The majestic landscape of Ontario’s Georgian Bay has been luring island lovers for decades—but the rugged geography and sometimes harsh climate has proven daunting for many. For renowned architect William Grierson, the challenge has been irresistible, resulting in the stunning showcase of his work on Table Rock Islands just west of Go Home Bay—a unique eight-bedroom circular cottage that has served as his family’s summer retreat. An open-air central courtyard radiates outward like spokes on a wheel to all eight bedrooms and four baths, as well as the 1,600-square-foot great room with open concept kitchen, living room and dining room. Direct walkouts are included from every room, allowing family members and guests to come and go freely. Floor to ceiling glass windows allow for spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding scenery.

So distinctive is the cottage that an entire chapter is dedicated to it in the book “William Grierson: Selected Works,” highlighting the best projects of the architect’s career. The chapter details the many challenges faced and overcome during the planning and construction phases of the project, including the 24 concrete columns that were placed roughly nine feet apart to support the roof, which extends about four feet beyond the structure’s outer wall. Each column surrounds a steel rod driven deep into the main island’s Precambrian rock, ensuring that the structure is as solid as the rock shield beneath.

This off-the-grid property is fully solar powered. Smooth granite slopes from the cottage to the water. Sheltering rock formations, aka “whalebacks,” to the west form a protected natural harbor on the main islands’ southern end, where there’s also a dry dock boathouse. In addition to the main island, six smaller, undeveloped freehold islands are included in the sale: the one-acre whaleback “Moby Dick” and five others ranging from half-acre to one acre in size.

Exclusive Listing by George Webster
(Sales Representative)
Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty, Brokerage