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$1,345,000

TOTAL LIVING SPACE

LOT SIZE

5,864 sqft

23 acres

5

BED

2 + 1

BATH

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This century stone home, with the 23 acres that accompany it, are on the market for the first time in over 40 years. Long admired by all who travel along picturesque West River Road, the home was built in 1848 by the McPhail family, who owned the original farm for almost 100 years. Known from the beginning as 'Mountainview', the home is situated on the Grand River embankment, with views east to lovely sunrises, and with private trails through Carolinian forest, to delight all year long. This year, a pair of eagles have nested down below, and can be seen flying along the river. Deer can often be seen among the trees. Nature at its best.

 

There is just over 4000 square feet of gracious living on the main two levels of the home. With 10 1/2 foot high ceilings, the formal rooms are sure to impress. Note the trim details on the windows. Every window has a view! The rooms are all spacious, even the bedrooms. There are three wood-burning fireplaces : in the living room, the family room and the master bedroom.  Carefully designed and built at a time when catching breezes and the sun light was crucial, air conditioning was installed only recently. All day long, the home captures the sunlight beautifully through the original double-hung windows.  The kitchen is truly the heart of the home here due to its central location in the middle of the home. Functional and practical, the charm of this kitchen is in the fact that the cabinets were made from wood taken from original barn. In the original servants' quarters, there is now a small family room with a super efficient wood fireplace with its beautiful brick surround and mantel. The new sunroom is reached from here. Added in 1987, the sunroom overlooks both the riverbank and the swimming pool area. This is the current homeowner's favourite spot - for casual dining, for working at the window, for watching television or for the hot tub. Views in all directions. Completing this area, you find the powder room / laundry room (combined) in behind the fireplace, as well as the secondary staircase (to the master bedroom).

 

Upstairs there are 5 big bedrooms, all with larger than expected closets. The master bedroom is particularly large. Bright and sunny in the morning, you can also imagine getting cozy with a crackling fire in the winter evenings up here. The master ensuite is small but cute and perfectly functional. The 4 piece family bathroom is a good size. The cedar chest in the upper landing will remain with the home. There is both a formal staircase with wood bannister and railings as well as the less formal back stairway that was used by the servants in yesteryear.

 

There is 1800 square feet in the basement. A large recreation room was used by the family as a games room - the pool table will remain with the home. The stone foundation has been carefully sealed here, and carpet was laid. There is a great deal of storage, as well as a large utility area.

 

This landmark home is distinguished by the limestone used (quarried in Guelph), and the skillful masonry. It is evident that the stonemasons employed to build the McPhail home knew their craft. Recognized in the book 'Stone Houses of Ontario' for the expertise shown, please note the careful assembly of similar-sized and coloured stone used on the front facade. Careful attention to detail is displayed in the window and door stone trim, and on the chimneys. As the mason worked towards the rear of the house, the stonework changed. Through the years, the current homeowners have lovingly cared for the exterior, including recent repointing on the chimneys. The walls are almost 24" thick. The original double-hung windows add essential character. Storm windows do get installed every winter.

 

The swimming pool (chlorine) was installed in 1985 and was professionally landscaped with perennial gardens and limestone boulders. The pool has spa steps and a small diving board. The pool shed houses the equipment and a change room. In 2006, the liner was replaced. In 2010, the pool heater (propane) was replaced. And in 2015, the pump was replaced. Cambridge Pools has maintained the pool for the past decade. There is a winter safety cover. All accessories will remain.

 

The current barn was rebuilt in 1975, using the wood and the beams from the original barn. Just last year, a French Drain was added at the garage door to ensure better weather protection on the interior. There is a tremendous amount of storage space on the second level. There is a garage door opener, and two cars can park inside. The family had a horse for many years, and the horse stall is still there if a new owner wishes to have a horse or other livestock. The adjacent paddock (field) is fenced.

 

For horse enthusiasts, Kemur Camp (home to over 100 horses, and a girls camp in the summer) is just a short walk away. A great neighbour to have. The 18 km Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail follows the east side of the Grand River and is easily accessible.

 

Downtown Cambridge (Galt) is about 6 kilometres away. The school bus goes right past the end of the lane. Commuters can easily make their way to Kitchener/Waterloo, Brantford and Cambridge, while the GTA is about an hour away. This area of south-western Ontario was settled by Scottish immigrants. Downtown Galt, located as it is along the Grand River, is very pretty with its bridges, churches, and former municipal buildings that give the town historical significance. Contemporary landmarks and attractions include the Farmers' Market held every Saturday near the City Hall, Reid's Chocolates, the new Malasada World for Portuguese Donuts, Cornerstone Home Furniture and the Dunfield Theatre (home of Drayton Entertainment). Waterloo University's School of Architecture is located in Downtown Galt as well.

 

There are floor plans, as well as a full list of the details of the home.

 

 

Garage: Detached barn is able to hold 2 cars (and a stall for a horse)

 

Square Footage: 4000 square feet plus another 1600 in the basement

 

Lot Size: 23 acres along the Grand River, with 866' frontage

 

Taxes: $3,800 for the year (with MNR grant)

 

MLS #: 30549030

 

Type: 2 storey century stone home

West River Road, Cambridge * SOLD *

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QUICK LINKS

ROBERTSON KADWELL:

Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

125 Lakeshore Rd. East Suite 200, Oakville, L6J 1H3

 

t 905.334.9422

f 905.844.1747

 

Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

www.sothebysrealty.ca

 

Sotheby’s International Realty

www.sothebysrealty.com

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