By Jonathon Oake
Five luxury cottage builds that checked all the clients’ boxes
With the world in such flux, cottage country provides a most welcome retreat for tens of thousands of Ontarians. But some new projects—customized to the clients’ every wish and packed with dazzling views—go far beyond mere cabins in the woods.
So is the market for luxury lakeside estates more resilient than for more modest cottages? “This market remains robust and unwavering, with a steady stream of clientele investing in cottages, boathouses, bunkies and more,” says Andrew Hall, Project Manager, Luxury Homes & Cottages, at Bachly Construction. “These homeowners belong to a distinct niche where demand for new builds remains consistently strong—driven by a fast-moving market and a desire for refined, high-end finishes. Full-scale rebuilds and luxury renovations are increasingly becoming the standard.”
Andrew Burtch, engineering and operations director at Haliburton’s G.J. Burtch Construction, says he has observed “a considerable increase in the renovation market, including upscale projects. Our ability to undertake both renos and smaller projects is proving to be a definite advantage in the current economic climate.”
But there are still awe-inspiring new builds to be had. Consider Burtch’s brand-new 5,000 SF project in the Haliburton Highlands as well as these four other recent OHBA member-built waterside wonders.
The Island
Lake Joseph, Port Carling (7,231 SF)
Builder: Bachly Construction
Completion Date: Summer 2022
The mesmerizing vistas from this Port Carling property come with the territory, but what Bachly did on the inside rivals those views. Consider the two-storey circular library with its ultra-high-gloss paint finish, or the wine-tasting room and cellar, replete with a flat-topped and polished granite boulder for display, or the pebbled and leather flooring to protect dropped wine bottles. And then there’s the spa, with its sauna, cold plunge, shower and massage room, with handpicked, quarry-sourced Fantastico Danby marble flooring.
Beyond the sprawling cottage itself—7,231 SF including basement—there’s an additional 990 SF above the 3,000 SF boathouse. (Although current regulations allow for a maximum of 650 SF for an upper boathouse, Bachly was permitted the extra room based on the previous structure that was torn down.) While a second boathouse is in the design phase, the main boathouse has a capacity for eight vessels. Above, there’s a rooftop patio, arcade room and bar. Below, a helicopter pad and expansive custom deck adorn the water.
Construction on an island always adds logistical challenges due to limited access, and this project was no different. The hovercraft used for transporting materials had size and weight limits, requiring multiple trips and careful planning to move heavy or bulky items. Transporting tradespeople and workers daily was also complex, often needing boats or other watercraft to shuttle teams back and forth. Winter construction added further difficulty, affecting transportation schedules, deliveries and storage, while requiring additional safety measures.
The Colantonio Residence
(Location withheld) (10,764 SF)
Builder: True North Log & Timber Homes
Completion Date: 2023
This extraordinary log home, spanning nearly 11,000 SF of living space, draws inspiration from the bold, rustic architecture of Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. Its grand scale and distinctive silhouette offer undeniable curb appeal, with an exterior that artfully blends cedar shake, log and rustic channel siding beneath varied rooflines.
Inside, the soaring great room immediately impresses with expansive views and a dramatic 16-foot stone fireplace. Overhead, handcrafted pine timber trusses, 10”x 16” ridge beams and 8”x 12” rafters elevate the space, continuing seamlessly into the primary suite for a unified architectural aesthetic.
The primary ensuite is a luxurious retreat, featuring spa-like finishes, rich tilework, gold accents and generous
windows that bathe the space in
natural light.
Downstairs, the lower level is designed for both relaxation and entertaining, complete with a curated wine collection, a private theatre, games room and a well-appointed bar and kitchenette.
Stone’s Throw
Haliburton Highlands (5,000 SF)
Builder: G.J. Burtch Construction
Completion Date: May 2025
This 5,000 SF home was built for a masonry products supplier. As such, even more attention than usual was paid to the selection of stone, architectural details and installation. The intricate work is exemplified by a trio of hand-built fireplaces and a striking stone feature wall that spans the entire three-storey stairwell.
The dark tree bark of the surrounding oaks inspired the colour of the bricks, which were produced in kilns that date to the 1800s. Employing a Frank Lloyd Wright style, the 2 ¼”x16” bricks provide a plank siding effect.
An abundance of floor-to-ceiling windows offers dazzling panoramic views of two lakes and a distant ski hill. The lower level is a destination for wellness and recreation, including a lake-facing workout room, family music studio, wine cellar and walk-out lounge.
Accessibility was a central focus, with extra-wide hallways on all levels, a barrier-free ensuite bathroom featuring a walk-in steam shower, motion-activated lighting throughout, and a centrally located custom elevator that provides access to all levels.
Integrating a building of this scale into a 22m natural elevation change from the road to the lake required relocating excavated foundation material toward the lake. That enabled Burtch to effectively terrace and reshape the landscape, complementing the architectural design. That included creating a sub-basement level with a garage door to store recreational vehicles and cottage equipment.
A key innovative feature is the state-of-the-art double boiler system, which provides heating and domestic hot water. Monitored by personal computer and phone, it is fuelled by hardwood pellets, combining efficiency with environmental consciousness. Superheated glycol is then pumped through underground insulated pipes to the main mechanical room, where it’s used for the radiant floor and forced air systems. Along with being insulated far above code, the structural framing is wrapped with vapour-permeable sheathing and 1” of rockwool to reduce thermal bridging.
The Mountain Top
Lake Muskoka, Port Carling (3,134 SF)
Builder: Confederation (1867)
Log & Timber Frame
Completion Date: 2023
Listed in June 2025 for $5,755,000, this residence towers over Lake Muskoka on a 2.3-acre lot with 205 feet of pristine eastern-facing frontage.
A steep incline to the driveway and limited space made material deliveries a challenge during construction, as did the winter (and Covid) timing of this build—one in which the homeowner served as the general contractor. But the finished product was well worth the effort.
The angled garage, dormer windows and vaulted ceilings create striking rooflines, while timber accents tie everything together in this marriage of log and timber-frame styles. But it’s the colour palette that makes this home unique. Speckled stone-hued shingles complement the dark exterior stain, while whitewashed timbers brighten the interior.
It features a huge front deck, lakeside hot tub, screened Muskoka room, ample outdoor entertaining space with a fire pit, and a full-home generator.
Additional upper-level space provides room for games, media or extra sleeping quarters.
Waterfront Dream
Chemong Lake, Selwyn (2,900 SF)
Builder/Supplier: R&M Smith Contracting /
Discovery Dream Homes
Completion Date: June 2022
The clients, one a retired doctor and the other still working at Toronto Sunnybrook Hospital, wanted a cottage to enjoy evening campfires and waterfront fun with their family. They sold their ski chalet in Collingwood, found a property on a former trailer park in the Kawartha Lakes, and selected Discovery Dream Homes as their company of choice. Discovery design consultants worked with the clients to develop a site-specific timber frame design, while sourcing one of their preferred builders, R&M Smith Contracting.
While excavating, Smith found lake water at a depth of just over four feet, requiring them to build at a depth above this with an engineered reinforced pad foundation.
The clients desired a modern millwork finish and drywall return windows with no trim, although they agreed with Smith to include a minimalistic baseboard and door trim.
Despite challenges of delays during Covid, Smith polished off the project within the 12-13 month timeframe the clients had requested.
The four-bedroom modern design is highlighted by the striking façade of west-facing, floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall glass.
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