Historic Lakefront Living In Kingsville

If you listen carefully, you may hear strains of "The Mettawas Waltz" (from the former Hotel of the same name) wafting across the waterfront, where the new "Mettawas on the Beach" townhomes are located. The last vestiges of the glory days of the grand hotel and casino, envisioned by whiskey magnate, Hiram Walker, and designed by Detroit architects, Mason and Rice, were destroyed in a fire in 2000. But the memory lives on, thanks to Ali Fayaz, co-owner of Windsor-based Peaco Construction.

Native grasses and colourful potted plants enhance the natural beauty provided by the shoreline. Owners can landscape their units to their own preferences.

Fayaz's new development is slated to include 31 Cape Cod and ranch-style freehold townhomes, ranging in size from 1,200 to 2,800 sq. ft. Nine of the two-storey homes have been completed and seven sold. The next phase of the project will be construction of hillside, ranch-style townhomes, strategically situated to enjoy the lake view.

Proud of obtaining this historic property in 2004, Fayaz's company is the sole owner. Conscious of the legacy (the lakefront townhomes are on the site of the Mettawas Casino), Fayaz has retained most of the natural surroundings. The grounds boast an unsurpassed view of Lake Erie, the docks, and a luxurious green area. Ever the environmentalist, Fayez's future plans focus on renewable energy. But his "green" tendencies are not just concentrated on construction projects. During the first phase of this project, Fayaz went out of his way to ensure that a family of groundhogs was not displaced from their home.

Fayaz and his wife, Nejla Horasan, are the proverbial dynamic duo behind the townhomes. He is the project manager, and she, a real estate agent. Horasan styled the model townhome with modern accents and colours to create a serene atmosphere for the open-concept ground-floor kitchen, dining room and great room (furniture and artwork: Phoenix Home & Garden). Fayaz says that each unit is unique, and nothing is "sacred in the design process", so prospective owners are welcome to customize to their heart's content.

The stainless steel appliances, walnut cabinets, granite countertops and stone backsplash in the model home create an ambience that is modern, yet warm.

"Everything you need is on one floor", says Fayaz. All of the units have an en suite master bedroom and a laundry room on the first floor, which is positioned "off the garage so it can double as a mudroom." As well, all homes feature a double garage that functions with quiet-open doors (Wayne Dalton Kinnear Garage Doors). Decorative, stamped concrete driveways (Alex DelBrocco, Masonry & Cement) complete the buildings in the cul de sac. Fayaz says that building the initial townhomes on a cul de sac was "unique and challenging to design, while still keeping the development functional with multiple roof pitches."

Horasan says they did not gear the townhomes to a specific market, but they "turned out to appeal to baby boomers." The model townhome features custom walnut kitchen cabinetry with dental crown moulding (Superior Cabinet), complemented by granite countertops (Dimanti Stone Works) and a stone backsplash (Palazzi Granite & Tile). Unique Konya stone flooring in the kitchen, from Turkey, and oak flooring in the great room, were also provided by Palazzi. Modern lighting (Re-Lighting, Amherstburg) lends an open, airy feel. Decorative wall sconces (Plaza Ontario Marble & Tile Inc.) in the dining room and on either side of the moulded gas fireplace (Fireplaces by Mario Inc.) add interest to the modern décor. A second floor open gallery, corralled by wood and wrought iron, hovers above the great room.

Cool celadon walls, spanning two floors, with windows top to bottom, fill the unit with light all day long.

These townhomes offer maintenance-free living. Earth-toned brick, (Patene Building Supply), composite mock cedar siding, and 30-year shingles (both from Tamar Building Products) are complemented by generous Jeldwen windows that bring the breathtaking view inside. All homes have beach access.

It is this lovely view, as well as the proximity to the lake, that drew Larry and Wendy Bebee to the Mettawas townhomes. Wendy spent two summers in Kingsville when she was a teenager, and wanted to experience lakefront living in the town she now calls home. The beach is where she and Larry "go...and relax" after a long day at work. She is also charmed by the amenities that Kingsville has to offer, all within walking distance of the Mettawas.

When the Bebees chose their townhome, they were very impressed that Fayaz promptly answered their design concerns, and "was willing to do anything" they suggested. Wendy says they changed quite a few things on the upper floor to customize the home to their needs.

In contrast to the model unit, the Bebees chose a more traditional look for their kitchen. Antique-style white cabinetry and wrought iron stools provide a lovely counterpoint to the stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.

The Bebees positioned a lounge sofa (Coulter's Furniture) in front of a window off the upper floor gallery, fenced by etched-glass panels (Wayne Legge Glass). Wendy says this is where they spend a great deal of their time, enjoying the panoramic view of the lake.

Downstairs, they opted for Benjamin Moore's North Hampton Putty on their walls and a tranquil earth-tone palette for their home furnishings. Their great room and dining room furniture was chosen with the help of Maria Kozmer from Coulter's, who also helped coordinate tiles and flooring (Palazzi). Antique white kitchen cabinetry (Better Made Cabinets) sets the tone for the custom kitchen, which boasts Kitchen Aid appliances (The Lighting Boutique) and contrasting dark granite countertops (Palazzi).

The Bebees had Fayaz relocate the fireplace from its original location, so they could take full advantage of the view from their patio doors. Wendy Bebee has produced a coffee table book of photographs showcasing the natural beauty she sees from her window.

An impressive feature, which anchors the great room and dining room, is a beautifully constructed Virginia natural ledgestone (Patene Building Supplies Ltd.) gas fireplace (Fireplaces by Mario). Tri-paneled artwork (Art Expressions) and a stunning three-tiered descending candelabra (Lighting Boutique) accent the dining room. The en suite bedroom is truly a "room with a view" (window coverings: Hunter Douglas, Brochert Drapery), and includes a walk-in closet and luxuriously appointed bathroom (floor: Palazzi, fixtures: Veteran Plumbing & Supplies Ltd.)

Behind each townhome, Fayaz provides a 20' x 20' concrete pad. Landscaping is up to each owner. Some, like the Bebees, hire professionals (Munger Landscaping), while others prefer a hands-on approach. The Bebees installed remote-controlled awnings (Windsor Tent & Awning) on their back porch to complete the exterior.

Fayaz has truly maintained the tradition set by the Mettawas Hotel, which, in its day was described as "an architectural beauty," designed around the "natural beauty of a sandy beach" and "pleasant surroundings".