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Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

What cabin in the woods would be complete without a party bar right on the lake, fir all over and design from the award-winning firm Partisans?

By Alex Cyr| Photography by Josh Cameron, Wylie Ford
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Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

Location: Bernyk Island, Georgian Bay Price: $5,999,000 Built: 1972 Size: 3,960 square feet Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 4 Realtor: Lisa LePage, Royal LePage In Touch Realty


The place

A beach-style family compound sitting on 17 acres of Georgian Bay’s Bernyk Island. The main residence has five bedrooms and four bathrooms and connects to a 5,000 square-foot dock. Also on the property is a three-bedroom guest house, a two-bedroom homestead and a two-bedroom bunker. The entire piece of land is a 10-minute boat ride from Frying Pan Island’s restaurants, marina and SSCA community centre.

The history

In the 1950s, an outdoor enthusiast built the main cottage as a hunting and fishing cabin. The location was prime: it came with miles of lake exposure and was shielded from the wind by a forest. Over the years, the builder expanded his haven to include an entertainment space and then built more cottages on it to host family and friends. The property changed hands in 1999, and the new owners added a network of granite paths around the buildings, a wooden dock facing the bay and a grass badminton court. They also hired award-winning Toronto firm Partisans (famous for Bar Raval) to design a grotto-style sauna.

The property is now up for grabs. Realtor Lisa LePage says that the land, divided into six building lots, comes with tremendous development potential.

Related: $4.9 million for a Thornbury mansion with a koi pond and a wall dedicated to Dr. Seuss

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The tour

Here’s an aerial view of the three-storey, five-bedroom main cottage, surrounded by nature, rising over Georgian Bay. Welcome to Bernyk Island. 

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

This is the island’s back bay, where a private dock stretches into the water and holds a state-of-the-art boathouse and open-air kitchen.

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

The dock comes with multiple covered lounges.

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

This is the kitchen. Inspired by industrial design, it has stainless steel countertops, custom cabinets and a midnight-black backsplash. All of its luxury appliances are built in.

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

Here’s the view from the land.

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Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

On the edge of the property is the grotto-style sauna. Its exterior blends seamlessly into the forested terrain, but the interior is something else entirely. 

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

Inside, the sauna is equipped with striking curved walls. The rounded window faces west to take in sunsets.

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

The previous owners carved these granite paths between the property’s cottages for easier access.

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

Walking up the stairs reveals the main cottage, which has terrific west and north-facing views. 

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

A guest lounge with a pergola flanks the cottage entrance. 

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Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

Inside, cedar surrounds an enormous stone fireplace.

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

Those wall-to-wall sliding doors give way to the deck. 

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

Here’s the dining room, sandwiched between granite floors and dramatic fir beams.

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

Finally, the gym, which doubles as storage space for water-sports gear. 

Surreal Estate: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

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

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