The glitterati might walk red carpets in Cannes and sip champagne in Malibu, but when the flashbulbs fade and the call for quiet comes knocking, more than a few of the ultra-famous retreat to an unlikely paradise: Canada’s serene waterfront properties.
From the tree-drenched edges of British Columbia to the sparkling lakes of Ontario’s cottage country, celebrities are increasingly choosing the Great White North as their sanctuary. But these aren’t your average cabins with creaky floorboards and mismatched deck chairs. No, these are multi-million-dollar masterpieces, complete with heated infinity pools, private docks, helipads, and views that practically whisper, “you’ve made it.”
Why Canada? Privacy, Beauty, and a Touch of Mystery
There’s something undeniably magnetic about Canada’s untouched landscapes — the kind that feels like it’s breathing with a slower, steadier rhythm. For celebrities, it’s the rare combination of seclusion and sophistication. Unlike the paparazzi-flanked streets of LA or the buzz of the Hamptons, the Canadian wilderness offers space — and quiet — in abundance.
You might not see a starlet’s Instagram tag geotagged “Lake Muskoka” — but rest assured, the elite are there. Think: Scarlett Johansson on a pontoon boat, or Ryan Reynolds kicking back in flannel with a local brew (he’s Canadian, after all). These lakeside escapes are where the red carpet rolls up and a canoe quietly slips into the morning mist.
Real Estate Fit for the Spotlight
So, what exactly does a celebrity-level lakeside home in Canada look like?
Enter the realm of ultra-luxe waterfront cottages — an oxymoron in name, perhaps, but not in design. We’re talking:
- Stone fireplaces big enough to host a whole forest’s worth of wood
- Chef’s kitchens with panoramic windows
- Multi-level boathouses with cocktail bars
- Designer interiors blending rustic and high-fashion aesthetics
Take this Waterfront 4-Season Cottage in Ontario — the kind of listing that reads less like real estate and more like a film set. Nestled into the landscape like it grew there, this stunner is a perfect example of how Canadian architecture has evolved to seduce the rich and private.
Curated by HomesEh, one of Canada’s rising real estate platforms, the property mixes woodsy charm with white-glove elegance. It’s the kind of place where a pop star might pen their next platinum hit while staring out over a misty bay, or where a Hollywood director might storyboard their next epic beside a crackling stone hearth.
Who’s Buying? A-Listers with a Taste for the Understated
While exact addresses are guarded like state secrets, some names have quietly leaked into the public sphere.
- Justin Bieber reportedly owns property in Ontario’s Puslinch Lake region, not far from where he grew up.
- Catherine O’Hara, of Schitt’s Creek fame, is known to vacation quietly near Muskoka.
- Drake famously dubbed his Toronto mansion “The Embassy,” but rumor has it he’s eyeing waterfront property for those off-grid escapes.
Many of these stars are choosing Ontario’s cottage country, specifically regions like Muskoka, Kawartha Lakes, and Georgian Bay — areas long considered “old money” playgrounds, now reinvigorated by contemporary design and tech-rich amenities.
A Real Estate Boom Wrapped in Pine and Granite
While Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto have long attracted global luxury buyers, the pandemic-era shift to remote work and a desire for natural beauty sparked a boom in rural and lakeside real estate. Prices soared. Demand outpaced supply. Suddenly, listings that might’ve taken months to move were being snapped up within days — often sight unseen.
Real estate agents now report increased international interest, especially from American and European buyers looking for escape valves from urban intensity. The common thread? These buyers want:
- Privacy
- Nature
- Luxury
- And just enough Wi-Fi to call into a board meeting — or stream Netflix in 4K
Design Trends in Celebrity Cottages
Gone are the days when a “cottage” meant roughing it. Today’s high-end lake homes are a blend of natural aesthetics and tech-forward living.
Some trends we’re seeing in celebrity-owned properties:
- “Barely There” Architecture: Homes designed to disappear into their environment — think floor-to-ceiling windows and green roofs.
- Earth-Toned Minimalism: Interiors inspired by the landscape — slate, cedar, wool, stone.
- Indoor-Outdoor Blending: Retractable walls, open-air dining, outdoor kitchens, and spa decks.
- Private Wellness Spaces: Cold plunges, infrared saunas, yoga pavilions.
In essence, these retreats are temples of calm, engineered to soothe overbooked minds and tired souls.
Why the World is Just Now Catching On
Despite its natural majesty, Canada has long flown under the radar in luxury real estate conversations. Blame the modest national temperament, or perhaps the quietly gated drives and dense trees that shield these estates from drone-happy tabloids.
But as climate concerns, political instability, and work-from-anywhere mindsets continue to shift global priorities, Canada is stepping forward as a luxury destination not just for vacation — but for lifestyle.
The HomesEh platform has seen an uptick in global searches for waterfront property, particularly those that tick the boxes of privacy, permanence, and all-season usability. Their listings — from Muskoka gems to British Columbia retreats — reveal just how diverse the Canadian luxury market really is.
So, What’s It Like to Wake Up Here?
Imagine this:
You rise with the sun, filtered through pine boughs and lake mist. You pad across heated stone floors, coffee steaming in hand, and step outside to a cedar-wrapped deck where the lake mirrors the sky. A loon calls. Somewhere inside, Billie Eilish’s voice floats from a recessed Sonos speaker. You’ve got nowhere to be — and everything you need is already here.
That’s not just a daydream. That’s life for the few who’ve tapped into Canada’s lakeside royalty — the secret club of creatives, power-players, and peace-seekers who’ve found home where the water meets the wild.
Read about more celebrities’ homes
Joel Osteen House
Andre Hakkak House
Lil Boosie house
Morgan Wallen House
Elon Musk House