Property Information
Are you a horse lover?
Do you like to entertain guests?
This very unique property, located a few kilometers northwest of Airdrie, is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a masterfully crafted 11,900-sq. ft. palatial-like mansion with several rentable condos, exceptional equestrian facilities on 160 acres that was once owned by a German aristocrat who left an interesting, historic landmark in this region of Calgary.
The Canadiana Properties, as this property is called, was originally built for Baron Carlo Von Maffei, a horse aficionado who purchased large tracts of land in the Calgary region after arriving in city from Ontario in the mid-1960s. He started out purchasing property for a farm in Braeside before locating to the Airdrie property in 1974 where he raised cattle and horses. He also purchased a property in Beiseker where he grew wheat, barley and oats.
The Canadiana Equestrian Centre was perfect for the Baron’s elite horse operation. The three barns on the property – home to an indoor arena, foaling barn and stabling barn – reflect the solid concrete wall construction found in Kentucky and European horse farms that the Baron was fond of. Built over 35 years ago, the barns, which include multiple stalls, tack rooms, vet treatment areas, horse washing stations, grooming areas and feed storage, remain in excellent shape and the property is fenced with multiple paddocks and two outdoor rings for show jumping and dressage.
The Baron usually had 35 to 40 thoroughbreds, with about 15 being brood mares, stabled at the centre with much of the breeding done in Kentucky that produced very good bloodlines. In fact, proof of the elite horses he raised was at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Alberta division sale in 1979 at Spruce Meadows where he sold a yearling for $108,000, which is still the highest anyone has paid for a yearling in Alberta. He also raced his horses in Ontario, Florida and California.
Although his interests were mostly in horses and land purchases, the Baron was also a smart businessman and joined Harley Hotchkiss (one of the original Calgary Flames owners who helped bring the NHL team to Calgary) as business partners in Sabre Petroleum.
Often described as colourful, flamboyant and eccentric, the Baron was actually a private person who shied away from the public eye. He left a legacy surrounding his grandeur lifestyle, as evidenced from European royalty, dignitaries as well as key government officials that were all entertained at the Canadiana Mansion. This opulent and regal 11,900 sq. ft. bungalow has a fully developed basement that brings the living space to just under 24,000 sq. ft., along with a detached six-car garage.
Lined with mature trees, fenced and gated to ensure a private setting, the Baron spared no expense on constructing the finest, safest and most secure living quarters possible. The entire house structure is built of poured concrete foundation with concrete block walls, a gorgeous brick exterior to endure the test of time and windows and doors have tamper-proof security bars.
The U-shaped layout of the mansion presents a prominent grand look from the outside that extends to the elegant interior, from the intricately designed hardwood floor and beautiful wainscoting to the eye-catching 11-ft. ceilings and dramatic 10-ft. doors.
Upon entering the front door, you’re greeted by a luxurious lobby and sitting area with lovely views straight ahead of two sets of glass french doors that open to the rear patio. Off the main hallway to the left, you’ll be awestruck by the sheer size and elegance of the formal dining room and its stunning baroque-style furniture that has been a mainstay in the home. The living room is highlighted by a 4-ft. tall fireplace with marble mantle and is so expansive that the grand piano takes up only a small amount of the space. At the end of the hall, a large outdoor covered patio with built-in brick fireplace and barbecue area is totally screened in so owners are free to entertain outdoors without being bothered by pesky bugs or inclement weather.
Down at the south wing, there is huge open den with nicely crafted built-ins and a fireplace in front of the sitting area that backups up against the master bedroom. There's even a spiral staircase that leads down into the games room. The entrance to the master bedroom from the den is well camouflaged as part of the den wall, and once in, you'll be greeted by two very large walk-through closets with four sliding louver doors on each side that have plenty of built-in storage so you’ll never run out of wardrobe space. These his-and-her closets are connected to the master bedroom ensuite with its heated floor and cultured marble vanities and tub.
In the north wing, you’ll have no problem finding privacy as there are six bedrooms large enough to accommodate both bedroom furniture and space for a sitting area or desk. The main bathroom has triple sinks and there is another bathroom shared by two of the bedrooms. The country kitchen has a dumb waiter that goes down to the freezer, food preparation and pantry area.
The basement was designed for entertainment with an indoor racquetball/squash court, wine cellar with a separate cooling system, games room, sauna and shower area, and a billiards room that used to display the Baron’s trophies from his many safaris. A spiral staircase at the far end of the billiards room leads back up to the main floor den, and stairs in another corner lead to a huge vault that is climate controlled and was used for storing prized art work, fur coats and other valuables.
The Baron also provided living quarters for his servants at the Canadiana Condos. These eight, 1,500-sq.-ft., three-bedroom homes (four duplexes in total) have patios, new siding and roofs, and attached garage parking. There is also a separate barn manager’s home that is 2,500 sq. ft. along with an attached 1,800 sq. ft. rental apartment.
With the living quarters, barns, paddocks and land, The Canadiana Properties is largest property and one of the most luxurious (priced at $12.5 million) ever listed in the Calgary region, and is ideal for a large horse-loving family, anyone who dreams of owning an equestrian operation or as an equestrian training school for young riders who dream of Olympic glory.
For more information on The Canadiana Properties contact:
Ross PAVL Re/Max House of Real Estate 403-837-8100
Ben EBY Re/Max Mountain View 403-540-2993