Grafton Century Farm

Hilltop Acreage (45.9 Acres) with Tree Top View

Minutes to HWY 401 Deep Set Back from Country Road

Century Barn Running Brook

A Jog to Regional Spas, Golf, Marina, Fine Dining, Antiques...

Grafton has always been my favourite in Northumberland with it's gentle shoreline, proximity to Spas in the area and fine dining at Grafton Village Inn and only a stone's throw away from unique shopping experiences of both contemporary objet d'art or antiques in Port Hope, Marina and the food at Woodlawn Inn and Diana's in Cobourg, Regional Spas, Golf Courses and Riding Facilities.

Provenance of the Farm House seems to have a literary bent with the current owner being the Fashion Report at the Globe and Mail taking ownership in an impulse. Quaint, with effective acreage amplified by the surrounding farmlands - makes it an ideal weekend escape from the city via Rail or Car.

Steeped in history, Northumberland was the playground of the Rich and Famous since the early 1800's. That would explain all the majestic estates in the surrounding countryside.

Grafton, Port Hope and Cobourg, the three jewels of Northumberland County, benefit from the growing trend of "city folk" moving out from the hustle and bustle in the "big smoke" to somewhere quieter and safer. With the Internet revolutionizing the way we do business and communicate, many have taken advantage of what telecommuting has to offer. When we placed the Director of Marketing for a major National Bookstore in Grafton 4 years back, he traded his home in North York for a 100 acre farm with a restored Century Home that once belonged to the Masseys for a "pittance".

Northumberland County is only part of this phenomenon of "managed growth", although Port Hope, being the closest, has positioned itself to be a gateway of sort. Port Hope, indeed, is unique with it's water frontage, Yacht, Golf and Country Clubs, developed cultural events and mildly eccentric denizens. Grafton is the "country" of the region - rich in Confederation History. A stone throw away is the Big Apple in Colborne that opens year round attracting millions. And Brighton turning into a well received retirement community - great success in the development of Brighton-by-the-Bay by a REIT. Then Prince Edward County, with picturesque Picton, is turning into the other Wine Producing region. After selling The Hillcrest in Port Hope to an area Spa almost a decade back now, I see a few more popping up that provide a variety of alternatives and choices. Another client from the U.K., now a good friend, has established another one in Brighton (www.ElementalEmbrace.com). This is quite special - as influenced by her background as a hotelier in Africa and her son as an impresario in the entertainment/music industry in the U.K. and New York. Then there is Trenton and Belleville, led by one of the most dynamic Economic Development Boards in the person of Chris King; and Kingston, which is experiencing phenomenal growth.

Coming back to Grafton, I sold The Old Canning Factory in the Hamlet to a Book Designer from the Republic of Rathnelly (it's actually a neighbourhood of Forest Hills which declared themselves a Republic so they can serve wine during Block Parties). He is transforming the Factory into a Loft Country Home dedicating a portion as a gallery for regional artists. It is under the direction and design of one of TO's top designer who is currently working on a $20 million home in the Bridlepath with a 40 car underground garage complete with chandeliers and what not. Hmmm, perhaps reminiscent of Warhol's Factory? And how much did his compound in Martha's Vineyard sold for? (I think it was recently listed at US$50 million which he acquired for just under US$1 million in the sixties.) Grafton is definitely heading in this direction with what all the region has to offer - Spa, Wine, History just to name three!