Executive Lake-Access Bungalow on Sandwick Drive in Glen Arbour, Hammonds Plains | Halifax Real Estate

Executive Overview

Tucked at the rear of the Glen Arbour golf community in Hammonds Plains, this Highmark Homes bungalow sits on over two private acres backing directly onto McCabe Lake — a quiet, non-motorized lake surrounded by forest and functioning as a natural bird sanctuary. The property combines the feel of a year-round cottage with the convenience of city living: grocery shopping is sixteen minutes away, downtown Halifax is a thirty-minute drive, and the Halifax Stanfield International Airport is equally accessible.

With more than 3,300 square feet across two fully serviced levels, a private pickleball and sport court, over a quarter-million dollars in professional landscaping, and an EV charger already installed, this home is purpose-built for a specific buyer — one who values privacy, quality construction, and an active outdoor lifestyle without the compromises of rural living. In the Halifax real estate market, properties offering this combination of lakeside setting, modern construction, and acreage within commuting distance are exceptionally rare.

Key Property Metrics

Property Highlights

The main level delivers nearly 1,700 square feet of true one-level living. Vaulted ceilings and oversized windows push the entire rear of the home toward the natural landscape — lake, forest, and uninterrupted greenery — flooding the open-concept living, dining, and kitchen areas with natural light. The kitchen features quartz countertops, a long island overlooking the backyard, and high-end finishes throughout. A dedicated pantry and the ability to close off service areas from the main entertaining space add a degree of refinement that open-concept floor plans often lack.

The primary suite occupies its own wing on the main floor with a generous walk-in closet and ensuite bath. A second bedroom on the main level, along with a full bathroom, provides flexibility for guests or a home office. The heart of this home, however, is the propane fireplace that greets you upon entry — a feature guests consistently remark upon and one that anchors the warmth and character of the entire space.

The walkout lower level is not a basement in the conventional sense. Nine-foot coffered ceilings, large windows, and modern open-span beam construction create a bright, forty-foot-long living space that functions as a fully independent second level. It currently accommodates a recreation room, home office, television area, wet bar with fridge and dishwasher, a third bedroom with full bathroom and walk-in closet, a gym, and ample storage. The lower level has its own separate entrance, making it well-suited for an older child, visiting parents, or potential rental income. The builder invested in engineered beams to eliminate centre posts, resulting in wide, unobstructed spans that feel decidedly above-grade.

Notable Features & Upgrades

• Highmark Homes construction — quality-focused builder with engineered beam spans
• Fully ducted heat pump system with central cooling for balanced climate control
• Metal roof throughout — longevity and low maintenance
• Propane fireplace (main level) and full propane gas stove (lower level)
• EV charger installed and in use since day one
• Generlink generator hookup — quick-connect for whole-home backup power
• Over $250,000 in professional landscaping, retaining walls, and drainage work
• Private asphalt pickleball / sport court with specialized non-slip surface
• Heated, wired, attached double garage with paved driveway
• Covered outdoor entertaining area with smoker and barbecue setup
• Lakeside viewing deck, fire pit in the forest, and wooden gazebo by the court
• Vegetable garden area with raised boxes and professional planting beds
• HRV system (heat recovery ventilation) and fibre optic internet
• Freshly painted throughout in contemporary colours; new LG stainless steel appliances

The Outdoor Experience

This is not a home where the backyard is an afterthought. The 2.3-acre lot has been developed into distinct outdoor zones, each designed for a different purpose: a covered deck with an outdoor kitchen area for entertaining, a professional asphalt pickleball and sport court with a wooden gazebo for spectators, a fire pit tucked into the forest where you cannot see a single neighbouring structure, a lakeside viewing deck where the current owners have morning coffee while watching wildlife on McCabe Lake, and a vegetable garden with raised beds.

The pickleball court deserves particular mention. Built with six to eight feet of engineered surge stone beneath a professionally graded asphalt surface, it features a specialized non-slip coating designed specifically for pickleball play — providing grip in damp conditions without affecting ball bounce. The court doubles as a surface for road hockey, basketball, rollerblading, and general recreation. Fencing is fully installed. For buyers who currently wait in line at public courts, the value of a private, regulation-quality court steps from your back door is considerable.

McCabe Lake is accessible directly from the property — the current owners launch a kayak from the deck area and paddle through a quiet, non-motorized stretch of water that borders a natural bird sanctuary. There are no jet skis, no powerboats, and few other paddlers. It is a setting that feels genuinely wild, despite being within the Halifax Regional Municipality. For those who fish, this end of the lake is an ideal and uncrowded spot.

Is This the Right Home for You?

This home is best suited to active downsizers and professional couples who want space, quality, and an outdoor lifestyle without the isolation of truly rural living. The main-level layout — with nearly 1,700 square feet, a primary suite, and a second bedroom all on one floor — was originally designed as a QE2 Rotary Dream Home plan, and the feedback from that program confirmed what the current layout delivers: the kind of generous single-level living that a two-storey home simply cannot provide. Everything you need on a daily basis is on the main floor.

The walkout lower level, with its separate entrance, full bathroom, and self-contained living space, also makes this property well-suited to a couple with an older child attending university or a household that occasionally hosts extended family. The current owners note that visiting parents stay comfortably for weeks at a time with full independence on the lower level. For Nova Scotia real estate buyers seeking a home that functions as both a private retreat and a practical, low-maintenance residence, this property warrants close consideration.