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Du Zhongyi buys Eagle Point Estates


Hon. Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, in Ontario, announced on March 7th that the Eagle Point properties, near the Thousand Islands Bridge, have been purchased by Mr. Du Zhongyi of Wuhai, China.

The 15-acre-waterfront property was listed, recently, on TI Life’s properties page at $18 million. 

Included in the purchase is the 600 acre Eagle Point Winery and Vineyard which is located north of Highway 401 near Mallorytown, which is part of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands. Local press reported that the estimated $100-million Chinese investment is expected to transform the fledgling Eagle Point winery and region.

Mr. Du Zhongyi , an industrialist with investments in China, Mongolia, and other countries. One of his companies is believed to be the third largest coal producer in China. 

"When Mr. Du first came to the 1000 Islands in the summer of 2011 he was amazed at the diversity and beauty of our community," stated Tom Lawler, the current Eagle Point Winery property manger. "In the ensuing months, Mr. Du has formulated his vision for the properties, which will provide an economic boost to our region."

The Eagle Point estates were sold by Marsha and Terry Dixon.  Many Canadian newspapers have written stories about the Dixons and their projects even calling the waterfront home,“the grandest of the modern-day castles”.

The waterfront home, on nearly 14 acres, includes the main house of 13,700 square feet , a 7,000-sq.-ft. guesthouse, and a caretaker’s home. Construction took close to five years. From the River, near the Bridge, one can see some of the five, man-made, waterfalls. The intricate stonework around the property was constructed of stone, quarried from the site.

The Dixon’s, were generous with the community and their entertaining often centered around their charity work. In addition to Eagle Point, they have been raising cattle and breeding horses on the old Donavan farm in Mallorytown. Their American Paint Horse Breeding operations have been moved to Ocala, Florida.

In recent years, on the farm, the Dixons took advantage of the rich-and- fertile soil to create 20-acre vineyard, transforming the main barn into the winery and retail space.

This sale is considered a major-economic boost to the region. The announcement was made in Markham Ontario, (north of Toronto) where the Hon. Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport lauded this investment in Eastern Ontario. Also at the announcement were Leeds-Grenville Member of the Provincial Parliament, Steve Clark, and the Township of Leeds and Thousand Islands (TLTI) Mayor Bruce Bryan and Deputy Mayor Heidi Conarroe.

Interest from the Chinese community , about the Thousand Islands has been fostered by Township officials for several years. In 2010 TLTI sponsored a Canada-China Tourism Day at the Glen House Resort. Links with the China National Tourism Administration fostered culture exchanges and gave TLTI the opportunity to showcase the natural beauty of the Thousand Islands and is many tourism resources.

"With Mr. Du's vision and investment, Eagle Point will become a premier destination for both domestic and international visitors." said Tom Lawler.

The new owner has announced plans to develop a golf course and country club, a residential -housing development, and an expansion of the winery operations.

By Susan W. Smith, susansmith@thousandislandslife.com

See:  Gananoque Reporter, March 7, 2012; Brockville Recorder and Times  

Posted in: News Article
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Comments

Liz Huff
Comment by: Liz Huff ( )
Left at: 9:07 AM Thursday, March 15, 2012
This announcement is exciting for those of us who are interested in economic revitalization in Leeds and the Thousand Islands. I understand that Mr. Lawler has indicated that the new owner has a vision of leading edge 'green' techniques as part of the new developments. This can be a great boost for our area in many ways.
Catharine Van Sickle
Comment by: Catharine Van Sickle ( )
Left at: 3:59 PM Sunday, March 18, 2012
An impressive project,to say the least
Alan Lindsay
Comment by: Alan Lindsay ( )
Left at: 2:19 PM Tuesday, March 20, 2012
What is going to happen to what is left of Darlingside?
Marc Wigle
Comment by: Marc Wigle
Left at: 2:48 PM Friday, August 14, 2015
Not such a great deal now but, IMHO, a better option than selling it to the Chinese.