House of the Week: $4.8 million for a humongous Whitby estate with a turret and a 15-foot-tall waterfall

Neighbourhood: Central Whitby Price: $4,800,000 Size: 6,500 square feet Bedrooms: 4+4 Bathrooms: 5 Agent: Kelsey Schoenrock, Chestnut Park Real Estate

Related: $3 million for a Beaches classic with sci-fi light fixtures and a winding staircase

The place

A stately country house in Whitby sitting on a staggering 13 acres of forested land. Located off Anderson Street, it’s a short drive to Whitby’s downtown strip but far enough from city life to feel like an escape.

The history

The current owners, Bob and Judy, were living nearby and raising their three kids when they came across this property in 1991. Bob was eager for a slice of cottage life, and Judy wanted to stay close to Whitby, so the spot seemed like the perfect compromise. After several years of living off-site, they hired architect Duff Ryan and Vicki King of Willow Hill Designs to help them realize their dream. Construction finished in 2001, and now, 22 years later, they’re looking to downsize.

The tour

Stepping through the front door—imported from Colorado—reveals this grand foyer. On the right is the dining area, sectioned off by rounded, taupe-stained pine walls.

The partial wall and cut-out windows allow natural light into the space, and the room was built specifically to accommodate that large circular dining table.

Here’s a view from above. The outer ring of the table can be removed to seat smaller groups.

Just beyond the dining area is this lodge-inspired great room, with cedar log beams, pine ceilings and hemlock floors. The 20-foot-tall transom windows overlook land that backs onto the Greenbelt. 

That reading nook beside the limestone fireplace is the ideal spot for a morning coffee.

Opposite the great room is the kitchen, which features matte granite countertops, a butler’s pantry and an island with seating for three. The tin ceiling was made by an artisan in Waterloo.

The kitchen also has a wet bar.

And, yes, this home comes with a turret. This is its main level, which houses a breakfast room. There’s porch access through the doors on the left and a three-season sitting room on the right.

Here’s that sitting room—the owners wanted a space to enjoy the outdoors in the summertime without having to worry about flies and mosquitoes.

Back inside on the main floor is this office, which can be seen from the second floor.

Here’s the main-floor powder room, with an antique metal wash basin.

This laundry room down the hall has a built-in gift-wrapping station, and its large porcelain sink is great for prepping flower arrangements.

The primary bedroom sits on the main floor and features a faux-stone wall that conceals the ensuite bathroom.

The ensuite has plenty of storage. 

It also comes with a glass shower and jet tub that overlook the sprawling woods.

A quick detour outside shows off the main bedroom’s porch, which has more of those cedar logs, this time as pillars.

The catwalk on the second floor is almost always bathed in natural light.

Above the garage is the guest suite. Whitewashed ceilings and soft pine floors add a bit of freshness.

Here’s a reverse view of the suite to show its cozy window bench.

Guests also have their own ensuite.

This sewing room could easily be converted into another bedroom.

And so could this exercise room with vaulted ceilings.

The estate’s painting studio sits at the end of the second-floor hall. That railing on the right overlooks an escape ladder.

Here’s the ceiling, which is itself a work of art.

If a daring escape isn’t your thing, you can reach the basement via the winding staircase.

There are are four more bedrooms in the basement. This one has an ensuite.

Here’s that ensuite, with a double vanity and a raised shower.

Beyond these stained-glass doors is a walk-up bar, a media room, a games room, a wine cellar and a tasting area.

And here’s a look at that bar. The doors on the right lead to a 700-square-foot patio with a hot tub. 

The games room is fashioned for the outdoorsy types. 

The sunken media room showcases another fireplace (this one’s granite) and a movie screen that can be hidden away via the folding doors on either side. 

Here’s the tasting area, with hemlock flooring. It lives directly under the turret. 

Beside it is the wine cellar.

This huge workshop sits underneath the three-car garage. It’s completely separate from the main home, so it could be renovated into a rental unit.

Outside is this firepit with log benches. Since the owners have tapped many of the property’s maple trees, you could use the cauldron to boil sap. 

Here’s the back of the house, with its 15-foot-tall waterfall currently covered in snow.

The property also comes with a 12-foot lined pond, home to about 100 trout.

Have a house that’s about to hit the market? Send your listing to realestate@torontolife.com.