With over $40 million in sales during the opening weekend, it would seem that Friday Harbour Resort on Lake Simcoe is the right idea at the right time, and in the right place. The sales office, located at 49 Wellington Street East, is seeing a lot of traffic from Torontonians who want to head north — without the traffic.

Aerial view of Friday Harbour, image courtesy of Geranium Corporation

After 10 years of planning, construction of Friday Harbour is underway with the excavation of the marina basin and fill of the golf course. Developed by Geranium Corporation and Re:play Resorts, the resort will include an 18-hole Doug Carrick designed championship golf course, a 200-acre nature preserve, a vibrant marina village and up to 1,000-slip marina. And all this only one hour north of Toronto, and accessible by GO Train.

Excavation of marina, courtesy of Geranium Corporation

The Marina residences at Friday Harbour, designed by New Urbanist planners and architects DPZ & Co, promise to offer a modern take on cottage living. The boardwalk condos, with retail at the ground floor mimick European-style harbour villages. Other amenities include the Lake Club, complete with pools, spa, sports centre, restaurant and more.

Marina residences, rendering courtesy of Geranium Corporation

Lake Club, rendering courtesy of Geranium Corporation

If the launch of Friday Harbour Resort sales is any indication, the real estate market might be going through a slight correction in Toronto, but not so for recreational properties as city dwellers seek an escape, to the nearby shores of Lake Simcoe and a "cottage" close to home.