The dream for many is to escape the city and nestle in a waterfront abode somewhere remote enough to enjoy nature without losing many of the perks afforded by the city. Today we’re going to look at a home fresh on the market that certainly satisfies that itch all the while being surrounded by the Canadian outdoors at every turn. Cowichan Lake is located on Vancouver Island at the very western edge of Canada, and is home to a few small communities that really don’t want others to know just how amazing it is.

On the northern end of the lake you’ll find the town of Youbou which boasts a handful of homes, a few parks and a sprinkling of restaurants. Out here, you are completely surrounded by the lush west coast rainforest and an abundance of lakes and rivers just about every direction you go. Needless to say, it’s the ideal place to call home away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the luxury perks mother nature has to give.



Photo Credit: RAINFXREST

While there are lakefront homes dotting the beachfront, there are not many that come close to this shining example of west coast contemporary living. Located on the most northern community on Lake Cowichan, this home sits at the waters edge in Youbou fitted with its own dock and strip of private beach to enjoy all year round. From here you can go swimming, launch your boat or kayaks or just pull up the chairs and cast a fishing line without much effort at all.

This modern home was built to take full advantage of those lake views, and that’s why you’ll find floor to ceiling windows on every level. Whether you’re entertaining family and friends or waking up from your master bedroom, everyone gets to enjoy the view as well as an abundance of natural light. The landscaping is perfectly situated on the half-acre property to allow for absolute privacy thanks to the surrounding rainforest.

Step inside the home and you’ll find a very modern interior that provides both a comfortable cabin on the lake feel, as well as a sophisticated design with a handful of unique touches. The home itself is just over 3,600 square feet and features four large bedrooms and five total bathrooms throughout. You can relax and take in the view from the spacious living room, or head on down to the theatre room with the family and take in a movie without having to go out.

While the outside offers an abundance of entertainment options, inside you’ll find a chef inspired kitchen that’s fitted with a 36-inch gas cooktop, double ovens and a built-in Miele coffee maker. From the kitchen it flows right into the dining and living room area all backed by a wall of those floor to ceiling windows. That backdrop makes for a beautiful setting and right in the middle is a three sided see-through fireplace providing extra ambience.

Downstairs offers a plethora of entertainment options including a recreation room, another family room and even a kitchenette in case the need for snacking arises. It also is helpful as you can stroll right out onto the patio which has both covered and uncovered sections so you can enjoy the outdoors no matter the weater. Lake Cowichan is known for some of the best weather in the country so enjoying the outdoors is a central design feature of this modern home.

The patio is perfect for dining al fresco, enjoying a night under the stars in the hot tub or firing up the BBQ as there is a gas line hookup. The 300-bottle wine room also makes it easy to store a year’s supply, and if you didn’t already know, the Cowichan region is teeming with world-class wineries including my favorite Unsworth Vineyards.

Being this remote also requires a bit of “off the grid” preparedness and I’m happy to say this home has a 14kw back-up generator just in case the power goes out. The home also has radiant heating but the southern exposure lets in so much natural light and warmth from the sun that it’s not often needed. This part of the country doesn’t get that cold, we rarely get snow and the winters are quite short, which is why this is one of the best lakefront homes on the market in the nation.

This home has recently been listed on the market for $2,198,000 CAD with Brian Danyliw of The Agency BC. The Los Angeles based company has recently launched in Canada and has been making waves out here in my neck of the woods, and this listing is a real gem. It is easily one of the finest homes in this part of the country, and a great escape from the city life so many of us out here are trying to achieve.