The only castle in Kingston, Ont. is for sale at $2.8 million
It’s a chance to own a slice of history in Kingston, Ont., as the city’s only castle is up for sale.
Built more than 150 years ago, "MacIntosh Castle" is on the market for the first time in half a century.
The home at 14 Sydenham St. is on the market for $2.8 million. Royal LePage realtors Marjorie Cooke and Sandy Sheahan list the historic property in Kingston’s Sydenham District
“There’s such an incredible wow factor,” says Sheahan. “When you see it you go, ‘Where did this come from?”
It is a three bedroom, three-floor heritage designated building in the gothic revival style. The building's distinctive tall central tower has stone walls made out of limestone, which the city is famous for.
Called "MacIntosh Castle", it was constructed in the 1850s for Scottish ship owner Donald MacIntosh in an effort to entice his family to move to Kingston from Scotland, promising them a, "Castle with a view of Lake Ontario,” says Bill Youden, a local historian with Kingston Trolly Tours.
Youden explains that the house is technically a "half-castle" due to its size.
It sits in what is now downtown Kingston, beside Queen’s University, blocks from the water.
Inside are century old fixtures, including crystal chandeliers and French windows in the dining room. While in the living room, large mirrors and sconces sit overtop of a grand fireplace.
“It may be a castle but it doesn’t have the coldness, or the vacancy type feeling of big empty halls or big empty wings,” says Sheahan.
Its crowning jewel, the stone tower, is not one you can stand on, but there are enclosed glass ones to enjoy called turrets.
To get to the top look out, to see views of City Park and the Frontenac County Court House, the future owner can use the secret staircase tucked away in the bathroom.
A legend is that one of the ladies of the house used to use these turrets to watch the court proceedings taking place across the street. If that’s not your cup of tea, these days you can certainly use them to take in the 360-degree view.
The well-known building is part of a local tour about the history of the city, and is even featured on haunted walks, but Cooke says potential buyers should not be worried about ghosts roaming these halls.
“We haven’t encountered any,” she laughs. “Knock on wood.”
Living as royalty doesn’t come cheap, at an asking price of $2.8 Million, but those who do place a bid will find a unique place to call home.
“It has its own history, and love that sort of radiates through the building,” says Cooke.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.