Relaxation and recreation are beautifully balanced at Villa Bella Vita in High Point Estates
Words Lisa Manfield X Photography Julian Plimley
It’s every equestrian’s dream: to live alongside their prized ponies in a home with built-in boarding, and designed for easy access to equestrian activities in a community where the horse life is held in high esteem. Villa Bella Vita, a stunning 13,289-square-foot home in South Langley’s High Point Estates, offers just that, but its appeal goes far beyond the pasture.
With resort-style aesthetics and amenities, attention to comfort and style, and purpose-built entertainment and recreational spaces, this eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom villa is truly built for the good life. With all the makings of a luxury hotel—a mixture of open spaces and cosy enclaves, opulent design details and all-season amenities—it makes the most of the two-acre expanse of rolling pastures and trails that extend throughout the property.
Built in 2009 and designed by its original owners in collaboration with the homebuilder, Villa Bella Vita’s French country facade and spa-inspired interior bring a distinct hospitality feel to a home that is at once large and remarkably livable.
Its grand double-door entrance and groin-vaulted ceilings lead to a main entryway with candle-laid walls that imbue an immediate sense of relaxation. Designed for entertaining and hosting family and friends, the home offers numerous private suites, a chef’s kitchen, wine room and bar, a media room, and extensive recreational facilities, including a covered outdoor sports court and more than 5,000 square feet of outdoor living space. Nearly every room is designed for entertaining—even the barn, which has been converted into a dining room for elegant country-style parties.
Priced at $7.2 million, this property is a rare gem for someone in search of a space that facilitates a multitude of experiences at once—and all that country living has to offer.
Open house, private views
Set well beyond street view, the home’s driveway leads to a magnificent entranceway. To the left, an architectural portico opens onto an inner courtyard; to the right, the road continues on to a service area and the barn.
The cobblestoned courtyard, designed like a European hotel entrance, is encircled with sculpted landscaping. Twinkling white lights illuminate this area at night, while gentle music guides visitors toward the main entrance.
Opposite the portico sits a quaint and tidy barn with three stalls, keeping trusty steeds within easy access of the main residence for quick visits, easy feeds and anytime trots.
The home’s arched entranceway, created more for lingering than quickly passing through, feels cathedral-like. Custom-designed benches on either side allow the breezy space to be turned into a reception area or a Moroccan tea room for tea parties or cocktails.
On the main floor, a cosy library draped in dark walnut wood cabinets and wire brushed, six-inch plank wood flooring (which extends throughout the entire house) offers a cosy place to read or work, with a custom-built concrete fireplace for cooler days, and a view of the private pasture beyond. An inset ceiling adds visual interest.
The big, bright kitchen is an entertainer’s dream, with its nine-foot-plus marble island, double dishwashers, oversized stainless steel fridge, inset coffee machine and eye-catching chandelier by Moooi.
Just off the kitchen, a large living room is anchored at one end with a classic fireplace, and at the other end, with a large feature wall perfect for displaying art or family photos. Bright white walls play in contrast with the dark wood cabinetry and window casings.
At the far end of the living room, three large arched glass doors open onto the outdoor living space. A fireplace, sunken fire pit and hot tub offer multiple warming options, with another seating area and fireplace beyond providing ample space to enjoy the view while relaxing with guests. Bursting with wisteria and beautifully landscaped spaces, you can almost imagine you’re in Tuscany.
Back inside, dark panelled walls bring an air of gravity to the dining room, while ample storage and display space make formal entertaining a breeze.
A spiral staircase, vibrantly lit with dew-drop chandelier lighting, leads up to a large master bedroom with vaulted 22-foot ceilings, lots of natural light and a view of the pasture. A wall-inset fireplace functions as fiery art and an easily accessible walk-in closet is tucked around behind the bed.
All four bedrooms on the upper floor feature adjoining bathrooms, with a stunning master ensuite that is bright, beautiful, and enticingly tough to leave with its built-in TV and coffee machine. Steam showers and his and hers sinks round out the experience.
An entire wing of the upper floor is dedicated to kids’ rooms, with its own shared living room perfect for playtime, quiet reading or watching TV.
A multifunctional media room can do double duty for movie nights or casual long-table dinners. A bar set up with fridge and freezer, dishwasher and microwave make anytime snacks and drinks a snap.
And downstairs, a large indoor fitness room connects to the covered outdoor sport court, perfect for hockey, basketball or impromptu play, and it’s also fully piped for a future swimming pool.
Skylights on the decks and sports courts bring in maximum natural light to help stabilize circadian rhythms, while geothermal heating and a UVA water filtration system cater to environmental sensibilities, and round out the timeless design.
A “neigh’-bourhood” like no other
There’s something to be said for the sense of balance that comes from fostering a strong connection to the community and to nature, and Villa Bella Vita achieves both.
As High Point quickly becomes the Southlands of the Fraser Valley, its close-knit community of horse enthusiasts, community equestrian facilities and numerous trails and parklands have come together to facilitate an active way of life that is enabling more and more families to enjoy time together in nature and in homes that reflect a closer connection to the earth.
It’s a good life, indeed.
Down to a fine art