Dream big. With the real estate market ramping up, a selection of once-in-a-lifetime property buys is now attracting attention across Western Canada. Western Investor’s annual Trophy Properties report winnowed down a wide selection to present these seven exclusive properties for investors in 2016.
Rare Whistler waterfront lot
This rare Alta Lake waterfront lot is listed at $4.25 million by John Ryan of Whistler Real Estate Co. This last vacant lot located on the desirable, sunny west-facing side of Alta Lake is within easy walking distance of Whistler Village. With 65 feet of frontage, a private dock and exceptional sun exposure, a buyer can enjoy sunlit days kayaking and evenings by the shore on this 9,040-foot lot. House plans by noted architect Brad Lamoureux are included.
60 acres on Sylvan Lake, Alberta
This extraordinary 60-acre Sylvan Lake waterfront property is listed at $9 million by Carl Stepp of Re/Max Sylvan Lake. The listing includes a half-mile of southern exposed undeveloped lakeshore, with a mature woodlot, a classic waterfront cottage and a second cabin overlooking the lake. It has been owned by the same family since the 1940s and could be a private retreat, or developed into a waterfront community at Alberta’s most popular lake.
Richmond marina with development potential for homes, commercial space
Listed at $25 million by Sebastian Espinosa of Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services of Vancouver, Skyline Marina on the Richmond, B.C., riverfront offers a going concern with serious upside real estate development potential. The marina covers 1.89 acres of land and 7.85 acres of water lots, with 245 berths. The zoningincludes both residential and commercial development, including a ‘high street’ shopping configuration. Maximum density allows a 4.0 floor area ratio on the northern portion, including residential use. Hint: Richmond’s composite residential price is $872,400, according to real estate board data.
Sun Rivers Resort, Kamloops
This 460-acre parcel, that includes an 18-hole golf course, is listed at a total price of $7.4 million by Mark Lester and Alan Johnson of Colliers Unique Properties, Vancouver. Buyers can purchase the 128.9-acre Sun Rivers Golf Course with restaurant for $3.49 million and/or the 7.45-acre Village Centre development lands for $3.95 million. The entire parcel is held under a Federal Government pre-paid land lease that expires in about a century, in 2115. About 800 homes have been built on the lands and it has the potential for more than 4,000 homes. The site is about five minutes from downtown Kamloops.
Harrison mansion
Listed at $3 million by Greg Newberry of Homelife Glenayre Realty, this Harrison Hot Spring estate could be an option to buying a bungalow on Vancouver’s west side for around the same price. This custom built luxury home rests on 20 acres of private Harrison Hot Springs land, complete with in-ground pool/hot tub, art studio and personal hiking trails. Highlights include a gourmet kitchen, theatre room, music room, the formal dining room with butler’s kitchen and nine marble fireplaces. From the granite, marble and African teak flooring to the 30-foot ceilings and crystal chandeliers, this home defines opulence. It also includes a genero pool house.
Eagle Island, Sunshine Coast
Listed at $2.59 million by Jamie Zroback of LandQuest Realty of New Westminster, Eagle Island is located just off the coast south of Powell River on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast. The 32-acre private island includes a main house on the waterfront, with a guest cabin tucked nearby. There is a 650-foot long dock that can handle vessels up to 100 feet, and there is also an airstrip. The island is close to a BC Ferries terminal that links Powell River to the southern Sunshine Coast.
Private island in the Gulf
South Secretary Island in B.C.’s southern Gulf Island is listed at $4.95 million by Mark Lester and Alan Johnson of Colliers Unique Properties, Vancouver. The current ownership group – which have owned it for more than 40 years – has preserved the 66-acre, sandy-beached island in its natural state. An architecturally designed central “lodge” provides space for entertainment and accommodation. The entire island is off the grid, with power provided by a generator. A good well supplies water. The island offers numerous excellent building sites as well as several locations suitable for the construction of a dock for ready access to this paradise.
