432 replies to this topic

[todd]

Dave Obee is played by Dwayne Johnson but Dave Obee may work for cheaper.

[Victoria Watcher]

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent Christmas in North Saanich mansion owned by a “mystery” billionaire

Royals holidayed at $18.5 million Greater Victoria property

Although it was already well known that Prince Harry and his family were spending Christmas in Canada, the U.K. tabloid the Daily Mail has confirmed that the bulk of the holidays were spent at a secluded $18.5 million property in North Saanich. The property, dubbed “Mille Fleurs," has 8 total bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and 2 distinct beaches. Last year BC Assessment priced the main home at $6.1 million and the guest house at $1.7 million (both figures not including land value). The full property was listed at $18.5 million in 2012 and sold, but its current owner has not been identified beyond the claims by a neighbour that he is a billionaire who is US-based but not Canadian or American. Locals first noticed increased security on December 19th, when cameras and temporary walls were set up around the property. Over the holidays, the couple’s royal protection team could also be seen in the area. Read more at the Daily Mail.  

[Victoria Watcher]

real estate listing:

 

This waterfront estate, named Mille Fleurs, is located at 525 Towner Park Road in Victoria, BC, Canada. It features an 11,416 square foot main houes and a 2,349 square foot guest cottage. As you pass through the gated entrance you are first greeted by the charming guest cottage which features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Beyond that is the French Country inspired main house with 5 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, formal dining room, paneled office with fireplace, large 2-story living room opening to the gourmet kitchen with pizza oven, game room with wet bar, media room, wine tasting room and more.

 

https://homesoftheri...7e7f2-119762929

[todd]

Still no photos of them?

[todd]

What does a land title search reveal about the name on the property? or will nobody pay the $15.

[SimonH]

Spotted in North Saanich:

 

[todd]

they almost don’t seem real

[Victoria Watcher]

now the mystery deepens:

 

 

 

 

David Foster, the Victoria-born musician and philanthropist, says he helped to bring Prince Harry, his wife Meghan Markle and their son Archie to North Saanich for a December stay at a waterfront estate.

 

Foster told DailyMail.com that he connected the couple with the owner of the estate, who is a friend. He would not identify the friend.

 

Foster said he offered his help after his wife, actress Katharine McPhee, learned that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wanted a quiet spot for a Christmas holiday. McPhee went to school with Markle in Los Angeles.

 

“The owner [of the estate] has allowed this to happen through me, and I was happy to facilitate,” he told DailyMail.com. “This is a great testament to my hometown of Victoria that they were able to go under the radar for so long.” 

https://www.timescol...nich-1.24046378

 

 

could this estate owner be a music person?  of course foster is on his 5th wife he probably has lots of contacts from all sides of his 5 families.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 05 January 2020 - 06:08 AM.

[Rob Randall]

I looked up the address and in the 1960s it was owned by a guy who fashioned himself Canada's pension expert. Probably still owned by a financial guy. Maybe the same guy or his heirs, who knows. 

 

Google and Bing maps are contradictory on the address. Google implies it's at the end of an unmarked road that leads from Towher Park Road while Bing doesn't show that unlabeled road and instead shows the closest street as Towner Road (not Towner Park, a different road). 

[Rob Randall]

Poor old MapQuest (remember them?) doesn't even differentiate between the two (or three?) roads. Everything is Towner Park Road. You come to a T-intersection and both options are the same road! No wonder this property is exclusive. I bet the mailman can't find it.

 

[Rob Randall]

See, you have to go to the North Saanich zoning map for the real information. The property includes the neighbouring waterfront mansion near Madrona Drive. 35 acres!

 

Things that are also 35 acres:

 

• Galey Farm on Blenkinsop
• The Vancouver Island Technology Park
• Government House
• Lambrick Park recreation area (not including high school)

 

 

Edited by Rob Randall, 05 January 2020 - 08:47 AM.

[todd]

Still no one willing to fund a $15 online land title search?

[todd]

I thought about it and then I thought about what would Meghan, Harry and David want so my volunteer Christmas tree chipper got an extra $10. Yup

Edited by todd, 05 January 2020 - 12:42 PM.

[LJ]

Still no one willing to fund a $15 online land title search?

I'm guessing that it would turn out to be a numbered company anyway.

[todd]

I'm guessing that it would turn out to be a numbered company anyway.

Still may be able to milk some information with that

[aastra]

Everybody knows everybody in Victoria except when they don't.

[todd]

383,360 (2016) people in the CRD and I don't have good facial recognition(until i get google glass).

Edited by todd, 06 January 2020 - 11:15 AM.

[todd]

Harry and Meghan are stepping back from royal duties: https://www.cnn.com/...intl/index.html

Edited by todd, 08 January 2020 - 12:35 PM.

[todd]

Apparently nobody was notified and the rest of the royal family is not happy

[Victoria Watcher]

 

https://twitter.com/danwootton