Credit: Century 21 Estrie
Credit: Century 21 Estrie
Credit: Century 21 Estrie
Credit: Century 21 Estrie
Credit: Century 21 Estrie
Credit: Century 21 Estrie
Credit: Century 21 Estrie
Credit: Century 21 Estrie
Credit: Century 21 Estrie
Credit: Century 21 Estrie
Credit: Century 21 Estrie
More than 15 years ago, a passionate developer with 40 acres of wild lakefront property east of Montreal had an idea for a residential compound that would reconcile nature with architectural cred. It resulted in Mont Cathédrale Sanctuary, a family of high-end mountain and lake homes by Grand Lac Brompton, in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. And this month, the inaugural home build has come back to market.
The 278 sq m ‘tree house’ is an opportunity to live amid unspoiled countryside with a high level of luxury and a small ecological footprint. Designed by the local veteran architect Pierre Cabana with sustainable materials and technologies, it aspires to be both at one with the trees and set apart. Cabana clad the main foundational floor in wood that represents the ‘trunk’. The cantilevered floor above — a full 54 metres above the surface of the lake — was faced with copper tiles that would resemble foliage when weathered to a verdigris patina.
The two volumes appear fortress-like from the north, but a glass curtain wall on the upper southeast facade opens onto a 70 sq m terrace with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The glazing draws in sunlight throughout winter to reduce heating costs; automated awnings help keep the interior cool in summer. Inside, the architect used Spanish cedar, Ipe wood, marble, quartz and steel in small quantities and in dialogue with the environment. The main living areas lie beneath exposed beams of western fir. The energy-efficient workings include radiant floors, a Finnish soapstone fireplace and a dual-energy propane-electric system.
Equipped with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, the Quebec property sits on a six-acre lot with private access to the lake. It’s currently on the market with Century 21 agent Mélissa
Côté for CDN $2.58m.
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