THE SEARCH FOR SPACE, PRIVACY, AND SUSTAINABILITY
By Maxime Vandal, Les Ensembliers
Humminghill Farm is an 80-acre farm in West Bolton, Quebec. This property was developed into a resort area in the 1960’s by Margaret Benson, heiress to a famed Canadian tobacco company, but eventually sat derelict. We intuitively sensed a good deal on our hands.
In 15 years of living together, Richard and I have acquired, rented, and sold 20 properties in Quebec, Ontario, and the US including: opulent homes, lakeside cottages, plots of land, and downtown condominiums. We have developed a passion for the art of ‘flipping,’ showcasing our know-how as architect and designer, and perfecting our craft – that of Ensembliers. Since 2011, House & Home magazine has published several of these projects, and in 2019, they awarded us Designer of the Year.
Purchasing Humminghill has been nothing less than a transformative experience. In this era of a global pandemic and (eventually) post-pandemic, this type of property offers enormous potential. We have all witnessed waterfront property prices soar over the past 12 months, and though still in its infancy, the popularity of farms is also on the rise. A recent edition of Architectural Digest featured a sustainable LA farmhouse owned by Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis.
Like waterfront properties, farms offer the purchaser much more than a real estate investment…it’s an investment in life quality. Whether it’s privacy, tranquility, self-sufficiency, or access to raw natural resources, a farm has almost unlimited potential.
Currently, we have eight farms on our drawing boards: seven in Quebec and one outside Toronto. We are seeing a shift in focus of some of our clients who are now looking for acres of land rather than linear feet of shoreline.
With this rise in popularity, we are pleased to share our expertise and offer some advice for the acquisition and redevelopment of a large land estate.
ACQUISITION
Location
It is advantageous to look for a historic area near a village and a lake. The development potential is better if the farm belongs to an exciting social fabric equipped with certain infrastructures like markets, marinas, specialized shops, and ski resorts. Humminghill is in West Bolton, seven minutes from the village, and approximately one hour from Montreal.
Regulations and zoning
Ideally the property should be protected by agricultural zoning. This shouldn’t be excessively restrictive and you must be well-informed to help protect your investment against the risk of a neighbour subdividing their property.
Acreage
Just like boats, a plot of land is never big enough! Try to fight against your urban reflexes when searching. Our experience shows that 50 acres should be the minimum amount of land, although 100 acres is ideal.
The Neighbouring Farms
It is advisable to visit the neighbouring farms and inquire about their production. Depending on what their activities are, it can create significant disturbances such as unwanted odours, pollution by fertilizer, noise, risks of allergies, and more.
The Genius Loci
Consider the prevailing character of a place. A farm is not necessarily just a large cultivated plain; it may be a forest, a maple grove, or a vineyard. Humminghill consisted of 60 acres of forest, 15 acres of fields, and a neglected two-acre English garden. The beauty and variety of our property’s mature trees give it a unique charm. We decided to grow a flower farm because it harmonized with the nature of the place.
Lake Access
If you’ll need a lake, look for a lakeside club membership, rent a dock, or, like us, buy a small cottage and turn it into a boathouse. Ours is five minutes from the gate of the property, and we go there to admire the sunsets!
DEVELOPMENT
A Team Above All
A farm is so much more than a beautiful house on a plot of land. The sooner you are surrounded by experts, the greater the chances of avoiding costly mistakes. For example, if your intent is to have a commercial operation, your accountants and lawyers should position you quickly to take advantage of any tax benefits.
Get to Know Your Location
This is of utmost importance. A farm is a land of endless possibilities. We acquired ours in 2016 and camped on the land for a year before beginning our project. Our initial vision changed several times as a result of our observations in the field.
Farm Operations
It is important to understand the operations of the farm before building a residence. The logistics of accesses, machinery, and sheds will influence the location and orientation of the new residence. Service buildings are equally as important as the residence for the success of the project.
Production Planning
We have chosen to produce flavoured vinegars and honey. In doing so, we set up a commercial kitchen which also serves as a honey house and space for our employees. Our products are now available at 24 locations and on the web. We’ve sold our vinegar all the way in Vancouver – just imagine what kind of family project you can create!
Objective of Life and Leisure
Perhaps you dream of a tennis court and a swimming pool or stable. Your family may be thinking vegetable gardens, soccer fields, and a private lake. And don’t forget English gardens, mountain bike trails, hunting camps, a vineyard, and that helipad…the options are limitless. They must be identified before starting the design of the house.
The Importance of Phases
A project of this magnitude has phases. Where you begin, depends on your strategy. If a place to live in is the main objective, begin with the residence. If you’re running a business, consider what will produce income. For us, we began farm operations before starting construction of the main house. In the meantime, we built and furnished the coach house.
It goes without saying that owning a farm is a life project. You can experience it at different intensities and develop it at your own pace. For Richard and I, this real estate transaction has changed our lives. We now keep an apartment in Montreal and a pied-à-terre in Toronto, but it is in Humminghill that we found roots…a place with purpose!
With over 25 years in his field, Maxime Vandal is a member of the Ordre des Architectes du Québec, and holds the seal of the Ontario Association of Architects. Today, he and his partner Richard Ouellette, manage Les Ensembliers, a full service design and architecture firm. To view their work, visit ensembliers.com
