How We Built nortehaus
nortehaus didn’t start as a rental. It started as a feeling, a desire to slow down, to reconnect with nature, and to build something with intention. Not just for show, but for life.
We were living in Toronto, both in fast-paced tech roles, always connected, always planning. One winter, almost on a whim, we found a plot of land near the Gull River. Remote, quiet, blanketed in fresh snow. We drove up, stepped out of the car, and knew right away: this was it. Especially after our dog jumped straight into the frozen river out of pure excitement. Instant ice bath, instant yes.
From the beginning, the vision was clear: design-forward, minimal but warm, a house that stood still while the world moved fast. Inspired by our roots (German and Ecuadorian) and our shared love of Japanese and Scandinavian design, we built nortehaus from scratch. Architecture, interior, and brand were always meant to feel like one continuous experience.
This was never meant to be a business. It was personal. Every decision, from the single-slab bedframe to the freestanding tub with a view, was made with care. No filler. No IKEA. No "cozy cabin" clichés. Just clarity, contrast, and craftsmanship.
Then COVID hit. Construction slowed. At the same time, we were expecting our first child and relocating to Lisbon. Not ideal timing, but dreams don’t wait for life to settle. You build them anyway.
Eventually, we opened the space to others. But only after building the systems to match the design, seamless, intentional, and operationally tight. Today, nortehaus runs at 85%+ occupancy, 4.96 guest satisfaction, and a curated, consistent online presence. We don’t just host. We want to deliver a brand experience you can sleep in.
And while we can stay in our dream whenever we want, we’ve now shared it with over 250 guests.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned: if you have a vision, don’t overthink it. Build it. Test it. Let it evolve. nortehaus wasn’t an accident. It was instinct, sweat, and a belief that doing things well, even in a crowded category like short-term rentals, still matters.
We never set out to create just another listing. We set out to build something we could stand behind. And we did.
