PHOTOS: Hamilton castle captures imaginations for generations and now it’s for sale
Published February 12, 2021 at 8:33 am
Hamilton’s Ravenscliffe Castle has captured imaginations for generations and now the city is abuzz with the news that the massive single-family home is once again on the market.
For a heart-stopping $8,888,888 this three-storey estate with 12 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, eight fireplaces and more than 12,000 square feet of living space could be yours.
According to the property’s listing agent, the number eight is believed to bring luck in some cultures, which is why the owners settled on this asking price.
It’s a paltry amount when you consider that the home, that doesn’t have a heritage designation, is perhaps one of the more historically significant structures in the city.
The home was built in 1881 by renowned architect, James Balfour, in whose imagination The Scottish Rite and Old City Hall were born.
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In its 140-year history, this inner-city castle has remained a single-family home to some of Hamilton’s most prominent families.
The current owners, who have connections in construction and property management, purchased the property in 2015 and have since invested a considerable amount of money, time, sweat and tears into making it a modern and luxurious home that pays homage to its history.
“[Ravenscliffe castle] has been lovingly cared for and restored,” said Robert Cekan, the property’s listing agent and broker, at Ambitious Realty Advisors Inc.
Cekan noted that since the property lacks a heritage designation, the current family that owns it were able to add some of the modern amenities while maintaining the heritage of the estate.
“As it stands, it far exceeds the current family’s needs,” he said.
For Cekan, getting the chance to list a property like this has been nothing short of a dream come true.
The self-professed ‘Hamilton nerd’ said that it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to get up close and personal with a property that he is already so familiar with and is so unique to the city he loves.
“You’re just awestruck,” he said. “Every time I get to take someone through it is always a pleasure.”
What struck him most when he first walked through the house, Cekan said, was its grandness and the incredible care that went into its original features and the functionality of the castle of a family home — something not commonly seen in 19th Century homes.
“It’s surprisingly bright and feels very homey,” he said. “Which is something that people who have gone through it have appreciated.
“Big homes today are not always practical and this was set up to be a home for a large family.”
So while the price tag might put Hamilton’s castle out of reach for most people, Cekan and his crew have shared a number of striking photos and videos of the property to give city residents a glimpse into the heart of the home that’s captured all our imaginations at one time or another.
In addition to the above photos and videos, Ravenscliffe Castle even has its own social media presence. Daily updates on the property and its history are available on its Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok accounts.
All photos, video courtesy Robert Cekan, Broker, Ambitious Realty Advisors Inc.
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