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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday March 1, 2008 - 3 Big plans for old estate By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF E dgemere Estate's mansion may be demolished, but developers eying the property for 10 "manor homes"say the historical structures on the 12.5 acre lakefront lot will be restored and maintained. That's the plan builders have put to the Town of Oakville, a proposal that if passed, will see 10, two-and-a-half storey mansions housing up to three flats apiece erected at 1502 Lakeshore Rd. E. President of Edgemere Estate Limited, Marc Hewitt, recently took The Oakville Beaver on a tour of the property to show exactly what the plans call for. "There is 1,000 feet of lakefront here, which is pretty remarkable at this day and age," said Hewitt, 55. "It's probably the most beautiful property I have seen anywhere, at least in this part of the world. "To me, this was the way to make better use of the property," he added, referring to a diagram of his proposal. "You can have up to 30 people living on the lakefront, and this saves most of the trees on the property." Of the 420 trees at Edgemere Estate, Hewitt says 19 will be removed according to his plan, which also calls for 200 trees to be planted. A native of Winnipeg and resident of southeast Oakville since 2003, where he lives with his wife Anna and five children, Hewitt says he's looking at Edgemere Estate not only from the perspective of a developer. "It's different when you're doing something that's walking distance from your home," he said. "That's why we want to do this really, really well, because it's our neighbourhood." According to a freedom of information report obtained by CHCH, Edgemere Estate, once listed at $45 million, was sold in September 2007 for $35.5 million. Edgemere Estate Limited took title to the property on behalf of a group of developers. The financing was organized by Carterra Management. Saving the history associated LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER OUT WITH THE NEW: Edgemere Estate Limited President Marc Hewitt wants to tear down this 32,000-squarefoot mansion on the 12.5 acre lakefront lot to make way for 10, two-and-a-half storey "manor homes." This development proposal was recently put to the Town of Oakville. with Edgemere Estate is in their plans for the property, says Hewitt. "None of the old buildings on the property have to be destroyed, they'll all be restored and made part of the amenities." A landscape architect and urban designer, who got into real estate development and ownership in the 1990s, Hewitt is responsible "It's probably the most beautiful property I have seen anywhere, at least in this part of the world." Marc Hewitt, President of Edgemere Estate Limited for much of the housing around The Rogers Centre in Toronto, and also spent three years in Dubai, where he spearheaded the development of 8,000 homes and condo units. "I came back to Oakville to sort of semi-retire and just do projects that are really interesting," he said. "Have you ever just wanted to LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER IN WITH THE OLD: This greenhouse at Edgemere Estate, built in the 1920s, is one of five historic buildings on the lakefront property that would be restored and maintained under development plans by Edgemere Estate Limited. concentrate only on things you really wanted to do?" Edgemere Estate is one of those things. "This was built 100 years ago," Hewitt said, standing in front of the carriage house and stable, which is in the middle of the property, close to the front gates. "This was the door where the horses came in and out." The carriage house and stable is among five buildings erected around the time Toronto jeweler James Ryrie took possession of the estate in 1907. Also located near the front gates and built in the early 1900s is the Keeper's Lodge, which would house a full-time estate manager under Hewitt's plans. West of that is a large, elaborate greenhouse, partly visible from Lakeshore Road. "This was built about 1920, and it's a steel greenhouse, so we can re-glaze this and preserve it," said Hewitt. "This will become a conservatory, so we'll have plants in it, and we'll also have a seating area." Beyond the greenhouse is a large rose garden, now overgrown, which may become home to tennis courts. As you walk toward the waterfront, there's a stone Japanese tea house. "Ryrie had a real interest in Asian architecture, and this is an example of that," said Hewitt. "It's just a beautiful spot, and they used to have garden parties here, and have meals. This will stay essentially as it is." Along the waterfront on the west side of the property is a boathouse big enough for two boats, and a small grill house. Hewitt says both would be restored and used for their original purposes under his plans. The stone walls that run along the property and along a creek on the estate would also remain. So, too, would the original well. "You just don't find things like this anymore," said Hewitt, while walking by the well, located just east of the tea house. While Edgemere Estate now houses a 32,000-square-foot mansion, built in the 1990s with nine bedrooms and 17 bathrooms, See Private page 4 PREPARE FOR THE ROAD AHEAD. N Next course: F March F March 7, 8, 9, 10, 4 Days 9:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. 11, 12, 13, 14, 4 Days 9:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. MTO APPROVED BEGINNER DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE PROVIDER www.youngdrivers.com 905.845.7200