A luxurious Orillia home has caught the attention of an A&E crew.
Orillia resident Eric Carman was recently contacted by representatives of the show Lakefront Luxury about his home on Cedar Island Road, which is listed for sale.
“I guess they were looking for a home on the water in this area for this episode,” said Carman.
Each episode of the show features a couple looking for a luxurious lakefront home in a certain area. They are shown three homes and then invited to choose one to make an offer on.
“They had a home in Muskoka and one near Huntsville, I believe, and then they wanted one listed for over $1 million in this area and chose mine,” said Carman.
His house on Cedar Island Road is a contemporary-style home, which features water on two sides. It has a waterfall in the front garden, lakeside patios and decks, panoramic water views from the great room, and the games room on the second floor. It was built 15 years ago.
“My wife and I were living in Sophie’s Landing at the time,” recalled Carman, who is 95 years old. “I had noticed this home being built when I had driven by, and stopped to talk to the builder, who also designed the home. I just really liked the look of it; it was so different and so striking. I asked him if it was for sale, but he said he was building it for himself. He had moved up here to be closer to his mother, who was getting older.”
The builder’s mother died within the year. After that, the builder spotted Carman driving by again and asked him if he was still interested in purchasing the house.
“I said, ‘I sure am,’ and we made the deal,” said Carman. “I just love this house.”
Carman’s journey to Orillia was a long and winding one, beginning in Yorkshire, England. After time in Hong Kong and elsewhere, he settled in Goderich, where he and his wife raised a large family and where Carman was a freelance photographer. Eventually, he expanded his business and opened a camera store, which grew to 18 stores throughout southwestern Ontario.
“I loved boating, though,” said Carman, “but the lake there is so rough and, really, I worked seven days a week, so it was hard to get out on a boat.”
His love for boating eventually led him to retire and move to Lagoon City, where he changed his mind and bought a marina — McGregor Marina. After selling the marina, he and his wife moved to Sophie’s Landing, and then Cedar Island.
Carman and his wife have made no changes to the house in the 14 years they have been there.
“There’s a nice big bedroom and ensuite on the first floor. The laundry is right there, too. There’s a garage, and the location can’t be beat,” said Carman. “We have enjoyed every minute in this house, and in Orillia.”
Carman’s wife had to be moved to a local nursing home, and Carman has decided to relocate to be closer to her, which is why the house is on the market.
“I don’t know how much longer I will be driving, so it seemed smart to move to where I can walk to see her,” he said. “We have been married for 73 years. I go and visit her twice a day.”
A&E filmed the episode with Carman’s house on Tuesday and it will air sometime in 2025.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how they film it and what it will look like,” mused Carman. “It’s not something I ever thought I would be involved in.”
He was asked to vacate the house for the day of filming, which was to begin at 7 a.m. with drone footage of the outside of the house and then continue until 7 p.m.
Carman’s three-bedroom, three-bathroom contemporary waterfront home on Cedar Island Road is currently listed for $2.39 million.
