A Shore Thing
Currently on the market for $15 million, this sprawling and luxurious Burlington estate is a love letter to Lake Ontario.
By Eve Thomas | Photography by Negin Milani
When the trio of co-founders of The CB Group at The Agency took on a new property in Burlington, they knew they had to bring in the big guns to show it off: a team of Canada’s top real estate photographers and a dedicated videographer who regularly shoots some of the most expensive homes in the world.
With a $15 million price tag and a coveted waterfront location, the Secord Lane property on the shores of Lake Ontario has to be seen to be believed, and CB Group’s Christina Clavero says it’s best admired in action. Especially if it’s going to get on the radar of would-be buyers, both in the GTA and around the world.
“We know it’s somebody’s dream home, maybe a couple with kids who’ll appreciate not just the house but the whole lifestyle,” says Clavero, who’s representing the property alongside co-founders Carlos Clavero and David Bakowsky. And so, the resulting listing brings to mind a luxury hotel or destination spa, with thoughtful imagery showing off exquisite features like the striking waterfront tennis court and immense infinity pool. “It’s a bit like its own mini-resort,” Christina says.
The Secord Lane property was originally built by Rock Cliff Custom Homes between 2019 and 2021 and was designed by award-winning architect David Small, known for houses that work in harmony with nature. The basics: 11,417 square feet of living space, five bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and five half-baths. In addition to custom chandeliers, radiant heated floors, a heated driveway, and appliances from Wolf and Sub-Zero, there’s a sauna, gym, full golf simulator, four-car garage, and a home theatre with tiered seating. Plus, a state-of-the-art Crestron system to oversee it all, from lighting to music to security.
“It’s rare to find a newer waterfront build; a lot of those properties can feel dated,” says Carlos Clavero. “But this is a real turn-key property with nothing left to do but move in and enjoy.”
"It's rare to find a newer waterfront build; a lot of those properties can feel dated. but this is a real turn-key property with nothing left to do but move in and enjoy."
Bakowsky adds, “At these price points, the future owner is looking for everything and expecting everything. No stone has been left unturned.”
Of course, much of the appeal lies not just in the building itself, but in its prized setting and the thoughtful details that showcase these surroundings, including floor-to-ceiling windows and glass terrace railings. Zoom in a little and you’ll find a rare waterfront location with 103 feet of shoreline with riparian rights, guaranteeing the homeowner water access. As The CB Group points out, this isn’t always the case with waterfront properties, and regulations can vary based on the specific lot.
Pull back a little to see the property tucked away on a private lane, assuring extra tranquility for owners. Head farther out and you’ll learn that Burlington itself was recently ranked as Ontario’s most livable city by the Globe & Mail, using criteria that include education, healthcare and transportation, and it is generally known for great schools, parks, and a thriving downtown. Among the green spaces (including a leafy park and historic mansion next door to the property) are myriad golf clubs, including the historic Burlington Golf & Country Club—founded in 1922 and ranked one of the best in Canada—a short drive away.
Look a bit farther, and note that the area is ideally located for accessing downtown Toronto as well as wine country (it’s about 40 minutes to Niagara-on-the-Lake), not to mention Hamilton and Pearson airports, which offer international flights and private plane access.
Burlington’s highway access may make it a gateway to cottage country, but as The CB Group points out, the property also presents a tempting alternative to heading out of town at all. It’s not hard to imagine a typical cottager’s day there: a morning swim in the infinity pool, stand-up paddleboarding or a boat ride right off the shore, maybe a tennis match. Then a family barbecue in the outdoor kitchen, with the evening extending on the covered and heated patios, before wrapping up with a romcom in the movie theatre with some snacks from the gourmet kitchen and a bottle of red from the glass-walled wine cellar. It’s enough to make you want to stay in the city all summer long.