Tim Collins/Contributor
Walt Disney famously advised his staff that to capture the imagination of visitors to his attractions, it was necessary to create a “WOW!” experience with every visit.
To a certain extent, the same principle may apply to the business of real estate.
But let’s face it, society has become increasingly jaded and real estate features that once evoked cries of amazement have ceased to sustain the WOW-factor.
A new listing on Pender Island, however, may well rise to that WOW level.
“We listed this property a week ago and, really, we’re marketing it on a global scale. This is a legacy property – something that a family might purchase for generations to come,” said Nichole Eastman with Sotheby’s International Realty.
“The 105-acre property encompasses most of Davidson Bay on Pender Island and with the ocean, the forest and the farming, this is a very special, very unique property.”
The property is, in fact, amazing.
First surveyed as Clam Bay Farm back in 1874, the property has seen a host of iterations that have all left their mark on the property as it stands today.
An early owner of the farm cleared the land by hand and constructed the first pond. A much-improved pond, complete with fountains, continues to be a feature today.
After that, subsequent owners developed an organic, bio-dynamic farm that used natural methods of pest control and, later, a new owner operated the property as an agro-tourism destination. That owner also created a 5.5-acre vineyard on the property that continues to operate today.
“Sea Star Vineyards has an agricultural lease on the vineyard and pay the property owner for the operation, maintains the vineyard and harvest the grapes to create an amazing wine,” said Eastman.
The property also boasts an orchard where plums, apples and haskap berries thrive and another 15 acres are dedicated to the organic farm. Two staff are currently employed to maintain these concerns.
“It’s such a large piece of property that it would be difficult to maintain without staff,” Eastman said.
Did we mention the sawmill?
Yes, there is a sawmill on the property, which only seems appropriate given the large tracts of virgin forest surrounding the estate.
“I believe that the sawmill may have contributed the lumber for the construction of some of the original buildings on the property,” said Eastman.
Anything else of note?
“Well, there’s a 260-foot commercial grade dock that you can drive your car right onto, and which can accommodate a 50-foot boat and/or a seaplane if that’s what you have,” said Eastman.
And, of course, there’s the house.
The 7,000-square-foot home was designed and constructed by Blue Sky Architecture to connect with the landscape using curved lines and non-linear forms that integrate seamlessly with the landscape. It boasts five bedrooms and six and a half baths.
“The house on the property was just completed last year and has never been lived in. It’s brand new and is truly spectacular,” Eastman said.
Intrigued?
Well, the property is still available and can be snapped up at $19.8 million.
Admittedly this may be beyond the range of most budgets, but, for someone out there, the WOW factor will become a reality.
READ MORE: Detached home prices down in Toronto, Vancouver and Fraser Valley: report
