Images courtesy of Unison The Ryan Group Realty
This story isn’t about staging a guest room — it’s about buyers who needed immediate overflow space for visitors and asked agent John Ryan to arrange an off-market purchase with a two-week closing. The result was a $20.5-million sale handled quickly and quietly.
Ryan, of Unison The Ryan Group Realty in Whistler, B.C., recently sold 5454 Stonebridge Dr., a property of more than eight acres in one of Whistler’s most desirable neighbourhoods. Stonebridge itself spans more than 500 acres, with lot sizes varying from about 1.3 to 42 acres. Ryan is deeply familiar with the area — he has sold over 90 percent of Stonebridge properties in the last decade and has brokered 5454 Stonebridge Dr. multiple times.
This time he had planned to list the property in June for the summer market. He knew the sellers well, having represented them when they bought the house three years earlier. Now they were ready to downsize.
Because the sellers had maintained the home in immaculate condition, there was no need for extensive preparation before the sale.
The right buyer at the right time
By chance, a local buyer — another contact of Ryan’s — was looking for a nearby property to accommodate guests. A few months earlier Ryan had mentioned that 5454 Stonebridge would be coming to market. When the buyers arrived in Whistler for an extended stay, they toured the property and agreed to buy it on the condition that the deal could close in two weeks.
Ryan’s team completed the necessary due diligence and the transaction closed smoothly in cash. The well-maintained home passed inspection without issue. “This is one of my favourite sellers,” Ryan said, noting that any required maintenance had been handled promptly.
Ryan has frequent repeat interactions with both buyers and sellers, which made this sale straightforward. He represented the seller while the buyer, a sophisticated purchaser, completed the acquisition through a lawyer.
A front-row property
The buyers were attracted by the substantial acreage, the right number of bedrooms, and the property’s proximity to their primary residence — it’s literally down the street, providing convenient connectivity between homes.
The lot is considered “front-row,” offering unobstructed views of the ski runs, Alta Lake, the valley, and both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The parcel could also accommodate a helipad, a feature growing in demand in Stonebridge. “It’s an ideal neighbourhood for pilots to follow the valley and pop up to a property without flying over, and there is crown land behind,” Ryan said.
The house was built by a master builder and later updated with thoughtful renovations. Large windows and natural materials emphasize indoor/outdoor living: the main lounge opens onto a covered dining terrace, and the floor plan supports year-round use. The kitchen is designed for both daily life and entertaining.
Spread across three levels, the residence includes a bedroom wing with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a private staff area. Additional amenities include geothermal heating, a gym, a sauna, a wine cellar, and a media room.
Record-setting sale
At $20.5 million, this transaction ranks as the second-highest residential sale on record in Whistler and is the largest closing since 2023, when Ryan brokered a $32-million Stonebridge property.
Off-market sales are common in Stonebridge, the largest acreage community in the Whistler Valley. Ryan noted another off-market transaction the same week, just down the street, that closed at $20 million.
He also observed that many expatriates are returning from abroad and buying properties to retire or semi-retire in Canada. After the sale of 5454 Stonebridge Dr., Ryan posted the property on MLS so the transaction would be recorded in the system. “We’re loud and proud when we sell something,” he said.
Building more than a client list
Ryan attributes his success to hard work and long-term relationship building. He has cultivated a global client base and turned many clients into friends. About five years ago he organized a gathering for owners of large properties in the area. Many attendees had never met before, but the event led to lasting connections — neighbours who now walk their dogs or play pickleball together.
Ryan’s real estate career began more than 30 years ago in Mississauga. He moved to Whistler in 1988 and has been a leading agent in the market ever since. His team records between $200 million and $300 million in annual gross sales revenue.