Overlooking Chimney Corner Beach and Northumberland, the team at MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects has completed a hospitality venture rooted in a heartfelt expression of place, identity and care. Ridge On The Chimney is a collection of four rental cottages, situated in the remote rural community of Chimney Corner on the west coast of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia — a world-renowned destination celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality.
“We’re in the smiles and memories business,” says Founder and Cape Breton native, Scott Fitzgerald. “Having grown up here, it gives me joy to share this little piece of paradise with the world.”
Ridge On The Chimney represents the firm’s deep-rooted love for Cape Breton and a desire to offer something truly meaningful to others: a destination that blends sensitive design with the warmth of Canadian craftsmanship. Every detail, from handpicked local furnishings to the soulful rhythm of coastal life, reflects their passion for creating connection — between guests, nature and each other. It isn’t just about beautiful stays; it’s about creating unforgettable moments that resonate long after the journey ends.
Conceived as a cluster of simple, wood-clad gabled forms, the cottages are positioned along a north-south “ridge” in the landscape. To the west, the land drops dramatically over cliffs into the Northumberland Strait, while to the east, it rises into the mountains beyond. The architectural language references the local vernacular, drawing inspiration from gabled agricultural barns and coastal fish shacks.
Entry corner “bites” are recessed to provide shelter upon arrival, leading to a compressed entry sequence that transitions to a vaulted living, kitchen and dining space, with expansive glazing that frames breathtaking views of Chimney Corner Beach and the surrounding natural landscape. The buildings are designed to offer guests a sense of refuge and prospect – the bedrooms provide a sense of protection and privacy (refuge), while the main living areas foster a strong connection to the landscape (prospect) through open, expansive layouts and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions.
Set just down the hill from the cottages, a communal area invites guests to gather and connect at a shared outdoor kitchen that includes a firepit, seating, and a BBQ, where guests can cook together outdoors. This supported the client’s vision of wanting to create a hospitality space where guests have a sense of privacy and personal retreat in their “bunkie” or “cabin”, while simultaneously fostering opportunities for connection and a shared sense of community throughout their stay.
Rooted in the ethos of economy and place, the design blends traditional geometries with modern detailing, using minimal materials to create a significant architectural impact that enriches Chimney Corner’s landscape, while fostering meaningful connections between people and place.
“This project embodies and celebrates our practice’s values of cultural responsiveness to local landscapes, climate, and material culture,” states Shane Andrews, Partner and Senior Project Architect. “Our work is known for its poetic and sensitive architecture that is often defined by its quiet strength, simplicity and honesty.”
Photography by Matthew MacKay-Lyons.
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