Realtor completes breathtaking restoration of two stunning saltbox houses on remote Newfoundland island that can only be accessed by boat

A Canadian real estate agent has completed a major renovation of two historic salt pan houses on a remote island accessible only by boat from her family’s vacation home.

Cailey Heaps, 47, bought the two white houses originally built in 1912 and 1914 on a site with three barns, a small cemetery and an outbuilding in Salvage, Newfoundland – a small town of about 100 residents – for $173,000.

After closing in March 2022, the leader of real estate brokerage Heaps Estrin embarked on a restoration project that she estimated would cost $184,000 — ultimately nearly quadrupling in price.

Heaps brought in Reflect Architecture, a Toronto-based studio run by Trevor Wallace to help with the project and found that the age of the property was not on their side.

“We went over to look at them, and like anything that old, there were a lot of surprises,” Wallace said. The New York Times.

The larger 1,000 square foot home, called the Burden House, was transformed into the main living space and primary suite

The kitchens in both houses are constructed of Baltic birch plywood and butcher block and the interiors are both clad primarily in white shiplap

The remote property is only accessible by boat or on foot. Heaps enlisted Reflect Architecture, a Toronto-based studio run by Trevor Wallace to help with the project

Another shot from above shows how secluded the homes are, with the properties offering stunning views over the surrounding islands and the Atlantic Ocean

The two white houses were originally built in 1912 and 1914 on a plot with three barns, a small cemetery and an outbuilding

‘Everything was very rickety. They had just come through a hundred years of good old Newfoundland abuse.”

The larger 1,000-square-foot home, called the Burden House, which had no electricity or plumbing, was transformed into the main living space and primary suite.

The 1,000-square-foot home, called Dunn House, became a sleeping quarters for her children and a media room.

According to floor plans of Reflect architectureThe ground floor of the Burden House has an entrance hall, living room, large kitchen and dining room, a laundry room and a laundry room. The second floor has the master bedroom, a guest bedroom and a bathroom.

The main floor of the Dunn House has an entrance hall, living room, TV room, a galley-style kitchen, laundry room and laundry room. The second floor has a master and guest bedroom and a bathroom.

The kitchens in both houses are made of Baltic birch plywood and butcher block and the interiors are both clad primarily in white shiplap.

To maintain the appearance of the buildings, the architects added new white siding to mimic the original

The 915-square-foot home, called the Dunn House, became a sleeping quarters for her children and a media room

The main floor of the Dunn House has an entrance hall, living room, TV room, a galley-style kitchen, laundry room and laundry room.

The bedrooms in the Dunn House feature orange and green colors on the floors, ceilings, walls, beds and lamps

When Heaps and her family aren’t using the property, she rents out both homes on Airbnb for $633 per night

The bedrooms in the Dunn House feature orange and green colors on the floors, ceilings, walls, beds and lamps.

To maintain the appearance of the buildings, the architects added new white siding to mimic the original.

When the renovation was completed in May 2023, the project cost a total of $735,000.

‘It’s the most unique setting I’ve ever seen. You go out the back door, up the hill and come to a lookout point where all you see is ocean, trees and whales. It’s a magical place,” Heaps said.

When Heaps and her family are not using the property, she rents out both houses Airbnb for $633 per night.