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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, May 15, 2015 | 2 Content sponsored by Friday Harbour A Spectacular Success. Friday Harbour residences range from loft condos to three-storey townhomes. NEVER A DULL MOMENT It's likely you'll never run out of things to do at Friday Harbour. But if you crave a change of scene, Innisfil, Barrie and the surrounding area are happy to oblige. Everything from shopping to downhill skiing to horseracing to Casino Rama are within easy reach. And if you love literature, don't miss Orillia, summer home of Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock, and the inspiration for his much-loved classic Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town. There's a Stephen Leacock Museum open year-round, and a Leacock Summer festival in July. Some of the attractions in the region: Active pursuits: tree-trekking and ziplining; bowling; hot air ballooning; horseback riding; rock climbing; go karts and speedways S omething for everyone. That, in a nutshell, is the goal of Friday Harbour's developers -- and they have succeeded spectacularly. Since opening its new Sales Center in Maple, more than 385 families have bought in, prompting the release of Phase 2. First occupancy is scheduled for summer/fall 2016, with full ownership condos and towns available. Located on the shores of Lake Simcoe, less than an hour's drive from Toronto, just south of Barrie, Friday Harbour is Ontario's answer to The Hamptons. Classically chic, but comfortably lowkey, this vibrant all-seasons resort will offer that getaway feeling of "going up to the cottage," but with none of the downsides. No pumps to prime; no mice to dislodge. Just a turnkey transition from city stress to total relaxation. "People will not want to come up here to do work," says Earl Rumm, partner and spokesperson for Friday Harbour. "They'll want to arrive, enjoy all the amenities, then lock and leave, knowing everything will be taken care of. From the minute you park your car, you are there to enjoy the resort." One of the largest resort projects currently under construction in North America, there is nevertheless a pleasant intimacy to Friday Harbour. The residences nestle around a scenic marina, and a lively boardwalk promenade of shops, galleries and restaurants will tie the whole project together. The architectural approach is deliberately simple. "We didn't want the buildings to overshadow the rest," explains Rumm. "In the city, when you build something, you want it to stand out, be noticed. We had a very different design philosophy. We want our buildings to be a backdrop to the spectacular scenery and beauty of the location; to be a complement rather than the main focus. We strived to achieve the goal of architectural simplicity." That simplicity was attained by using "natural-looking materials, a lot of white, a lot of clean lines, a lot of glass -- offering a variety of different resort homes for people to explore." And there's a lot to explore and to love at Friday Harbour. "Our goal is to appeal to all demographics," says Rumm. "We offer possibilities for many different lifestyles." Residences range from hip studio condos to expansive three-storey towns. "There's a lot of choice depending upon price range and lifestyle." If you enjoy being "at the heart of the action, in the middle of everything," the Boardwalk Condos (433 to 1,766 sq. ft.) will be irresistible. A peace-seeking senior or a family with young children might prefer the Harbour Flats (533 to 1,330 sq. ft.), only a 30-second walk from the waterfront, but offering a quieter environment with tranquil green courtyards. Classically chic but comfortably low-key translates from resort to suite interiors. Downhill: This is Southern Ontario's most popular region for downhill skiing and snowboarding, many within 45 minutes of Friday Harbour Shopping: From antique shops to outlet malls to superstores if you need to stock up on supplies Nearby provincial parks offer public beaches, nature trails, wetlands, picnic areas, boat cruises, great places to birdwatch Public parks: Centennial Park (open year round); South Innisfil Arboretum (seasonal) and public beaches are close by; Trans Canada (ThorntonCookstown) Trail features art by local artists and an introduction to the railway system in South Simcoe County over its 9 km History and culture: There are galleries, studios and museums nearby; six theatre and performing arts centres are within a short drive of Friday Harbour Friday Harbour's Sales Centre is located at 10,000 Dufferin St., in Maple, Ontario, at Eagles Nest Golf Club. To find out more, visit: fridayharbourresort.com Call 647-351-0991 or 1-855-351-0991 Friday Harbour offers a turnkey transition from city stress to total relaxation. Need something bigger? The Marina and Island Towns offer grand living environments for those seeking "a more spacious resort home," says Rumm. The Marina Towns, rimming the harbour, are 1,498 ­ 1,823 sq. ft. over two levels with a large deck and a terrace, private two-car garage and a marina boat slip. The three-storey Island Towns (1,993-4,601 sq.ft.) provide bold and innovative designs in a choice of three, four or five-bedroom configurations set on purpose-built fingers of land which jut into the lake. These constitute Friday Harbour's most exclusive resort homes. Interior features and finishes are of the highest calibre, chosen to appeal to a broad range of tastes. Every home will benefit from 10-foot ceilings and full walls of windows, with lots of associated light. Residents and guests will never be bored. There are tennis courts, badminton, croquet and just about every imaginable watersport. There's even a boatshare program, for those seeking an introduction to this most enjoyable pastime. The exclusive Lake Club offers residents a Wellness Spa, business centre, Kids' Zone and swimming pool. Although everything is within walking distance, a community shuttle will link the different areas of the resort. "Once you arrive at Friday Harbour and park your car, you'll be able to easily get around the resort without it," says Rumm. "Your resort home is a place for you to rest your head at the end of a fun-filled day."