It was an inn, a chalet, a main residence, and even a hall for festivities. Bordered by Lake Louisa and perched atop a mountain in Wentworth-Nord, in a lesser known area of the Laurentians, this very large property is in search of its next destiny.
When Danielle Touchette and Mario Goulet got the keys to this 5,000 ft2 (464 m2) Laurentian residence, it had been running for several years as an inn, formerly known as Domaine de l’Étang. Ideal features – namely two large common rooms and numerous independent bedrooms and rooms – to meet the needs of the couple’s project: “We were looking for a place to establish a center for the elderly. When we came across this property, we found it interesting and we acquired it,” says the duo, originally from the northern crown of Montreal.
Unfortunately, during the conversion process, complications and administrative hassles knocked on the door, forcing Danielle Touchette and Mario Goulet to change their plans. They then made a chalet out of it, on the fringes of their country-style main residence (farmhouse) in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, and planned to rent the premises during the week for events such as congresses or meetings.
But two years later, after fitting out the premises to their liking and ordering the necessary furniture, they finally decided to live there permanently and resell their property in Sainte-Anne. “Once it was all over, we never rented once. We thought it was too beautiful! “, slips the couple, who have fixed their penates there until this day.
One of the most impressive rooms is undoubtedly the gigantic family room, renovated from top to bottom, with its soaring cathedral ceiling and its remarkable wood-burning fireplace. It’s hard to imagine that when the house was bought, it housed… an indoor swimming pool. “There was a 16′ x 32′ swimming pool, which we converted into a living room while fitting out, on the floor below, a garage that can accommodate four vehicles,” explains Mario Goulet, adding that the adjacent sauna has meanwhile been preserved.
Another common space, surrounded by a high wooden gallery and also equipped with an imposing fireplace, is very user-friendly. The kitchen has also benefited from a complete makeover, now housing a central island and a wood-burning oven.
On the bedroom side, there are seven (one of them currently serves as an office), scattered over the three floors of the building, all giving access to one of the five bathrooms, as well as to the galleries outside, with which the house is generously provided. The list of renovations continues to grow, with the garden level having undergone a major renovation to be 100% habitable, the roof redone in 2022, or the discreet installation of heat pumps to increase the energy efficiency of the residence.
With such a configuration, several prospects are emerging for his next vocation; one could think of a multi-generational home, a return to basics as a hostel or chalet to rent for large events; so many projects allowed by residential and commercial zoning.
We cannot talk about a property without specifying the environment in which it is located. In this regard, some great assets are emerging. Located at the top of a small mountain, with elaborate landscaping, surrounded by wild nature and enjoying precious peace, it is located on a plot of 250,000 ft2 (23,088 m2) and provides access navigable Lake Louisa, hiking trails (marked when the house was an inn), cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. “It’s very quiet, we don’t really have any neighbors, we don’t see any cars passing in the street,” the couple said.
Wentworth-Nord, about twenty minutes from Lachute and a mere 40 minutes from Morin-Heights, is a more confidential sector of the Laurentians and less crowded than other areas. Mario Goulet and Danielle Touchette, who between them have a lot on their shoulders for the maintenance of this vast residence, are now targeting Mirabel or Saint-Colomban, for a family reunion, prospecting a large plot and a more modest living space. . “We have the idea of traveling more and putting a small budget on a motorhome,” they consider.
Asking price: $1,475,000
Municipal assessment: $1,173,900
Year built: 1994
Rooms: 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Land area: 250,000 ft2 (23,088 m2)
Property tax: $6514
School tax: $528
Sales Platform: DuProprio
