Latest townhomes units at this oceanside retreat push the envelope in decor and design Urbanites often feel the need to escape the pressures of city-life away from the maddening crowds and the chronic traffic. While there is no shortage of natural areas in Ontario where you can decompress and enjoy a simpler life, the draw to heading out of province to get a true taste of the good life is definitely becoming more appealing. Founded by Canadian entrepreneur and co-founder of Tim Hortons, Ron Joyce, the Fox Harb’r Resort has been attracting visitors from across North America to enjoy its luxury accommodations, five-star golf course and lavish amenities since it first opened 24 years ago.
Currently in the midst of expanding both their golf course and the Stone Harb’r Village residential community with 18 new townhomes, this scenic oceanfront sanctuary along the Northumberland Shore of rural Nova Scotia may be the turn-key solution to quell those city woes. “Out of 77 properties in Stone Harb’r Village, there are four homeowners from Ontario,” says Fox Harb’r real estate sales manager, Eric Lum. “Lately, we have been getting a lot of interest outside of Nova Scotia.
” Slated to be completed in the spring of 2025, I was lucky enough to do a hard hat tour of these two-storey, 3,000-sq-ft. townhomes during a recent visit at the resort. Albeit still under construction, they already distinguish themselves from the rest although in a quiet way.
The exterior’s cedar shingles, stone gables, sandstone cladding and four discreet black mullion windows that flank each structure reveal a distinctive old-world feel. Step inside though and design worlds collide with the interiors revealing contemporary, generous, refined living spaces, flooded with light. A chef’s kitchen, spacious grand room with fireplace and dining area set against a large bay window and are the prelude to lush verdant and ocean views just beyond the compact entry.
Exquisite craftsmanship and precise sleek details elegantly contrast throughout the four-bedroom, four-and-a half-bath townhome. This juxtaposition of traditional meets modern, past meets present, adding depth and soul to interiors while elevating lifestyle adds up once you find out who the architect behind the design is. Winner of 160 awards (and counting), Order of Canada recipient, internationally acclaimed architect and an advocate of design that responds to local culture, Brian Mackay-Lyons says, “Some critics call us the poets of place.
” Part of the design story at Fox Harb’r is the use of local materials, for example, sandstone used in the construction of building facades and for pathways and patios, comes from Wallace Stone Quarry which is located right across the harbour. But cultural influences loom large in the equation too, “New Scotland or Nova Scotia, has a lot to do with the old country. One of the ethics we share with Scotland is this idea of frugal beauty,” says Mackay-Lyons.
“It’s a maritime thing; outward modesty appeals to people.” Much like an Armani suit, it is sophisticated within its simplicity. Shane Andrews, the townhomes’ Project Architect at Mackay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects in Halifax says a major design element is the fact that these properties are located on a world-class golf course.
“Golf is the social idea behind the overall design that extends to the interior living space,” he says. Further to that is, “the idea of community,” he says, courtyards add to the social aspect to the design and options such as outdoor kitchens and pergolas help create a social outdoor aspect. Just a 90-minute drive from Halifax airport, Fox Harb’r Lum says six of the townhomes will be available for fractional ownership, with one-quarter ownership each.
“Rotations can either be four weeks, one week on, three weeks off, or eight weeks, two weeks on, six weeks off,” he says. Fractionals start at $450,000 and whole ownership just over $1.4 million.
For more information on the resort, visit www.foxharbr.com.
