86 Lakeshore Boulevard

You can tell a lot about a home from the materials used to construct it. At 86 Lakeshore Boulevard, an extraordinary executive waterfront property in Kingston’s west end, the tiles in the entry are limestone, the kitchen counters are cut from local wollastonite, the soft-close cabinets are in white oak. There is also slate flooring and a Douglas Fir window seat built for you to keep an eye on the lake. The attention to detail and sightline, to traffic pattern and elevation throughout the more than 3500 feet of living space is remarkable. A major architectural renovation six years ago has transformed the house. The kitchen (oh that kitchen!) hides premium appliances (Fisher & Paykel, Miele) away where they won’t distract from the view. There is a modesty to the proceedings that feels rare and likely to extend one’s life expectancy. The back family room (there is a front family room too) gives onto patios and decks and lawns and curated gardens, and then finally to a broad swathe of Lake Ontario, its endless blue-green views westward. There are chairs and a hammock out there right now and, well, I just don’t know how one is supposed to get any work done. There are four bedrooms on the second floor, and the principal has the best, most stylish ensuite you’ve seen, There are three-and-a-half bathrooms (plus the glass-tiled dog shower) and there is a new one-bedroom walkup in-law suite in the basement for when family comes and never wants to leave. The hydronic heating system is state of the art, and has been supplemented by seven ductless “splits” for both heating and cooling. The garage is a double, and the driveway is circular. You’re ten minutes from the west-end shops and the downtown core, fifteen from the highway. The schools are brilliant and there are more parks around here than people. It may also be the finest property offered in Kingston this season.