The Area

Here is what you’re looking at exactly. The purple polygon shape shown is the Platinum Belt. It is a combination of neighbourhoods along Lake Ontario that when assimilated, offer an expanse of luxury living. Roughly, without getting too technical on the intricate neighbourhood subdivisions, it is made up of the listed places. These all have their own inner detailed regions like “White Oaks of Jalna” within Lorne Park. Without complicating things, the whole purpose of the term Platinum Belt real estate is to define a collection of individual areas into one large locale. You may ask why? The reason is recognition and understanding, especially for foreign buyers. The beauty of the entire concept is the simplicity. If you observe the map, you’ll notice the entire section is defined by naturally appearing borders. Lake Ontario to the south, Rebecca/New Streets to the North (for most of the distance), Hurontario Street to the east and Brant St to the west.

Platinum Belt Neighbourhoods and Theory

Embarking on a lengthy drive years ago took me across all the neighbourhoods mentioned herein and there’s one communal feature; seamless transition. Realistically if you follow the Platinum Belt, you don’t notice the change in cities or neighbourhoods for the most part. Of course, there are identifying city signs and a slight industrial section at Lakeshore and Southdown but for the most part, it’s an endless gallery of multi-million dollar mansions and luxury homes. There is yet a place to be found that offers the sheer selection of land and homes at this distance.

Platinum Belt Boundaries

Visually seeing the boundaries of Platinum Belt real estate requires an explanation of why those landmarks were chosen. It’s simple. Consider Lakeshore Rd the main arterial passage with everything surrounding it included in the Platinum Belt. The only sections where this rule of thumb deviates is at Mississauga Road. The northern portion above the QEW was included due to the opulent nature and wealth of this region. Although it extends north, it is a crucial member of the Platinum Belt. The Doulton Estates located within are some of the most expensive homes in Canada. The eastern border is established at Hurontario Street. Although Mineola East is situated right after this boundary, it wasn’t included due to its developmental stage and also the ambiance differentiation. Mineola East is a fantastic luxury neighbourhood and prime location to build a custom home due to the availability of tear downs and land, but it doesn’t quite fit the character of the Platinum Belt. Along the north boundary stretching through Oakville to Burlington is Rebecca St which turns to New St in at the border. This was chosen as it is a simple, straight reference point and anything south of it is considered a prime real estate location. It must be noted that the closer you are to the lake, the more prestigious the homes tend to be.

Platinum Belt, what’s the point?

For locals who live within this region, it seems a bit unnecessary. We know the neighbourhoods and layouts quite well, especially if you’re in the real estate business, at least I would hope so. But we don’t realize the exclusivity of these addresses. Canada is the second largest country in the world and within it there are small, specific pockets of ultra luxury homes and communities. The Platinum Belt area however is the only one that extends for such a broad, uninterrupted distance. It really is completely unique. As a real estate professional, especially when getting inquiries from international clients there needs to be a way to define this stretch of habitable luxury land in a simple manner. People who don’t live here don’t understand the neighbourhood boundaries, nuances or specific names. It makes it much easier to present them with a visually defined area on a map to help them comprehend what you’re discussing. The next steps would be to explain the different parts of Platinum Belt real estate depending on client needs and specifications.

Why Platinum Belt?

Taking many influences from the Los Angeles real estate market. In Los Angeles there is a region known as the Platinum Triangle. This area, just like the Platinum Belt combines different neighbourhoods into one defined, connected area. The Platinum Triangle is composed of three areas; Bel Air, Holmby Hills and Beverly Hills, these three points being the reason behind the nomenclature. This term has become synonymous with luxury real estate in Los Angeles and is the “unofficial” title used by professionals to reference these areas when speaking to clients and the global audience.

Platinum Belt real estate status

The Platinum Belt also adds brand exclusivity. The Platinum Belt neighbourhoods are some of Canada’s finest places to live. Burlington and Oakville were the only cities within the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) to make the Top 10 List of best cities in Canada for 2014. Amazing architects and designers are also prominent in these areas such as Ferris Rafauli and David Small among others. It is a term which should become more prominent in our real estate vocabulary. Utilizing the Platinum Belt term when speaking with clients allows you to truly give this culmination of good luxury development planning a presentable title. Something that as Canada continues to grow in prestige on the world stage will become known.

Many individuals are already referring to Toronto as the next New York. Oakville is quite reminiscent of that “Beverly Hills lifestyle” and has the amazing estates included. The Platinum Belt is located in what is the most ideal place to live in Canada. It is between twenty to thirty minutes away from Toronto depending on which part of the belt you’re in. The nature, security, amenities and serenity is unmatched. Even Hollywood movies are being filmed in these regions now. Therefore it’s time we embrace our global appearance and define this luxurious region, welcome to the Platinum Belt.

Platinum Belt Media

Host 1:
Ever catch yourself scrolling through those, you know, like luxury real estate listings, the ones with infinity pools overlooking, like the entire coastline?

Host 2:
It’s easy to get lost in those daydreams.

Host 1:
It certainly is. Well, today we’re diving into a real estate concept that takes that whole dream home thing to a whole other level. We’re talking Canada’s Platinum Belt.

Host 2:
Okay.

Host 1:
And we’re dissecting this real estate blog, Platinum Belt Real Estate.

Host 2:
They’ve got some interesting takes on this very specific slice of the luxury market.

Host 1:
And it’s fascinating how this blog really hones in on a very particular clientele. This isn’t just about, you know, big houses. This is about cultivating an aura of, well, exclusivity.

Host 2:
Oh, absolutely. Like they’ve stumbled onto this hidden gem, and they’re giving us a little peek behind the curtain.

Host 1:
But before we get too far, let’s back up a bit. Geographically speaking, what are we even talking about when we say Platinum Belt?

Host 2:
Picture this: prime real estate, right on the shores of Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario—Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington—these are the core cities that, according to this blog, make up this Platinum Belt.

Host 1:
Okay.

Host 2:
And they really emphasize the seamless transition between these cities. It’s like one big, well, luxury corridor.

Host 1:
So less about distinct towns and more about this continuous flow of high-end living.

Host 2:
Exactly. You’ve got Lake Ontario naturally bordering the region to the south, and then major streets like Rebecca and New Street kind of defining that northern edge.

Host 1:
It’s like they’ve literally drawn a line on a map and said, boom, this is it, this is the Platinum Belt.

Host 2:
Pretty much.

Host 1:
I can already see the real estate ads: “Platinum Belt, where million-dollar views meet, uh, million-dollar homes.”

Host 2:
Right. But why even bother giving it this catchy name? Who are they trying to reach with this whole Platinum Belt idea?

Host 1:
That’s where the marketing savvy comes in. They’re addressing a real challenge that a lot of, especially international buyers, face. They might not be familiar with the local geography, the little nuances of each town.

Host 2:
Right. So instead of trying to explain every neighborhood, they’re packaging it all up into this, like, unified concept.

Host 1:
You got it. It’s about creating an identity, something aspirational.

Host 2:
It’s like how Silicon Valley immediately makes you think tech, or the Hamptons equals, like, beachfront mansions. They’re going for that same kind of instant recognition.

Host 1:
Precisely. They even draw a direct comparison to Los Angeles’s Platinum Triangle.

Host 2:
Ah, the land of Beverly Hills.

Host 1:
Mm-hmm.

Host 2:
So they’re aiming high then. They want to be mentioned alongside these global luxury destinations.

Host 1:
Yeah.

Host 2:
But what makes this Canadian Platinum Belt so special? Why even make that comparison?

Host 1:
Well, the blog points to a few factors. For one, having this continuous stretch of luxury properties right there on the lakefront, that’s pretty rare, even in Canada.

Host 2:
It’s like, you know, you’ve made it, but even then, there’s another tier.

Host 1:
Exactly.

Host 2:
And that exclusivity is, well, it’s got to be part of the appeal.

Host 1:
Absolutely.

Host 2:
And then there’s the lifestyle. Burlington, Oakville—they consistently rank really highly on all those best places to live lists.

Host 1:
The blog talks about how renowned architects and designers are everywhere there. So there’s a real sense of a particular aesthetic.

Host 2:
And they even go as far as to compare Oakville to having a Beverly Hills lifestyle.

Host 1:
Right.

Host 2:
Which, I mean, that’s a bold statement.

Host 1:
It is.

Host 2:
What does that even mean—a Beverly Hills lifestyle? Are we talking Lamborghinis in every driveway, or is it more, I don’t know, a little more understated than that?

Host 1:
I think it’s an interesting question because it really speaks to this idea that a certain lifestyle can, I don’t know, transcend just having a lot of expensive things.

Host 2:
Right.

Host 1:
It speaks to a certain level of affluence.

Host 2:
Sure.

Host 1:
But I think more than that, it’s an atmosphere, you know, a culture of exclusivity.

Host 2:
So it’s not just the mansions; it’s the vibe.

Host 1:
Exactly.

Host 2:
But I imagine location plays a huge role too, right?

Host 1:
Oh, absolutely. It’s interesting because while they’re really playing up this idea of secluded luxury, the Platinum Belt isn’t that far outside of Toronto. In fact, the blog actually highlights the proximity to a global hub like that.

Host 2:
But you still have that tranquility, you know, that exclusivity.

Host 1:
It’s like having your cake and eating it too, I guess. You can be in the city, you know, at the opera or whatever, and then zip back to your quiet waterfront.

Host 2:
Right. But let’s be real, calling it the Platinum Belt—that seems pretty intentional.

Host 1:
It does.

Host 2:
Like, they’re really trying to will this luxury brand into existence just by calling it that?

Host 1:
Yeah, and I think you’ve hit the nail on the head because the blog even acknowledges that Platinum Belt is as much about branding as it is about the actual location.

Host 2:
So they’re really trying to, by using this term, elevate the whole area’s, I guess, image for locals and international buyers alike.

Host 1:
It’s amazing what a name can do, you know?

Host 2:
It is.

Host 1:
Like, think about wine.

Host 2:
Yeah, yeah.

Host 1:
You could have a bottle with some fancy French name—

Host 2:
Right.

Host 1:
People think it’s the height of sophistication, even if you know it’s the same grapes as your neighbor’s backyard.

Host 2:
It’s all about perception, isn’t it?

Host 1:
Totally.

Host 2:
Especially with something like this—luxury real estate.

Host 1:
Yeah.

Host 2:
Because Platinum Belt evokes, you know—you think prestige, exclusivity, aspiration.

Host 1:
Right, right.

Host 2:
So they’re crafting a whole narrative around it before a single thing is even built.

Host 1:
It’s like this isn’t just a neighborhood—it’s a whole lifestyle.

Host 2:
Exactly.

Host 1:
And probably a very expensive one.

Host 2:
And a highly sought-after one.

Host 1:
Well, yeah. Because Canada, in general, it’s attracting a lot of attention these days.

Host 2:
I can imagine.

Host 1:
A lot of affluent individuals, families from all over. And I think the Platinum Belt is really trying to capitalize on that trend.

Host 2:
Right. But then doesn’t that kind of—I don’t know—when you hyper-focus on this very specific demographic, are there any consequences of that for everybody else?

Host 1:
Yeah, it’s a really good point. Does it help the surrounding areas, or does it cause more of a divide?

Host 2:
I think that’s an insightful question, and it’s something that there’s not a simple answer to. You could argue that if you have all this wealth and investment concentrated in one area, that can kind of boost everybody up, right? Like, a rising tide lifts all boats.

Host 1:
Yeah, that’s the idea, anyway.

Host 2:
But you could also argue that it just pushes everything else further out of reach, and I think that’s something that a lot of people are struggling with, you know?

Host 1:
Yeah, is it actually going to lift everyone up, or is it just going to create more inequality?

Host 2:
It’s almost like that little saying—location, location, location—but it takes on this whole other meaning when we’re talking about these really exclusive markets.

Host 1:
Yeah, it’s not just about finding a good spot for your dry cleaner anymore.

Host 2:
Exactly. This is next level. It really makes you think about, I don’t know, the impact these kinds of trends have on, well, on everybody.

Host 1:
Absolutely. It’s easy to get swept up in the luxury of it all, but there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface, you know?

Host 2:
Yeah. And I think that’s really important for us to remember. It’s not just about these multimillion-dollar homes. It’s about how these trends actually end up shaping the communities around them.

Host 1:
Yeah, and what that means for everybody who lives there, right?

Host 2:
Exactly. It’s not just about the people who can afford to buy into it.

Host 1:
Right, it’s about the whole ecosystem.

Host 2:
And it makes you wonder too, you know, as these trends continue, what are the long-term effects going to be?

Host 1:
That’s a good question. And I don’t know if we have the answer to that.

Host 2:
I don’t think so—not yet, anyway. But it’s definitely something to keep in mind.

Host 1:
Absolutely. And I think that’s really what we’re trying to do here, you know—get people thinking about these things.

Host 2:
Right. Peel back the layers a little bit.

Host 1:
Exactly.

Host 2:
Because it’s easy to just look at the surface.

Host 1:
It is.

Host 2:
But there’s always more to the story.

Host 1:
And I think that’s what makes these conversations so interesting.

Host 2:
Me too. It’s about looking beyond the obvious and asking those deeper questions.

Host 1:
Well said, well said. And on that note, I think we’ve covered a lot of ground today.

Host 2:
We have.

Host 1:
And given everyone listening, I think, plenty to think about.

Host 2:
I hope so.

Host 1:
Until next time.

Host 2:
Yeah.

Host 1:
Thanks for joining us for another Deep Dive.

Host 2:
It’s been a pleasure.

Craftsman Condos Insights

The Craftsman Condos are located along Lakeshore Rd just east of the popular Clarkson Village, home to the famous Clarkson Pumphouse among other attractions. The Craftsman Condos consist of several buildings with a 4 storey height featuring 299 units. Prices are commencing at the low 300,000’swith units sizes ranging from 605 sqft to 1750 sqft. The interior designs have been assembled by UNION31 offering standard ceiling heights of up to 9 feet. The project is still under construction with many layouts and floorplans still available.

Craftsman Condos Gallery

Craftsman Condos Floorplans

Edgemere Estates

Gardens Of Edgemere

Edgemere Private Residences Insights

Due to the heritage of the entire site and Oakville’s constant efforts to preserve historically significant structures, the Edgemere Estates development took into account to incorporate the old existing structures into the layout of the entire project. Saving the boathouses and designating a portion of the waterfront space for public use are just some of the positive aspects associated with this development. Utilizing underground parking for the 30 luxury condo residences minimizes surface impact. The mature trees have remained untouched and the entire orientation of the buildings allows for a natural feel, incorporating stone, glass and wood to form quality organic architecture. As visible on the provided map, the total area of the Edgemere Private Residences is quite expansive. the buildings themselves are up to 4 storeys tall and the Garden/Terrace luxury condos offer private elevators for access. Prices range from $3,349,000 to over $5,799,000 depending on square footage, finishes and features. As previously mentioned the developer behind the Edgemere Estates is Niche Developments with NAK Designs handling landscaping and Architecture Alliance being the team behind the structure designs.

Edgemere Estates Floorplans

Randall Residences Insights

The Randall Residences were conceived to bring a pocket of ultra luxury to one of the prominent sectors of Downtown Oakville. The intersection of Trafalgar Rd and Randall St is a major connection point within the iconic village. Up until the original announcement for the Randall Residences, this pocket was fairly desolate, although an important strip, it didn’t have an attractive feature of this caliber to occupy the space. The addition of the Randall Residences will help bring energy into this section. The main focal point of Downtown Oakville is the Lakeshore Rd strip, however the potential for northward growth is substantial and the Randall Residences support this by adding both residential units and also street level commercial space. The styling will make it an instantly recognizable landmark within Oakville and will help continue to set the luxurious tone of the town. As is quite obvious upon first impression, the architectural form is inspired from European origins. As with most haute real estate, European architecture still holds the most prominence given its innate, immediate relation to this category of luxury residence.

The Randall Residences are modeled after a popular form of French Parisian architecture known as Beaux-Arts Architecture. During my visit to Copenhagen I had the pleasure of viewing a smorgasbord of varying architectural styles within close proximity to each other. The royal palace there is drawn up using the Rococo style which was immediately followed by the Neoclassical architecture movement. The Beaux-Arts were essentially the “peak” of neoclassical form. This clean and luxurious design collective allows for the use of traditional finishes while crafting an appearance that never goes out of style. The exterior desaturated façade may seem cold given the muted colour, however the concise details bring life and sophisticated appointments to the entire structure. It is the ideal choice of design that crafts a building which blends within natural forms, and any other future constructions that will eventually surround it. The Randall Residences required a timeless design that will always hold up to the grandeur of Oakville, and the Beaux-Arts choice was perfect for achieving this.

The Randall Residences Oakville are the product of two architectural minds who have a record of crafting fine luxury products. The exterior of the Randall Residences was crafted by Richard Wengle Architects and pulled on all of the previously mentioned architectural inspirations to craft the now recognized design. The interior layouts and finishes were conceptualized and brought to life by the design house of Ferris Rafauli, known for developing grand scale ultra luxury estates with an extreme level of detail from the exteriors, furniture and interiors. Ferris took all of these instrumental experiences and incorporated them into a condominium space to bring the grandeur of an estate home into a much smaller space, without losing the scale and luxurious awe associated with his design style. These concepts are brought into physical form through the development powerhouse Rosehaven Homes. Known for the high caliber construction quality, the Platinum division of this company allows for faith in the methods and intricate attention given to proper assembly of the residences. These three individual creative forces have allowed the Randall Residences to benefit from experience, knowledge and a luxury flair that has not been seen so far in a local condominium development.

The Randall Residences provide a unique atmosphere for the residents within. Like any condominium, there are common areas that are shared between all members of the building. Within the Randall Residences the main common focal point is the rooftop terrace. Although the penthouse suites and some of the regular units have outdoor spaces, the communal rooftop patio is a space where the wealthy, common minded residents can congregate. Mingling, meeting and interacting with people of similar financial stature, taste and vision allows for a great and unique dynamic for residents. Most condominium buildings have hundreds of suites but the Randall Residences only have 36 units meaning residents could theoretically know all of their fellow neighbours, forming new friendships and connections that are always valuable in life. The address at 300 Randall St offers underground secured parking for residents and private elevators to the Penthouse suites. Security is of utmost importance and is guaranteed not only by the building itself, but also the general neighbourhood quality of Downtown Oakville. This stunning blend of social potential, location, individual suite grandeur and future value appreciation makes the Randall Residences one of the greatest construction projects to grace the town of Oakville. Concrete statistics for the Randall Residences Oakville include 10 foot ceilings within all suites – the Penthouses come standard with 12 foot ceiling heights. Every unit has two parking spots inclusive in the price and Penthouses have private access personal rooftop terraces that range in size. The units themselves have varying square footage between 1,800 SQFT to over 3000 SQFT. Excavation of the construction site began in October of 2014 with final completion slated for 2017. The duration length is given the sheer amount of time required to craft such an intricate and detail oriented piece of art.

Randall Residences Floorplans

Parklane Residences Townhomes Info

The Parklane Residences in Port Credit are being developed by KobenHavn and were designed by Turner Fleischer Architects. The interior design work was completed by Bryon Patton and Associates. Utilizing clean interior finishes with slight hints of modern urban charm, the luxurious atmosphere is complimented with an air or simplicity and warmth. The exterior uses a perfect example of organic architecture to blend into the surrounding nature and accentuate it with the prominent use of wood and stone façades. Another local luxury townhouse option are the Brightwater Towns which bring functional layouts and modern farmhouse style architecture together for a seamless family oriented real estate option.

Parklane Residences Floorplans

Riparian Rights Vs Simply Waterfront?

Typically riparian rights applied to the shorelines of Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington allow the owners exclusive access in private form to Lake Ontario, access via boat and the ability to erect structures to house marine vehicles and simplify the overall water access process. Having riparian rights requires the property to actually sit against the shores of Lake Ontario. Although many of the luxury properties are considered “waterfront”, they do not actually abut the lake, therefore making the possibility of riparian right ownership impossible. This concept of having lake views from your property but not having direct private access to the lake is quite common among the Platinum Belt municipalities. This is due to the city/town governing bodies wanting to retain public space for all people to enjoy the nature offered in these locales. Therefore having actual riparian rights places you within a very exclusive selection of home owners and in turn increases the value of the property given the rare nature. As shown in the aerial image provided, the homes that have a white space between the body of water and the actual property have lake views but no riparian rights or even direct waterfront access. In this case there is a park between the home and water. This is a common setup, but as exemplified by this image, properties like this are nestled between properties with actual riparian rights (green properties on image). Many home owners along the lake have opted to construct docks or other methods of connecting their marine enjoyment with the convenience and privacy of their backyard.

The Numbers

Within Burlington there are about 157 properties on the lake, in Oakville there are approximately 433 waterfront properties. This number will fluctuate as certain lands are severed or combined. However, out of this number, not all have riparian rights. In the exclusive South East Oakville neighbourhood, there are only about 155 waterfront properties, with even a fewer number offering riparian rights. This means that having riparian rights is definitely a point of increased value, opportunity and overall positivity in land use. A tangent that is also affected is in regards to pools, which are quite common in the luxury home market. In accordance with by-laws, if your property does not directly form a boundary with water and adjacent private land, you need to close off access to your pool (typically via a fence). This is due to safety reasons. Therefore if you have a home that is directly on the water, it allows for the construction of a true infinity pool that seems to be a growing trend. This combined with riparian rights gives the owner complete control over both the use of the land and water within their segment along the lake and a higher sense of privacy. With all these combined outcomes of having riparian land, it is extremely important that you are aware of the presence of these rights when purchasing a lakeside property. This article should shed some basic light as to what riparian rights are, how they affect the Platinum Belt home market and essentially what it means.

Design

Starting from humble beginnings, David Small completed his design education and then jumped right into building homes. Over the years a great team has been formed and a collaboration of various design entities was implemented. Lets begin by looking at what is a perfect fusion of traditional and modern design. The image here shows my favourite David Small Designs home exterior. As you can tell it features stone façades and sloped roofs, but with character and a unique shape which flows naturally.

This David Small Designs home is located in a very exclusive part of the Platinum Belt in Oakville. Its exterior design blends perfectly into the surrounding vegetation and offers a serene setting. However beautiful the exterior is, the true beauty lies in the transition within the interior. This is the key to why I enjoy this firm’s work. Immediately upon setting foot within this spectacular estate the transformation takes place. No longer do you feel the traditional appointments from outside. Instead there is a clean utilization of zebra wood, stone and iterations of a pure contemporary layout. David Small Designs blends these values with certain traditional details, like the arched windows and colour hues that reflect the exterior tones. It really is a marvelous piece of work and I tip my hat to the designers and clients for having such an appealing vision. For the full image portfolio you can head here.

David Small Designs has recently moved into a slightly more contemporary style which echoes inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright. Over the years David Small Designs have really honed their craft and churned out purely original, tasteful results. I suppose it’s partly due to an overall change in taste among people who are in the market for such endeavors. An evolution of an architecture era, the great designers will adjust and follow suite whereas those who are not as fluid in their creative applications will simply be left behind. David Small Designs realized this and put out a project that sealed their membership in the contemporary community.

Process

A home builder of David Small Designs‘ stature needs a respectable abode to call their own residence. David does not disappoint. Fueled by the growing business and success he set out to build something for his family. What’s unique is the entire development was documented and then presented as a sort of “case study”. Usually there’s total privacy and an air of secrecy surrounding these luxury home builds, but David decided to provide full access to the story. People like me get excited about this. The home is very reminiscent of the Fallingwater design and is a prime example of organic architecture. The use of wood, stone and concrete is spectacular and creates something that is completely unique for Mississauga. These are the types of designs which need to become more prevalent in our neighbourhoods. The multi tiered flooring gives depth and accentuation to the whole layout. It provides flavour and emphasizes great lot use. Another sad trend which is becoming terribly common is an unbalanced home to lot size ratio. This David Small Designs home shows what a perfect home/lot ratio looks like.

As you can see from the pictures, the home is simply beautiful. It has sparked inspired clients who now have a visual, physical representation of what David Small Designshas to offer. Very smart move on their part by nailing several goals with a single build. For the full set of images and the design story, head over to the David Small Designs page. The image depicting the home under construction is located in the Platinum Belt and is selling for close to $7,000,000 just to give you an idea of the price ranges we’re looking at.

Transformative

Flipping back to a more traditional project which really shows a drastic difference in styles, we’ll observe a recently sold approximately $4,000,000 project in Lorne Park. The surrounding homes all have similar styles with one having been built by David Small Designs across the street. Therefore the exterior walls and overall atmosphere needed to be cohesive for the intersection. The interior is a whole different story! Just compare the kitchen shot to the outdoor view. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the Copper House by David Small Designs has really shown that two drastically different design palettes can be successfully integrated.

To wrap things up I want to point out a giant estate which was finished recently for a client who wanted a “European inspired” home. The size is approximately 13,000 square feet. The location is up in the Burlington Bluffs, a hidden neighbourhood of exclusive, high-end luxury homes nestled upon Mt Nemo. It is David Small Designs‘ largest construction project and oozes of ostentatious luxury. For full details and David’s personal success story, go ahead and visit the David Small Designs website.

Design

Here are two homes built by Ferris Rafauli located in Oakville. These are general shots and will introduce you to the style which is prevalent in all of his builds. Although most of the Ferris Rafauli works feature a similar palette of exterior finishes, the details and overall layouts are substantially differentiated and particular to each project. We’ll begin with a bit of background. Growing up, Ferris Rafauli came from a family in the construction business and jumped right into the industry. He completed his first home build at the age of 18. From there, the business expanded and now his art pieces cover various luxury neighbourhoods.

The development which initially garnered much attention was built in Burlington. It was constructed as a spec home and sold at the time for the highest price ever paid for a non lake adjacent property within Burlington for approximately $3,400,000. At the time, Burlington was just entering this “renaissance” period with Ferris Rafauli‘s project being one of the forefront investments into the high-end luxury custom home market. This home set precedent for a series of future developments by Ferris Rafauli which would gradually get grander and larger in scale. The plot of land right next door was later developed into a home which although has the signature feel of a Ferris Rafauli built home, is completely different in layout and overall design.

Illustrated here are images of the before and after of the adjacent residence built along this now iconic stretch of Lakeshore Rd in Burlington. As of the writing of this article, a further development across the street is nearing completion alongside the lake. It seems the style influences are garnered from archaic origins but with a flair of in vogue, modern appeal. Every property stands out when viewed alongside its cookie-cutter neighbours. When a project is built by Ferris Rafauli, it not only crafts a work of art within the street, but increases the immediate appeal and sometimes price of the surrounding vicinity homes. Samples of inspiration feature Greek columns, but simplified for today’s more clean appearance. The smooth surface exteriors complement the surrounding greenery in an unexpected way. Each vision is crafted within Ferris Rafauli‘s mind and then drawn out in archetypal form.

Process

The entire design, build process is turnkey and completed in-house. This creates a seamless, streamlined result. You’ll notice in the following images of the same project that there was a change in the logo and styling. As the name and portfolio grew the company did a “rebranding”. The firm has now become a staple of not just beautiful homes, but custom furniture, landscaping and a full blown brand synonymous with the top tier luxury market. Smart move. As always, there are some builders who have taken these branding cues and copied them identically, I won’t mention specific names.

What has also become more prevalent across the world is the use of “O” shaped iron work. This is found in window designs, fences and other pieces. Combined with the square, linear lines it evokes a hint of royal atmosphere, but simplified. This small detail utilized in the correct situation completely changes the presence of the home. Many home builders are now using this styling piece within their projects. Situated to the right is an example of this being used in a Los Angeles concrete contemporary home situated in the Sunset Plaza neighbourhood of the Hollywood Hills.

Transformative

One of my favourite Ferris Rafauli residences is located right in the Morrison Corridor of Oakville and was just recently completed. This development features a clean, modern design while retaining classic Roman influences in both the styling and layouts. The images here show pre and mid construction phases on the Morrison Corridor home which features gloss black finishes for the window framing and doors as well as a large, stately vehicle concourse.

The clientèle for these homes is undoubtedly the upper echelon individuals of society. The construction phase of the home featured below is for the CEO of a famous Canadian beverage company. As much as I love the new contemporary homes which are finally starting to sprout up in our locales, Ferris Rafauli has managed to keep a classical form, but has modernized it. The palatial, Victorian inspired villas which everyone has seen around Beverly Hills and The Bridle Path are personally not my cup of tea. These cleaned up, modernized interpretations however are much more fitting. This is just my personal opinion and viewpoint.

Below is a series of images depicting the transformational construction process of another Ferris Rafauli crown jewel. As you may have also noticed, the size of these homes has gradually increased. Oakville and Burlington have been blessed with stately lot sizes allowing grand construction projects and quite a versatile canvas for designing these behemoths. Ferris Rafauli has always designed both the interior, exterior and landscaping of the homes. Over the years custom furniture was added to the mix as well. The materials and finishes used are as luxurious as the appearance of the homes might hint at. Zebra woods, fine leathers, marble, Caesarstone, the options are limited as your imagination. Interestingly one of the latest grand projects is something completely different.

The Randall Residences are a Parisian inspired condominium development situated in Downtown Oakville. Ferris Rafauli was appointed within the team to handle the interior designs, and they are in tune with what you would expect from one of his grand estates. The format is new and unique being a smaller condominium space, however the elegance and grandeur are just as ubiquitous.

Here’s the kicker, all of this success and achievement has been attained at an early age, Ferris Rafauli as of the writing of this article is still under the age of 40. This further validates the point that passion and true commitment for your craft yields exceedingly substantial and spectacular results. As the level of grandeur and wealth increases within our communities the need for large scale homes has risen. Hats off to Ferris Rafauli for maintaining originality in this mainly washed out environment. I must admit, recently, unique, and daring designs have started appearing which leaves me with hope for our neighbourhoods. This profile is meant to give insight and some background to those who may have driven past some of these “palaces” and wondered what the story is. It is also intended to show appreciation for those individuals who are continuing to push the boundaries and forge a world class collection of homes right here in our backyard. Anyone who is familiar with the Vancouver high end market has seen the brilliance in design out there, why can’t we have that here? Slowly however architects are starting to put together unique projects. Below is an image of one of Ferris Rafauli‘s recent and largest developments located in Mississauga topping off at around 40,000 square feet! To view more information and pictures of interiors/furniture visit Ferris Rafauli’s official website.