LIMESTONE FARMHOUSE



COUNTRY ESTATE
*click on an image to enlarge
Entrance and Frontage
     
House Views
     
Fields and Treelines
Kitchen and Breakfast Area
     
Lounge and Library
     
Upper Floor
Architechtural Highlights
     
Garden Room and Dining Room
     
Gardens and Greenhouse


This exceptional cut limestone country residence, built by Scottish stonemason John Valens in 1885 and sitting on 106 rolling acres of arable farmland and woodland, has been lovingly restored to its original condition. Located in the sought after Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario at the base of the Niagara Peninsula, it allows for easy access to the three university towns of Guelph (30 minutes), Kitchener-Waterloo (30 minutes) and Hamilton (30 minutes). Toronto Pearson International Airport is 40 minutes away and Highway 401 access is within 8 minutes.

The farmhouse is the jewel of the property. The 3000+ sq.ft. building has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The main rooms include a large separate dining room, a lounge, a library, a delightful kitchen-breakfast room and a panoramic viewing garden room. The elaborate interior doors, trim, and red pine flooring of the original house remain in place. A period addition has been carefully completed using restored 19th century maple flooring. The pine trim of the addition is directly patterned on that of the original house.

There are four gothic windows each with exquisite arch stonework while the remaining windows are camber arched. The roof is cedar shingle while the evestroughs are of copper. All of the rooms have 9.25 feet ceilings and the thick stone walls provide for 20 inch window sills. The complete exterior of the house has been re-pointed by stonemasons.

The period addition houses a cathedral ceiling garden room with a floor to ceiling stone fireplace. The maple-floored kitchen with its exposed fieldstone wall has a designer Aga stove, custom fitted maple cabinetry and an antique pine centre island. The kitchen bay window overlooks the garden. The large adjacent dining room has a slate floor and paneled wainscoting. The library has custom fitted shelving with period trim and crown molding. Glass paneled doors in the ante-room open on to a natural stone patio area. The large basement level provides excellent opportunities for workshop and storage facilities.

Modern foam insulation has been applied to the house and a team of Italian artisans replastered the interior walls. The central electricity supply is 400 amps. All wiring and plumbing was renewed in 1990. Heating and air conditioning is achieved by means of a ground source geothermal unit installed in 2004. The foundation of the house is built directly on bedrock, which has ensured that all stonework has remained in perfect condition.

The house overlooks several garden areas bordered by rare figured limestone rocks. The display beds viewed from the garden room provide an oasis for butterflies and hummingbirds. A collection of fragrant antique roses is intermingled with culinary herbs and flowering perennials. Tiered beds include ornamental grasses, rows of cutting flowers, and a variety of fruit bushes. A towering centrally placed maple tree with its "Celtic" circle of sentinel marker stones provides a cool sanctuary for contemplative moments. Beyond the gardens, the farm fields provide a lush and tranquil setting. Numerous maple and lilac trees border the property.

The farm has achieved Organic certification status with two national organizations. Approximately 75 acres are presently seeded with organic alfalfa, which is supplied to a local equestrian centre. A 14,000 square foot gutter connected, heated and automated greenhouse is located on the property (built 1997). There are several tiered and irrigated production gardens, which have been utilized for the production of gourmet supplies to the organic restaurant industry. The greenhouse has been a centre for heirloom tomato research and production. There is an abundant pure water supply. The climate zone is zone 6.

The property is adjacent to and overlooks an 800 acre nature park maintained by the local municipality. This park contains an 80 acre lake that can be viewed from the gardens and from several windows of the house. It is stocked with bass and pike. There are cross country ski trails and a sublime boardwalk, which threads its way through a wetlands sanctuary for waterfowl and songbirds.

Presently functioning as a country residence, future plans for the property could include continuing its role as an evocative family retreat. There is also a niche opportunity to further its development as an organic farm supplying the rapidly growing organic food industry in Ontario. For principals interested in developing an equestrian centre, this property is perfect.

The pristine organic land, the fully restored heritage building, the gardens, the adjacent lake, the nature park, the excellent water supply and the central location, make this a property without equal. This is a rare and unique package.





Property details

Acerage :- 105.925 acres
Frontage :- 2,700ft.
Property tax (2005) :- $3,000
Heating - Air conditioning (2005) :- $2,500


Main floor Second floor
 
Dining Room 18' x 17' Master Bedroom 15' x 14'6"
Lounge 17' x 14' Bedroom 15' x 9'
Library 17' x 10' Bedroom 12' x 9'
Kitchen 21' x 16' Bedroom 12' x 9'
Garden Room 25' x 15' Bathroom 8'6" x 9'
Bathroom 8' x 5' Bathroom 8' x 5'
Ante Room 12' x 9'6" Landing Hallway 14' x 10'
Front Foyer 9'6" x 6'
Side Foyer 13' x 8'
Covered porch 18' x 6'

Lower level  (finished concrete-floored basement)
 
Workshop 25' x 11'
Utility Room-laundry 25' x 11'
 
Fieldstone patio 20' x 18' (approx.)



Sale includes: -

Geothermal ground source heating & air conditioning system (2004)
Thermostatically controlled fireplace insert (2006)
Water softener (2004)
Water heater -with energy efficient preheating by geothermal system (2004)
Interior light fixtures
Custom fitted Roman blinds on selected windows
Designer Aga cook stove ( 4 oven unit )
Refrigerator
Freezer
Washer/dryer
 
Two drilled wells dedicated to the ground-source geothermal system
One drilled well dedicated to landscape, greenhouse and tiered production garden irrigation (45gpm)
Gutter connected 14,500 sq.ft. automated greenhouse
Extensive garden landscaping.
Culinary herb and perennial collection.
Irrigation system
Septic system
Under-ground 400 amp electricity service.
2000 US gallon propane storage tank.