The mistake on the lake: massive unfinished mansion now an eyesore in Temiskaming Shores | CBC News (2024)

Sudbury

What was once the largest house in Canada is now the largest eyesore for one northern Ontario town.

65,000 square foot house on Lake Temiskaming was listed for $25 million in 2010

The mistake on the lake: massive unfinished mansion now an eyesore in Temiskaming Shores | CBC News (1)

Erik White · CBC News

·

Forest industry mogul Peter Grant planned a palace on Lake Temiskaming.

It was to feature waterfalls, an art gallery, golf course and an enormous boathouse and at 65-thousand square feet it was to be the largest house in Canada.

But over a decade later, it has never been finished or lived in.

"So now it's probably our biggest eyesore," says Temiskaming Shores Mayor Carman Kidd who can see it out his window at city hall.

"People think about what it could have been when it was finished."

The house was listed for sale at $25 million in 2010.

A few years later it was purchased by a Toronto-area company that could not be reached for comment.

Mayor Kidd says the current owners have done little other than put up security cameras.

He says the ownersalso didn't pay property taxes for three years and the municipality put the property up for a tax sale last fall.

"About the last hour before it was sold off for taxes, they actually came forward with a cheque to pay the back taxes, so they own it free and clear again and we'll see whether they continue to keep the taxes paid or if we put it up for tax sale again in three years time," says Kidd, adding that the unpaid taxes totalled $150,000.

Kidd says the same company also owns an old forest products plant in town, commonly known as Uniboard.

He says that building is also sitting on much coveted waterfront property on Lake Temiskaming and is also falling into disrepair.

"A building with so much potential and now it's just decaying, is the biggest problem," he says.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The mistake on the lake: massive unfinished mansion now an eyesore in Temiskaming Shores | CBC News (3)

Erik White

journalist

Erik White is a CBC journalist based in Sudbury. He covers a wide range of stories about northern Ontario. Connect with him on Twitter @erikjwhite. Send story ideas to erik.white@cbc.ca

    The mistake on the lake: massive unfinished mansion now an eyesore in Temiskaming Shores | CBC News (2024)

    FAQs

    Why did Peter Grant abandon his mansion? ›

    The global economic recession had financially crippled him and in 2009 – after filing for court protection from creditors, with roughly CAD$600 million ($479m/£353m) of debt – all of the company's assets, including the mansion, were put up for sale.

    Where is Canada's largest abandoned mansion? ›

    Recognized as the largest abandoned home in the entire country, this absolute beast boasts 65,000 square feet of (now unused) space and sits on 43-acres of prime lakeside real estate in Haileybury, Ontario, about 5 and a half hours north of Toronto.

    Where is the largest abandoned mansion? ›

    Lynnewood Hall is a 110-room Neoclassical Revival mansion in Elkins Park, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Vacant today, it was designed by architect Horace Trumbauer for industrialist Peter A. B.

    What is Peter Grant's mansion worth? ›

    Exploring the Peter Grant Mansion: Largest Abandoned Mansion in Canada | $25,000,000.

    What is the largest privately owned house in the world? ›

    Istana Nurul Imam Palace, Brunei

    It is located in the hills of River Brunei near the capital city. It is the world's largest private residence with a 2.15 million square feet area. It has 1788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, a banquet hall with a capacity of 5000 guests, and a mosque accommodating 1500 people.

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    The mansion, which was built between 1898 and 1900, cost approximately $8 million to construct. Since 1996, however, this Gilded Age mansion has been owned by a Korean church, says Kent.

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    Ontario Place originally opened in 1972 as a way to promote the province. It closed down in 2012 but is still open to walk around and explore. The “abandoned” theme park attractions are found in West Island which you can access by a bridge near the Imax entrance. Wildernesss Adventure ride (1981).

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    In Canada's far north, the government of Yukon Territory wants to attract small farmers to the frigid region with a simple pitch: free land.

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    White Otter Castle is a three-storey castle designed by Jimmy McOuat near Atikokan, Ontario. He was a strange fellow, and built the castle between 1903 and 1915 to use as a dowry for a lady he wanted to marry. He drowned in 1918 while fishing, and is buried busied the castle. The property has been abandoned since.

    Can you tour the abandoned Titanic mansion? ›

    Currently, we are not able to offer tours to the public.

    How much is the abandoned Titanic mansion? ›

    The property was built for Peter Arrell Browne Widener, an investor in the Titanic, between 1897 and 1900. The mansion covers 70,000 square feet and is thought to have cost $8 million. The property boasts 55 bedrooms and 20 bathrooms, as well as an indoor pool.

    What is the prettiest mansion in the world? ›

    The top 10 most beautiful houses in the world
    • VILLA HANOI, SAINT-TROPEZ, FRANCE.
    • MAS BELLE HÉLÈNE, PROVENCE, FRANCE.
    • VILLA A NEPITA, CORSICA, FRANCE.
    • VILLA CARRAGUEIRA, COMPORTA, PORTUGAL.
    • VILLA BLUE, IBIZA, SPAIN.
    • VILLA TREA, THE MARCHES, ITALY.
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    Richard Saghian, owner of the fast-fashion business Fashion Nova, has emerged as the winning bidder of the Los Angeles mansion known as “The One.”

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    Antilia (building)
    Antilia
    Completed2010
    Opening2010
    CostUS $2.6 billion
    OwnerMukesh Ambani
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    What is the largest mansion in the United States? ›

    #1 Biltmore Estate (Asheville, North Carolina): 175,000 square feet. The Biltmore Estate isn't just the largest privately owned house in the United States — it blows the competition out of the water.

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    The largest landowner in the world is not a major oil magnate or a real estate investor. No, it's the Roman Catholic Church. According to lovemoney.com, the church owns more than 70 million hectares. An area that is larger than France.

    Is there a house bigger than Buckingham Palace? ›

    Hamilton Palace is one of the biggest mansions in the country, eclipsing even Buckingham Palace in its size. Yet nobody appears to live there, and the palace STILL remains unfinished despite construction having started nearly 40 years ago.

    How did Peter Widener make his money? ›

    During the Civil War, Peter A.B. Widener, a brickmaker's son who became a butcher, laid the foundation for the family fortune by selling meat to Union troops. He plowed his $50,000 profit into streetcar lines in Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh.

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    It would cost a fortune to buy, of course, and a second fortune to rehab. Almost a decade ago, Chadds Ford architect Mary DeNadai, who specializes in historic restoration and had toured the inside, estimated that it would require $10 million for basic repairs and upkeep, and $50 million to restore its former glory.

    Can you buy the Titanic mansion? ›

    It was listed for sale asking $20 million in 2019 and most recently was listed for $11 million — still pricey, given that the two-plot property is appraised at $2.56 million, according to property records, and restoration costs are estimated at $40 million, according to Media Drum.

    Can you claim abandoned property in Ontario? ›

    In Ontario, the Escheats Act, 2015 sets out a procedure by which the Public Guardian and Trustee in Ontario may take possession of unclaimed property that has become the property of the Crown by virtue of another law or statute.

    Is it illegal to explore abandoned buildings in Canada? ›

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    There is no admission to walk through Ontario Place. We are a public park with year round activities (some rental fees may apply) and events.

    What town in Ontario is selling land for $500? ›

    A northern Ontario town that was decimated when its local mill shut down in 2006, has seen a recent comeback. Sue Perras, the mayor of Smooth Rock Falls, north of Timmins, said 60 families moved to the small town after it started to offer lots for $500 four years ago.

    Where is cheapest land in Canada? ›

    Check out the 10 most affordable regions in Canada and what you can by there, below.
    1. Saguenay, Quebec. realtor.ca. ...
    2. Newfoundland and Labrador. Century 21 Big Land Realty Limited. ...
    3. Saint John, New Brunswick. eXp Realty. ...
    4. Regina, Saskatchewan. ...
    5. Quebec CMA, Quebec. ...
    6. Trois Rivières, Quebec. ...
    7. Winnipeg, Manitoba. ...
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    20 Jul 2022

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    If you are claiming land owned by a private individual, you need to show 20 years of continuous use and occupation. The squatter must prove that they have met the legal tests (i.e. actual, open, visible, notorious, exclusive, and continuous possession) and are in possession of the whole property.

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    What country has the most abandoned castles? ›

    Belgium houses the majority of abandoned mansions, hotels and castles, with a total of 300 known abandoned buildings of this nature.

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    The house that art built

    Sadly, neither George nor Harry lived to inherited Lynnewood Hall. Widener's only surviving child, Joseph, took over responsibility for the expensive estate and received an estimated fortune of around $60 million (£53m).

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    Although the RMS Titanic was registered as a British ship, it was owned by the American tycoon, John Pierpont (J.P.) Morgan, whose company was the controlling trust and retained ownership of the White Star Line!

    Who owns the First Korean Church of New York? ›

    Owner, Richard W. Yoon Appraisal, Inc.

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    Titanic Ticket Prices

    A ticket to set sail on this luxury liner cost 7 pounds for a third-class ticket in 1912. For a first-class suite, the cost was 870 pounds. With today's inflation rate, a third-class ticket would cost 850 pounds and to travel first-class would cost 105,000 pounds.

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    Today I found out that Milton S. Hershey bought a VIP ticket for the Titanic but ended up not boarding. The Titanic, the unsinkable ship, launched on April 10, 1912, carrying some 2,200 passengers and crew en route to the United States.

    How much is an artifact from the Titanic worth? ›

    Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Appraisers have valued the Titanic items at $200 million. The salvage rights to the ship are also being sold. Clearly, interest in the tragedy among members of the public, collectors, and museums remains strong.

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    1. Birgu, Malta. Birgu is crowned the city with the most beautiful houses.

    What house won the ugliest house in America? ›

    Bernardo Mazzucco won the title of “The Ugliest House of the Year” 2021 in a competition sponsored by HomeVestors, the original “We Buy Ugly Houses” company. After a fiercely competitive national vote, Mazzucco won the highly sought-after prize, beating out nearly 10,000 homes.

    Which country has most beautiful houses? ›

    The overall winner of the competition and Global Homes category was a sprawling Italian Villa near Sardinia, Italy.

    What is the biggest abandoned mansion in the world? ›

    1. Lynnewood Hall, Pennsylvania. A neo-classical revival marvel built in Elkins Park between 1897 and 1900 for someone considered as one of America's richest people and copious art collector, Peter Anel Browne Widener, was once one of the finest real estate examples which are now dilapidated and abandoned.

    Who owns the 87 million dollar Bel-Air mansion? ›

    The seven-bedroom, 11-bath residence is owned by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Alex Khadavi. “Seven is a number and theme that has affected me in every important aspect of my life,” Khadavi said in an interview, “from the age I came to America, to the floor level of my condominium.”

    Can you visit the one mansion? ›

    Tour the 105,000 sq. ft. megahome with 21 bedrooms, 42 full baths, a private night club, four-lane bowling alley, full-service hair salon, indoor pool and a giant moat.

    Which is the No 1 house in world? ›

    1. Antilia, Mumbai, India, owned by Mukesh Ambani. Like many billionaire families, Ambanis too wanted an opulently unique and customized residence. Thus began the conceptualization and construction of 'Antilia', designed by the firm Perkins and Will, named after a mythical island in the Atlantic Ocean.

    Who is the richest man ever lived on the planet? ›

    According to historians, the richest person ever to walk the earth was a man named Mansa Musa, a 14th century West African ruler, whose wealth was simply “indescribable” and “incomprehensible”, per the BBC.

    Who is the richest person in the world? ›

    Despite the losses, Musk is well ahead of third-place Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, who is worth $135 billion and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, whose wealth is estimated at $113.1 billion. On Bloomberg's Billionaires Index, Musk is solidly in first place with a net worth of $171 billion.

    Who owns the largest private home in America? ›

    Largest houses
    RankAreaOwner
    1178,926 sq ft (16,622.8 m2)The Biltmore Company
    2109,000 sq ft (10,100 m2)Gary Melius
    3105,000 sq ft (9,800 m2)Richard Saghian
    4100,000 sq ft (9,300 m2)(demolished in 1980)
    47 more rows

    Do any New York mansions still exist? ›

    A few Gilded Age-era mansions—such as the Frick Collection and the Cooper Hewitt design museum—remain intact on the Upper East Side.

    Who lives in the biggest house in America? ›

    The Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned home in the United States. Built near Asheville, North Carolina, it is still owned by the descendants of one of America's richest families, the Vanderbilts.

    Why are some mansions abandoned? ›

    It is often flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or other natural disasters that force families and businesses to evacuate the area in which they live and make a living. And in some cases, when the individuals leave for safety reasons and they never return.

    Where is Peter Grant buried? ›

    Home to actor and music executive Peter Grant for many years, Hellingly is now also his burial site following a funeral in the parish church in 1995. Grant lived at Horselunge's Manor which was used for the opening scene of Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains The Same.

    Is Peter Grant still alive? ›

    Who built Peter Grant Mansion? ›

    At 65,000 square feet, this vacant mansion goes by different names – Haileybury House, Peter Grant Mansion or simply “Canada's Largest Mansion”. It was built along the shores of Lake Temiskaming in Northern Ontario by Peter Grant Junior.

    Why do people abandon thier homes? ›

    There are several common reasons why homes become empty and they are: The inability of the owner to financially meet the cost of repairs and the upkeep of the house. Planning restrictions relating to the occupancy of the property. Access problems such as land disputes or road closures.

    What state has the most abandoned houses? ›

    The study by LendingTree ranked the nation's 50 states by their shares of unoccupied homes. The highest vacancy rates were found in Vermont, Maine and Alaska. Each state has between 20% and 22% of its housing stock vacant. The three states combined are home to more than 315,000 unoccupied units.

    How do people find abandoned mansions? ›

    Check with Local Authorities. Make an appointment with the county clerk. You might be able to identify abandoned homes by going to the county clerk's office because the government keeps property ownership data. Inquire with banks to see if they have an inventory of houses under foreclosure.

    Are Peter and Rosemary Grant still alive? ›

    Peter Raymond Grant FRS FRSC (born October 26, 1936) and Barbara Rosemary Grant FRS FRSC (born October 8, 1936) are a British married couple who are evolutionary biologists at Princeton University. Each currently holds the position of emeritus professor.

    Are Peter and Rosemary Grant married? ›

    My research focuses on the maintenance of phenotypic variation and the process of speciation in natural environments. Together with my husband Peter Grant I have been studying Darwin's finches on the Galápagos islands since 1973.

    What is Peter Grant doing now? ›

    Peter Grant – Stepping up to Coach - Queen's Park Football Club.

    Where is Peter Wolf now? ›

    A dropout from the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts (where he roomed with Blue Velvet director David Lynch), Wolf has also been painting. Now living in Boston — the city where he launched his entertainment career by working as a DJ — Wolf quietly disproves those who think he must've got lost.

    Who owns Horselunges Manor? ›

    2. This moated timber-framed house was built at the end of the C15 by John Devenish, who died in 1477, or by his son Sir John Devenish, who died before 1518. It was restored in 1925 by Mr W H Godfrey for the present owner Mr R P Rowe.

    Where did Clan Grant live? ›

    Castle Grant was the seat of the Chief of Clan Grant. Urquhart Castle owned by the Clan Grant from 1509, to 1912. Ballindalloch Castle was owned by the Grants from 1499 onwards. Loch an Eilein Castle, near Aviemore came into the possession of the Grants in 1567.

    What is the largest private residence in Canada? ›

    Located about five hours north of Toronto, Ontario, the Peter Grant Mansion is the largest home in Canada.

    Who owns the big house on Bloomington Road? ›

    Here it is: A mansion on Bloomington Road was built for Elton John and his partner, David Furnish of Scarborough. It's massive, with a sweet view of the Toronto skyline from its perch on the Oak Ridges Moraine between Hwy.

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