Originally intended to be a luxurious lakeside retreat, the Peter Grant mansion in Haileybury, Ont. has been abandoned and left to deteriorate for nearly two decades — however, one entrepreneur is seeking to change that very soon. 

The 65,000-square-foot mansion is purported to be Canada's largest home, and despite its potential, has been vandalized over the years with endless graffiti, trash, and even feces. 

While the exterior of the home is mostly complete, a lot of work remains on the inside. Photo: Freaktography/Shutterstock. 

The local landmark, which is located on the shore of Lake Temiskaming, was originally owned by Grant Forest Products magnate Peter Grant, who purchased the land for just $110,000 in 2004. 

The home's floor plans included a subterranean boathouse, a golf course, as well an art gallery, however construction on the mansion was abandoned amid the 2008 financial crisis. Just a year later, Grant Forest Properties, filed for bankruptcy protection after facing mounting debts. 

Construction materials are still sprawled across the abandoned mansion. Photo: Freaktography/Shutterstock.

CBC News reported that the land was listed for $25 million in 2010, and was sold to a Toronto-based company, which has only finished minimal work on the property, including installing fences and security cameras — although these additions have done little to prevent vandals from visiting the abandoned home. 

As a result, the deteriorating mansion has become an eyesore for local residents, and the estimated cost of finishing the home currently sits at roughly $1 million. 

Although a Toronto-based company added security upgrades to the home, urban explorers still visit the abandoned property. Photo: Freaktography/Shutterstock. 

Despite the work ahead, a Texas entrepreneur named Chris Fischer recently took possession of the home, and hopes to detail the property's restoration in a reality TV show titled Mansion Impossible. 

One of the show's producers, Theresa Kowall-Shipp, tells blogTO that finding the right platform to detail the mansion's restoration has been a challenging process. 

"While the show has garnered considerable interest, its non-traditional nature—focusing on the restoration of a massive 65,000 square foot mansion and blending elements of cultural adaptation and mystery — requires a platform that appreciates long-term, evolving stories," Kowall-Shipp explained. 

The show is currently in its advanced development phase, and producers have invested considerable time in building the story framework, scouting, conducting preliminary research, filming "before" footage, and assembling a production team. 

"We're excited about showcasing not just the mansion's transformation but also the local community's involvement, which will enrich the storytelling," Kowall-Shipp said. "We're confident this compelling narrative will resonate with audiences and that we will find the right home."

Although producers still have to find a TV network or streaming service to pick up the show, they are optimistic that filming can begin in the spring of 2026.