Sometimes gems are where you least expect them to be.
That's the case with 58 Railway Street East in the cottage country haven of Whytewold, about an hour from the city off highways 8 or 9 north, nestled next to Lake Winnipeg. If you didn't know it was there, you'd miss it. And that would be a shame.
Make no mistake, it's easy to miss 58 Railway Street for one reason: the lot it's situated on. At 15 acres, it's both deep and expansive, with an impressive array of mature trees surrounding the 1,660-square-foot, four-level split design, which was built in 1989.
The lot allowed the house to be set well back from the road for a feeling of unparalleled privacy. With meticulously landscaped grounds and mature forest surrounding the home, it's akin to living in a park.
"This home is definitely a hidden treasure -- it's so secluded and private," says Sutton Real Estate's Norm Mayer. "Not only is the property incredibly beautiful, but the house is so solid. It's on a piled foundation, features two-by-six outside wall construction, with an extra one-and-a-half inches of fibreglass-clad insulation on all outside walls, and two inches of Styrofoam covering on all concrete work. It was built to last."
Although it's found in the heart of cottage country, this is clearly no cottage. Take, for example, the balcony off the second bedroom, along with a huge deck (32 feet by 15 feet) and screened in porch (a generous 21 feet by 14 feet). There's even a cavernous workshop at the rear of the grounds adjacent to the home.
The interior of the split-level design is equally impressive. To match the countrified surroundings, the owners went with a vaulted ceiling and walls on the main level, along with a cultured stone wood-burning fireplace. With windows all around, the open-concept living room/dining room/kitchen area is bright and affords clear vistas of the magnificent surroundings outside.
"If you like nature and woods, this is the place for you," Mayer says. "When people walk in, they can't believe the place. You've got a gorgeous screened porch off the living room, and a main living area that's warm, relaxing and that's very functional. It's just so solid, with all kinds of big windows and lots of space. It's a home, not a cottage."
Indeed, the split-level design is very functional. Upstairs, there are two bedrooms -- the master and a secondary bedroom that's been turned into a den but could easily be converted back into a bedroom, and an expansive four-piece main bathroom.
"Both bedrooms are large, and the bathroom, with its Jacuzzi tub set in grey tile, is also larger than normal. You have your pick of what you can do -- having a beverage out on the balcony overlooking the gorgeous backyard, or a relaxing soak in the Jacuzzi," he says. "Regardless of whether you're inside or outside, people can't believe how beatiful the house and its surroundings are."
On the practical side of things, there is a cavernous laundry room a few steps down on the lower level next to the garage. In fact, the area is so big that a guest bed can be placed along the back wall without interrupting the traffic flow one iota.
From there, another set of stairs takes you down to a lower level that has a shower, games area and storage.
"It's already panelled; all it needs is some flooring and you're good to go," Mayer says. "The home, which uses a natural gas, forced-air furnace, also has a heat ventilation recovery unit, central air conditioning, water softener, central vacuum and two toilet tank mincer valves to prevent sweating. This home is mint and has everything you need to simply move in and enjoy it."
As it turns out, 58 Railway Street is only one-and-half blocks from the lake and also has a creek that runs along the property. Needless to say, the outgoing owners, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, say it's going to be difficult to leave.
"It's going to be hard," Mr. Jones says. "It's been a wonderful peaceful place to call home, so quiet ,with great neighbours. Eveything worked out very well, but it's time for someone else to enjoy it."
Mayer agrees.
"It's hard to beat this place. It's truly a home for all seasons, a home that, hopefully, someone else can enjoy for 20 years or more."
DETAILS:
58 Railway Street East
Location: Whytewold, Manitoba
Size: 1,660 sq. ft. with finished lower level
Year built: 1989
Style: Four-level split
Lot size: 15 acres
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2 plus shower
Price: $389,900
Contact: Norm Mayer, Sutton Real Estate @ 475-9130
