The Details

Perched at the top of a hill on one of the most coveted streets in Port Hope sits 78 Augusta Street. This stately home of Victorian Italianate architecture, built by Thomas McCreery in 1875, is one of the signature houses of one of Ontario’s most charming towns, rich in history and vibrant culture. From first glance, this property exudes sophistication and grandeur. The magnificent, unique architectural exterior strikes a majestic pose with its second-storey tower and elongated mansard roof, uniquely decorative Lintels and Juliet balcony, impressive double brick façade and wraparound porch. It is equally as beautiful in the day, as at night.

Extraordinary views present themselves from every storey and every angle of the house. Look south over Lake Ontario, east over the historic Town Hall tower clock, west up Augusta and north over the ravine and sweeping, tree-lined vista with views of multiple church spires. Spaciously nestled into a neighbourhood of multiple beautiful unique heritage homes. The purposefully built green laneway up to the house was designed and built by the current owners. The greenway is anchored by a modern and artistic take on classic drystone wall. Designed by
the current owners and handcrafted by world renowned drystone waller, John Shaw Rimmington, the extended wall creatively folds into the greenway stonework that frames the property and the driveway up to this ‘castle on a hill’.

The stories held within this incredible heritage home lie behind its exceedingly rare double brick exterior. The fully restored intricate millwork, handcrafted plaster crown moulding, soaring ceilings, vintage glass and double hung windows still exist in many of the windows, and aged hardwood flooring. These are just a few of the endless character details this home has to offer.

Walk through the newly refurbished double-door entry into the grand foyer and you are taken aback by the natural light and old-school beauty. This impressive, impeccably restored heritage home boasts 10- and 11-foot ceilings throughout. Its generously proportioned principal rooms lend to a natural flow and inherent sophistication.

The first floor features stately principal rooms that have a lovely connection to one another, while also allowing for separated spaces to sneak away. The front foyer boasts high ceilings, large bay windows and a wrapping and wide wooden staircase with original banister ascending to the second floor. There is a beautiful Mumford fireplace in the living room, custom built bookcases and windows and French doors overlooking the gorgeous front and back gardens. The family room adjoins the wonderful eat-in kitchen. This interior designed kitchen with its in-floor heating has custom-designed wooden cabinetry and honed slate edges and single cut countertop, with a double-floor-sloped ceiling, and a perfect connection to the mudroom with a picture window view to the incredible back gardens.

Direct from the kitchen, climb the second option of stairs to the next level where you will find two well-sized bedrooms, a renovated bathroom with its signature Louis IV oversized mirror, clawfoot tub, glass shower, marble countertops and in-floor heated tile floor. This
second storey of the tower has floor-to-ceiling shelving creating a wonderful reading nook through to a Juliet balcony where you can enjoy views down Augusta Street toward town and the lake. Tucked away, there is also second-floor laundry with cabinetry and extra storage.

Continuing to third level with two more well-proportioned bedrooms, known by today’s owners as the “getaway guest suite,” this floor offers two cozy bedrooms and a classic, spa-like bathroom where, while taking a soak in the claw foot bathtub, you can enjoy views into the back gardens and ravine as well as toward Northumberland hills. It also has its own coffee bar. The third story of the tower provides outstanding eastern and southern views of the surrounding tree canopy, Lake Ontario the town and Ganaraska river. From the foyer, a separate side door allows one to step out and travel along the wraparound porch that leads back to an incredibly private, mature outdoor oasis, with a garden that is a true masterpiece and labour of love. Professionally landscaped over the years, this garden and its mature trees have been carefully and thoughtfully designed and maintained. The tiered back gardens offer, firstly, a large stone paver area, perfect for privately relaxing and ample room for dining. The lower tier is more open to the ravine with a gardener station and garden.

Perfect for the chef of the house, a herb garden is situated right outside the kitchen door within another perfectly designed drystone wall installation. Designed as a double helix, this wall creates a most secure retaining wall to the adjacent property and features a terrace to enhance
the views of the ravine and town from the gardens. As the gardens drop into the ravine on this double-lot property a truly unique possibility exists for a potential pool, coach house/garage, secondary laneway and access to the house, or even a secondary dwelling.

Port Hope is a vibrant town, connecting urban and rural life, it is bustling with activity and home to famous artists, writers, and intellectuals. This signature property is within walking distance of the charming downtown’s shops, restaurants, and businesses. Port Hope is also home to Trinity College School, one of the top private schools in Canada and also home to excellent public junior, middle and high schools.

Only one hour from Toronto by train or car, this country estate provides the tranquility of a pastoral setting within the city’s reach, offering the best of both worlds within this architecturally stunning ‘castle on a hill.’ This unique and lovingly restored a home offers an opportunity to own a prestigious part of Port Hope’s history.