Sleep in a 160-Year-Old Gothic Farmhouse in Mahone Bay This Summer
MAHONE BAY — Businesses across Nova Scotia are getting ready for a busy tourism season. And while many visitors will be stopping in Halifax, the picturesque rural areas of the province will be flooded with sightseers as well.
Kerry Lynch, an experienced developer in Halifax, wants to give them a place to stay in the beautiful town of Mahone Bay. Lynch is busy putting the finishing touches on Black Forest Retreat, which is located at the intersection of the Bay to Bay trail and Main Street.
Lynch says those who stay at the Black Forest Retreat will be near plenty of amenities that are perfect for tourists and visitors, such as the newly opened Sensea Spa as well as walking and biking trails. Lynch hopes to open the retreat in June or July.
The retreat will have eight newly built cabins and will contain a special feature that will allow you to experience the area’s natural beauty from the safety of a warm cabin.
“We’re exposing all of the wood in the ceiling rafters and installing skylights so that when you’re in bed, you can look up and see through the trees,” explained Lynch. “It’s pretty cool.”
But the centerpiece of this retreat is a restored gothic-style farmhouse called Spruce Top Cottage that was first built in the mid-1800s. Anyone who enjoys staying in older, historic buildings will be lucky to sleep in this one. Don’t worry though, despite being an old “gothic” farmhouse, there’s no records of it being haunted.
“I’m sure there’s some noises here and there, but I’m not sure it’s haunted,” Lynch joked.
Restoring a centuries-old house is never easy but Lynch has a lot of experience in that field. His father Andy was an architect and Lynch has been involved in restoration of historic properties for more than 20 years. One of the biggest challenges with older homes is that, by today’s standards, they weren’t built with energy efficiency in mind.
“With my background, having grown up in provincially registered heritage properties and my father being an architect, it can lend itself well to this kind of work. It’s about maintaining the character of the property and giving it new life,” said Lynch.
“A lot of the older homes were very well constructed and they were meant to breathe, so there’s very little insulation on the walls. You look at the heating system to try and modernize it. And people expect modern amenities like new appliances, kitchens, and bathrooms. You’re doing all this work to maintain as much of the character as possible while modernizing the structure as best you can.”
Lynch decided to build his retreat in Mahone Bay because of the demand for lodging that happens in the South Shore each summer. The developer noticed that, outside of some Bed and Breakfasts, there isn’t much variety for tourists to choose from.
“In the summertime on the South Shore, it becomes a bit of a gong show,” said Lynch. “It’s really busy and right now there’s nowhere to stay in Mahone Bay. There’s a few BnBs, but not everybody wants to eat breakfast with a group of strangers and share a bathroom. So, we’re filling the void for those travelers who want something that’s stand-alone and upscale.”
For those looking for a place to stay in Halifax, Lynch is also doing some upgrades to his Boutique Hotel on Agricola Street in the North End of Halifax, called Brewery Park. Lynch opened Brewery Park during the pandemic in 2020; last year, he doubled the number of suites from 8 to 16. Lynch designed the 16 suites himself with a Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic.
Even though the original building is only two years old, Brewery Park is getting a new paint job, some new furniture, and new textiles. Lynch says you can never rest on your laurels.
“You’re always having to reinvent yourself in the hotel and food and beverage industry,” he states.
An attitude that embraces change is especially important over the past three years. Trying to construct Brewery Park during the pandemic forced Lynch to adapt. With public health restrictions, labour shortages, and supply chain issues, a developer must be quick on their feet.
“You must be twice as good at your job. You must plan better. Your financing must be more structured and detailed. You must search harder for labour. Construction has to move forward; if you can’t find the right materials at the right price, and you have to find alternatives.”
Although Lynch is currently focused on his tourism properties, he also has experience in the residential sector. He specializes in “invisible density;” projects that infill a neighburhood with more housing without drastically changing how the area looks or feels.
A few years ago, Lynch and his father were involved with Stanley Street Homes project using this approach. The project added eight two-story houses using four vacant lots in the neighbourhood.
The project won a series of awards, including the 2019 Mayor’s Prize in Architecture. On top of that, it was while working on the Stanley Street project where Lynch got the idea to build Brewery Park.
“I would walk to the job site on Stanley Street every day and pass by the vacant lot on the corner of Agricola and think somebody should do something with them,” recalled Lynch. “I found out who the owner was and ended up purchasing the lot and getting a lot next to it as well.”
Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].