Artist’s rendering of Aspen Shores in Meaford; courtesy of Skydev.
On the Waterfront
By Marc Huminilowycz
With waterfront properties in short supply and prices continually rising, residential developers are creating desirable spaces by the lake to call home for a variety of buyers, from Southern Georgian Bay to the Lake Huron shore.
On the south shore of Georgian Bay lies the world’s longest freshwater beach. With fourteen kilometres of sand, and safe, shallow waters stretching out as far as the eye can see, Wasaga Beach has been attracting vacationing families and water sports enthusiasts for several generations.
At the heart of Wasaga’s Beach Area 1 stands an entertainment landmark built in 1918 as a dance hall adjacent to a family-run hotel. During World War II, soldiers training at Base Borden— many of whom had family cabins on the beach—would come here to dance. Over the years, Beach 1 developed a boardwalk, souvenir shops, arcades, and amusement rides. The original dance hall eventually became The Dardanella, or “The Dard,” as it’s affectionately known today—a live music and dance bar that showcased top Canadian talent.
In 2007, a devastating fire destroyed most of the buildings along the pedestrian mall at Beach 1, though The Dard survived. Now, demolition crews are dismantling the remaining buildings, and The Dardanella is slated for demolition to make way for a multimillion-dollar beachfront redevelopment. The ambitious project will transform Town-owned property at Beach 1 into a mixed-use commercial and residential destination, featuring shops, restaurants, amenities, and a flagship hotel built by Toronto’s Sunray Group of Hotels.
This redevelopment is poised to reinvent Beach 1, turning it into a major tourism and residential hub. “If we build a community where our full-time residents want to live, work, and play year-round, we will attract investment, fun, and the high-value tourists we need to become a more resilient community,” said Town of Wasaga Beach CAO Andre McNeill in a recent news release. With a steady consumer desire to locate by the clear waters of Southern Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, other smaller residential projects are currently in the works.
Artist’s rendering of Wasaga Walk; courtesy of Primont Homes.
One of these is Wasaga Walk, a community from Primont Homes, a family-owned Ontario company with a fifty-year history. Located at the west end of Mosley Street, within walking distance of Beach Area 6, Wasaga Walk will include 315 townhomes. “Wasaga Walk offers a mix of three-to five-bedroom traditional and back-to-back units that combine design-forward style, comfort, and exceptional value,” said Michael DiGirolano, Primont’s VP of Marketing. “Ranging in size from 1,235 to 1,660 square feet, these homes appeal to young families and urban dwellers looking for a four-season lifestyle close to the beach.” Primont hopes to break ground in the fall.
Farther west, in the prestigious Collingwood waterfront community of The Shipyards, Fram + Slokker is building Collingwood Quay. Known for innovation and quality, the Mississauga based developer is constructing a nine-storey condo with 100 suites, customizable options, water views, and underground parking. The suites range from 900 to 2,120 square feet, with prices between $850,000 and $3 million. “Surrounded on all sides by the waters of Georgian Bay and a future promenade park and public square, Collingwood Quay will evoke the architecture of days past, with a modern Nordic flair,” said Fred Serrafero, Fram + Slokker Senior VP. Amenities will include a lobby lounge, coworking spaces, a gym, guest suites, a pet spa, and more.
On the western edge of Thornbury, the established Lora Bay community has long offered an active lifestyle on Georgian Bay’s shores. Originally developed in 1997 around a golf course, Lora Bay now includes single-family homes, townhomes, and cottages. Award-winning Ontario builder Great Gulf Homes acquired the golf course and the balance of Lora Bay development land in 2022, according to company President, Low-Rise Residential, Katy Schofield. “At this time, we have site plan approval for the first phase of a new development to include 55 lots for single family homes and a handful of Towns, which will build on and enhance this vibrant lifestyle community with an active social scene,” she said. “And we will be working with the municipality on an enhanced amenity plan, including the small beach on site.”
Artist’s rendering of Collingwood Quay; courtesy of Fram + Slokker.
A short drive west in the Municipality of Meaford, another Ontario developer, Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities, has plans to build a large residential and commercial village on approximately 333 acres of land, mostly waterfront, west of Christie Beach. At this time, the company is seeking an amendment to build up to 1,250 dwellings with a mix of recreational, community, and residential units (including single detached, multi-detached, and apartment buildings), along with approximately 25,000 square feet of retail/ commercial space, public parks and trails, a community centre, and a village square.
In the town of Meaford itself, a Guelph developer purchased the vacant Stanley Knight hardwood flooring factory site on the waterfront east of the municipal harbour several years ago. Aspen Shores from Skydev (a division of Skyline Group of Companies) is envisioned as a “destination resort” community consisting of three-to four-storey condominium buildings overlooking Georgian Bay. These condominiums will include one-bedroom units ranging from 600 to 750 square feet, as well as two-bedroom units from 770 to 1,272 square feet, offering lake views, ground-level garden terraces, and a variety of amenities such as a pool, two-barrel saunas, a fitness centre, a pickleball court, a lounge, a social gathering room, and a games room. The community will also feature a boutique hotel managed by Vintage Hotels, headquartered in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“I can see Aspen Shores looking a lot like another Ontario destination resort, Elora Mill,” said Skydev President Greg Jones. “The site will feature an improved sidewalk, tree-lined boulevards, a dog run, and an environmentally-sensitive green space on the waterfront, retained by the Municipality, connected to street access and a waterfront boardwalk. Nearby, there is a marina for motorized watercraft storage and other great amenities.”
Jones emphasized that his company is very passionate about the project. “This development represents more than a $100 million investment in Meaford. We have conditional site approval, and building permits have been issued,” he says. “Our sales centre in Collingwood will be opening soon—this spring or summer.”
Artist’s rendering of Aspen Shores in Meaford; courtesy of Skydev.
Travelling further west, north of Owen Sound is Cobble Beach, a waterfront golf community established in 2007 on the shores of Georgian Bay. It features an award-winning 18-hole links-style golf course that offers stunning views of the bay from every hole. At the heart of Cobble Beach is a charming Nantucketstyle clubhouse with a luxurious inn, a rejuvenating spa, and a pro shop. Designed as a year-round destination, the community boasts a variety of amenities that highlight the beauty of Georgian Bay throughout all seasons.
On the Lake Huron shore, the town of Southampton—known as “Ontario’s Hamptons”—offers visitors a maritime vibe, endless white sand beaches, historic lighthouses, quaint cottages, boutique shops, and spectacular sunsets. Just a short walk from downtown and the beach is Southampton Landing, a master-planned community with architecturally-designed single-family homes with set back garages for better curb appeal. Ranging from 1,400 to 2,500 square feet, these homes are complemented by abundant green space with walking trails.
The community, built by Alair Homes Grey Bruce, a premium custom home builder originating in British Columbia, is well established. Only ten detached lots remain for sale. A new collection of twenty-five bungalows and bungalow-with-loft townhomes nestled in the green space is now available.
“Our Cedar Creek collection offers a private oasis of towns exceptionally built by Alair Homes,” said Alair partner Ben Freeburn. “Here, you will be surrounded by the beauty of a forested backdrop where you can enjoy winding trails and the serenity offered by the natural landscape.” As an added bonus, each Cedar Creek home is certified “Net Zero Ready,” providing superior indoor comfort and up to 80% better energy efficiency than homes built to standard building codes.
Southern Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, two interconnected bodies of water known for their crystal-clear waters, memorable sunsets, and unlimited water activities, remain prized by families seeking the perfect waterfront retreat. Although lakefront properties are scarce and costly, Ontario’s developers and builders continue to meet demand with innovative projects that cater to every taste and budget. E
