Hayden House Cobourg

One of the Last Remaining Grand Century Home

475 George Street

Three Storey Classic Revival on a 1 Acre Lot (152' x 222') with a Circular Drive, "Bent Branches" Menagerie on the Grounds

Original Oversized Plaster Mouldings and Leaded Glass Windows, Quarter Sawn Oak Flooring

Main House is approximately 6,500 sq.ft.; Coach House is approximately 2,600 sq.ft. (c 1884)

Coach House is 2½ Storey and retains its original Horse Stall with Cast Iron Fretwork

Houses a 2-car Garage with a Second Story Loft with Cathedral Ceiling

Tap into what the cognoscenti have known for several years, a little bit of insider information if you will - Port Hope and Cobourg is turning into a bedroom community of Toronto. 50 minutes of highway driving east of Toronto on HWY 401, Port Hope is one of (maybe a couple), towns in Ontario that has a proactive Heritage Conservatory that has prevented bulldozing of Century Homes for Parking Lots - "managed growth" is a term that comes to mind. Cobourg, just 10 minutes east of Port Hope, is the "sister" township that is one of Toronto's favourites. Then there is Grafton, just another wee bit east.

And it is a good thing. Steeped in history, the "triplets" were the playgrounds of the Rich and Famous since the early 1800's. That would explain all the majestic estates in the surrounding countryside.

Northumberland County, where the "triplets" lie, benefits 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 $550,000. I am sure it's worth a lot more now. A recent article in Toronto Star (July 1, 2002) mentioned that a developer from Peterborough is planning to develop a 4,800 people retirement community in Port Hope. He does have the vision and started accumulating land mass 10 years back.

Northumberland County is only part of this "managed growth" phenomenon , although, additionally, there seems to be a trend in Health Spas popping up the the area as well as the traditional Country Fare. Moving slightly eastward, we have 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, 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, is setting up another one in Brighton. I am sure this will be 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.

From another point-of-view, with the reciprocal commerce between Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, Northumberland is the Gateway to Toronto from travelers in these regions. A good break after 4 - 5 hours of driving!

Whimsically charming are the words that first come to mind as I entered the premises. "Stately" was the visual impact impression from the road when I first saw it. The Circular Drive with Red Crushed Brick and the "Bent Branches" Menagerie on the Grounds really stood outs. Nestled in a cluster of very unique important homes from a period past, Hayden House is walking distance to VIA Rail. Rather remind me of the people in Connecticut for some reason commuting to the Big Apple (in our case I think TO is also known as the "Big Smoke").

The house has undergone extensive renovation in the past 3 years under the supervision or Robin de Groot of the HGTV fame. www.RobindeGroot.ca A sampling of what he has done. The 2 Storey Portico was rebuilt from Spanish Cedar. A circular driveway was added with red crushed brick and a brick walkway leading to the Front Entrance. A Brick Terrace was also added at the rear of the House accessed through the French Doors from the Sun Room (with Slate Floors). The Interior Restoration and Updates are detailed in the foregoing section separately for the individual Rooms.

The Interiors are very white. French was the initial impression. Very much a Leslie Caron in Gigi feel rather than the contemporary Ian Schrager's - although there are elements of it throughout the house.