus a separated nanny suite above the garage, perfect for a long-term guest or live-in staff.

One carpenter spent months just designing and perfecting these built-in bunk beds. They’ve got all the fixings, like individual lighting and outlets in each cubby.

Just like the one downstairs, this bathroom comes with a deep tub and a double vanity.

This reading room is lined with wall-to-wall bespoke bookshelves and a rolling ladder.

The basement is where the real party starts, with an 80-inch TV over the custom-cut granite fireplace. The whole floor is engineered with steel beams to avoid any structural posts interfering with the pool table.

That same slab of granite was used as an accent for the climate-controlled wine cellar behind the wet bar.

Residents will find two more bedrooms down here, plus this totally soundproof home theatre. The starry LED ceiling is a nice touch.

There’s actually a laundry room upstairs, but this second one in the basement is specifically for picking up a fresh towel en route to the dock or outdoor spa.

The home spa zone has a hot tub, a sauna and an outdoor shower—all conveniently close to the bar inside.

Here’s another firepit, this one a little closer to the lake and equipped with a Bluetooth speaker system hidden in the rocks.

The two-slip boathouse is something to see.

Here’s the boathouse’s “fish-cleaning station,” which is Muskoka-speak for an informal bar.

Heading to the top floor highlights the living room, which is much bigger than those in most Toronto condos.

The bedroom looks right onto Lake Muskoka.

And there’s a little kitchenette here as well.

Finally, here’s an aerial view of the property. This corner of Muskoka has calm waters and low winds thanks to the shelter of the bay—but it still has those big-lake views.

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