Own a piece of Canadian music history with this expansive 5.7-acre waterfront estate, famously known as the former residence of legendary songstress Rita MacNeil. Built specifically for Rita between 1991 and 1992, the home has been preserved and features many of her original high-end touches. Located on the shores of Sydney River, this multi-unit property is far more than a home; it is a high-performance, turnkey hospitality property with a proven track record as a very successful short-term rental. The estate offers approximately 5,500 square feet of finished living space across three distinct units, providing unparalleled flexibility for an owner-occupier or investor. The main house is a 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom masterpiece featuring a massive chef’s kitchen and a sun-drenched solarium, while the lower level, once Rita’s personal recording studio, now serves as a premier entertainment hub with a games room and bar. Connected by a breezeway is the private "Rita’s Suite," which contains two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen, alongside a chic, open-concept upper-level bachelor unit equipped with its own full kitchen and bath. Lifestyle and amenities abound as you experience ultimate relaxation in the 1,500 square foot indoor saltwater pool complex, featuring soaring cedar ceilings and lake views. The grounds are a masterpiece of landscaping, ranging from "Rita’s Garden" by the babbling brook—where she composed much of her music—to the private dock on Sydney River for boating and swimming. The property is engineered for modern sustainability with a full solar array and heat pumps to minimize operational costs. A new septic will be installed in September 2026 alongside many other upgrades like painting and sealing the roof. With an established management team and cleaning staff willing to stay on board, this destination stands as the most unique and high-yielding waterfront offering in Cape Breton today.
Take Highway 125 towards Sydney. Take exit 5A for Coxheath Road. House is on the left in approx 2kms.
Listing Sub-Area:
202-Sydney River / Coxheath
Property Type:
Residential
Residential Type:
Single Family
Residential Style:
Detached
Title To Land:
Freehold
Home Style:
2 Storey
Property Known As / Body of Water:
Blacketts Lake
Exterior Finish:
Wood Siding
Year built:
1991
(Age: 35)
Age:
35
Bedrooms:
6
Bedrooms Above Grade:
5
Bedrooms Below Grade:
1
Full Bathrooms:
6
Half Bathrooms:
1
Main Living Area:
5,800 sq. ft.539 m2
Floor Area:
7,300 sq. ft.678 m2
Building Dimenions:
Irregular
Prop Size:
3 to 9.99 Acres
Lot Size:
5.7 acre(s)2.31 hectare(s)
Zoning:
RR5
Water Type:
Fresh Water
Water Supply:
Drilled Well
Sewer:
Septic
Foundation:
Poured Concrete
Floor Finish:
Hardwood, Tile
Roof:
Asphalt Shingle
New Constr.:
No
Basement:
Full, Fully Developed, Walkout
Heating:
Baseboard, Heat Pump -Ducted
Fuel:
Electric
Utilities:
Electricity, High Speed Internet
Garage:
Attached, Double, Wired
Garage Description:
Attached two car garage, insulated and wired. 25' x 25'
Driveway:
Gravel, Parking Spaces(s)
Floor
Type
Size
Other
Main Floor
Porch
9'2.74 m × 5'10"1.78 m
Main Floor
Foyer
15'11"4.85 m × 12'2"3.71 m
Main Floor
Living Room
18'10"5.74 m × 16'6"5.03 m
Main Floor
Living Room
23'7.01 m × 15'4.57 m
Main Floor
Kitchen
14'11"4.55 m × 12'9"3.89 m
Main Floor
Sun Room
25'2"7.67 m × 6'10"2.08 m
Main Floor
Primary Bedroom
16'8"5.08 m × 14'4.27 m
2nd Level
Bedroom
13'1"3.99 m × 12'4"3.76 m
2nd Level
Bedroom
16'8"5.08 m × 12'3"3.73 m
Basement
Living Room
25'7.62 m × 16'8"5.08 m
Basement
Games Room
24'10"7.57 m × 20'6.10 m
Basement
Storage
11'5"3.48 m × 7'6"2.29 m
Basement
Utility
12'5"3.78 m × 7'8"2.34 m
Basement
Utility
14'5"4.39 m × 9'6"2.90 m
Basement
Bedroom
16'4.88 m × 10'11"3.33 m
Main Floor
OTHER
58'5"17.80 m × 25'7.62 m
Main Floor
Living Room
27'8.23 m × 12'8"3.86 m
Main Floor
Eat In Kitchen
26'11"8.20 m × 11'3"3.43 m
2nd Level
Bedroom
18'5.49 m × 12'4"3.76 m
2nd Level
Bedroom
23'11"7.29 m × 11'4"3.45 m
Floor
Ensuite
Pieces
Other
Main Floor
Yes
-
11'9" x 10'
Main Floor
No
-
7'10" x 6'9"
2nd Level
No
-
14'3" x 7'9"
Basement
No
-
8'10" x 7'9"
Main Floor
No
-
12'8" x 5'11"
2nd Level
No
-
6'7" x 5'10"
Inground Pool, Balcony, Ensuite Bath, Secondary Suite, 1758, 1759
Dock
All furniture and appliances as is. Lawn mower and tractor remain.
TV in Rita’s suite (will put a smaller one in there), china cabinet from Rita’s Suite, hand tools in garage, leaf blower, whipper snipper, hedge trimmer.
Data was last updated August 31, 2026 at 11:20 PM (UTC)
Area Statistics
Listings on market:
30
Avg list price:
$446,000
Min list price:
$109,900
Max list price:
$949,000
Avg days on market:
55
Min days on market:
3
Max days on market:
413
Avg price per sq.ft.:
$200.21
These statistics are generated based on the current listing's property type
and located in
202-Sydney River / Coxheath. Average values are
derived using median calculations. This data is not produced by
the MLS® system.