Surreal Estate: $9.9 million for a Cape Cod manor in Oakville with an old-timey vault and a waterfall transported from Muskoka

Neighbourhood: Old Oakville Price: $9,998,000 Size: 10,000 square feet Bedrooms: 4+2 Bathrooms: 9 Real estate agent: Sam Marji, Century 21 Canada

The Place

A four-plus-two-bedroom, nine-bathroom heritage mansion on Oakville’s waterfront. The home comes with old-world design, an in-ground saltwater pool and wings with enough rooms to sleep a big party. Rare for the suburbs, this location has a 94 per cent walkability score thanks to its lakeside path and close proximity to downtown Oakville. And motorists are a short drive from both Lakeshore Road and the 403.

Related: $2.2 million to live in a Gothic church in Dovercourt Village with a load-bearing angel

The History

Former owner Plum Johnson, an award-winning author, wrote an entire book about the house in 2014. The TV series Suits also used the exterior as a backdrop, meaning it’s more than possible that Duchess Meghan Markle graced it with her presence. An official historical property, the home is impeccably preserved, including the original living room fireplace built from Lake Ontario rocks. The current owners are looking to downsize after becoming empty nesters.

The Tour

Here’s a look at the entire estate, right on the boardwalk.

The home’s façade hasn’t changed much over the past century—aside from the new wood siding, which comes with a 50-year warranty. The stone elements, meanwhile, were sourced from three different quarries.

In the foyer: an eight-by-four-foot solid-oak front door that weighs more than 200 pounds.

Just off the foyer is an elevator with a classic glass door.

Here’s what the owners call the Lake Room, with great views of the water through that wall of windows. It also has coffered ceilings, quarter-sawn oak hardwood floors and a reclaimed sandstone fireplace.

Just beyond sits the dining area overlooking the cedar deck.

Now for the Great Room. It’s equipped with vaulted ceilings that extend to the second storey, a gigantic fireplace and elegant mouldings.

The kitchen looks out onto the backyard deck and was recently renovated to include quartz counters, custom shelving, a Sub-Zero fridge and freezer, a Wolf electric double wall oven, and two Miele dishwashers.

Moving upstairs reveals the main bedroom, with enormous lake-facing French doors. That sleek gas fireplace is a nice contemporary touch.

Attached is a five-piece ensuite bathroom.

It even has an entire nook for makeup.

There’s also a dressing room lined with bespoke cabinets in the main suite.

And here’s the main walk-in closet, large enough for even Carrie Bradshaw’s collection.

This is the most scenic of the five additional bedrooms—surrounded by portraits of nature.

Another bedroom comes with an oak staircase leading to a loft that could be a luxe kids’ room or study.

Here’s a peek inside one of the property’s two laundry rooms. Note the full-height linen storage and polished limestone counters.

The 75-foot attic has HVAC and fuzzy carpeting.

Now for the bottom level, which is nevertheless above grade. It’s essentially a large one-bedroom apartment.

Ideally, the lower level can function as a nanny or granny suite.

There’s also a wine cellar and an old-timey vault (formerly a panic room) down here.

Here’s the fishbowl fitness centre.

And here’s a look at the backyard. The space, lined with artificial turf, comes with a putting green, a pool, a firepit and several lounges.

The saltwater pool looks over the lake and features an actual Muskoka waterfall that was disassembled, transported to the mansion and reassembled at the head of the pool.

This is the pump-house-pizza-oven hybrid. It holds all of the pool and garden equipment as well as high-tech controls for heating and lighting.

Finally, here’s an idyllic look at the water from the back deck.

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