Friday, July 11, 2025

This Island Is For Sale - And It Comes With A Restored 110 Year Old Cabin

Nothing captures the imagination quite like a private island.

This Island Is For Sale - And It Comes With A Restored 110 Year Old Cabin

Nothing captures the imagination quite like a private island. The appeal is primal - your own piece of land, surrounded by water. In Georgian Bay, this isolation takes on a particular character.

The Bay's granite shores and wind-bent pines haven't changed much since the first cottagers arrived by steamship in the early 1900s. Those original families built structures meant to endure; fieldstone fireplaces, hand-hewn beams, deep porches facing west toward the sunset.

These century-old cottages, when they survive, represent something increasingly rare - not just waterfront property, but a direct connection to Canadian cabin culture's golden age.

Now, there's one for sale.

Porcupine Island sits in the heart of Georgian Bay, 1.4 acres of Canadian Shield with a lakehouse dating to 1914. The property underwent an artful restoration in 2012 that managed something difficult - preserving details that matter while quietly adding the modern luxuries that make island living comfortable year-round.

The project clearly required both deep pockets and patience. Modern infrastructure was masterfully threaded through 110-year-old bones without disturbing what makes the place special.

The restoration added practical elements like a 3-ton heat pump, heated floors, and a chef's kitchen.

But the original home's character remains untouched: the stacked stone fireplace, the dining room's wall of paned windows, the full-length screened porch that cottage purists consider non-negotiable.

The addition, built at right angles to the original structure, houses the modern amenities: the kitchen, a main floor office, laundry facilities.

The new doesn't compete with the old, and a metal roof covers everything, ready for Georgian Bay's weather extremes.

Outside, the property reveals why this particular corner of the Bay draws repeat visitors. Multi-tiered decks face west for sunset viewing. The hot tub placement takes advantage of both privacy and views.

Boardwalks wind through perennial gardens, connecting seating areas scattered across the island.

The boathouse sits protected behind a natural shoal breakwater - a geographical gift for any Georgian Bay property. Recent rebuilding included new cribs, docks, and roofing. For an island property, protected docking might be the most valuable amenity of all.

Georgian Bay presents specific challenges. Water levels fluctuate. Winter ice can be destructive. Storm waves from open water reach impressive heights. This property's position offers long views while remaining sheltered from the worst of the big water - a rare combination.

Georgian Bay's proximity to Toronto (about 2 hours north) puts it within weekend reach of millions seeking authentic cottage experiences.

Private island sales in Ontario follow standard real estate processes, with one key difference: access. Buyers need to factor in boat transportation for everything from groceries to building materials. Winter access depends on ice conditions, increasingly unpredictable in recent years.

The price remains unlisted - which is standard practice for unique Georgian Bay properties where comparables rarely exist. You can be certain the price falls comfortably into the 7 figures.

The freehold title means full ownership, avoiding lease complications common with some Canadian island properties.


Porcupine Island exists in that sweet spot of island real estate: beautifully developed to be immediately usable, remote enough to feel like an escape, close enough to be practical.

Whether it becomes a summer base, three-season retreat, or rental investment will depend on who appreciates the unique alchemy of old bones and new upgrades on a patch of rock in one of Canada's most storied bodies of water.

View the listing or inquire about the property at PrivateIslandsOnline.com

Duration: 3:21 | All images credit PrivateIslandsOnline.com

Martin P.

Martin P.

I've been spending weekends at the family cabin in Northern Saskatchewan since I was a kid. While up at the lake I enjoy fishing, picking Saskatoon berries, and ending off every night with a campfire.

Saskatchewan, Canada

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