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On the southern shore of Lake Simcoe between prestigious Roches Point and Sutton in Ontario, Fifths hire Homes combines luxu­rious living with an unprecedented level of environ­mental responsibility at Eastbourne Estates on the Lake. Setting the benchmark for upscale development in the area, this exclusive community of 30 custom estate homes is nestled on a premier wooded proper­ty, steps from the lake near the mouth of Cook's Bay. Fifthshire's architecturally controlled neighbourhood features gated access and almost 600 feet of shoreline with a private dock. In addition to vistas of lake hori­zons 365 days a year, residents will enjoy the benefits of living in R-2000-certified homes with steel framing.

F'ifthshire partners Joseph Vella and John DiCarlo championed environmentally responsible building practices long before "green" became an industry buzzword. Pifthshire was among the first builders to adopt R-2000 standards for all its new homes and was the first builder in Canada to offer all steel-framed R-2000 homes. "R-2000-certified homes provide own­ers with higher energy efficiency and better indoor air quality," Vella says. "All our homes are certified by the Government of Canada to meet the -stringent R-2000 technical standard, which includes a heat re­covery ventilator to offer better control over humid­ity and ventilation."

The company has also won awards for pioneer­ing all-steel framing in place of wood. Steel results in blemish-free walls and quiet floors, and has fire ­resistant and healthy home qualities. "Steel framing does not twist, warp, rust or support the growth of mould," Vella explains. "It also contains 81.5 per cent recycled materials, plus we recycle the scrap cre­ated during construction, so there is no impact on landfill. This community is situated on a special piece of property, and we feel that resource conservation and sustainability are as important as building excep­tional estate homes."

This locale appeals to city dwellers and baby boomers looking for a luxurious lakeside lifestyle within driv­ing distance to Tor_onto. The community is adjacent to the Eastbourne Golf Club, and only five minutes from The Briars Golf Club. Fifthshire's meticulously detailed homes feature stone and maintenance-free wood siding in keeping with the rural flavour of the area. Two furnished model homes showcase the high level of finishes in these rural retreats, which range from 2,648 to 3,423 square feet and are priced from over $1 million.