Eagle River – Modern Cabin Install on Remote Riverfront Property
Shelby Friesen
This riverfront install near a popular BC sledding and summer recreation area features our modern 11.5’ x 27’ cabin, built as the first step in a growing vision for a rental cabin network along the riverbanks. With unique access challenges and a need for off-grid capability, this install came with more than a few moving parts—but the end result was well worth the planning.
Check out the details & photos showcasing the project below! 📸
Project Details:
Location: Eagle River [Sicamous-Revelstoke Corridor], BC Product: 11.5' x 27' Modern Cabin Special Requirements: Railway crossing access
Modern Cabin Size: 11.5’ x 27’ Heat: Propane wall heater, mini split (heat + AC), electric baseboard backup Interior Finish:Pine Exterior Finish: Cedar with black metal accents Add-Ons: Propane on-demand hot water, off-grid ready systems
How It Started
The client’s property is a sprawling 40-acre riverfront parcel, nestled in a sought-after destination for both winter sledders and summer adventurers. With winding river frontage and room to grow, the family had a clear vision: to create a set of cabins for short-term rentals, adding a single Modern Cabin to get started and see how the process would go.
This project was particularly meaningful, as it was also a learning opportunity for the client’s son. The idea was to introduce him to the process of land development and vacation rentals, starting small with a single unit and scaling up over time.
Our early planning included several site visits to assess logistics. Gaining access to the property was no small feat: the route required crossing active train tracks and navigating a steeply sloped driveway.
There were also design adjustments halfway through the project, when the client discovered that BC Hydro wouldn’t have power to the site for at least a year. We pivoted quickly, reworking the cabin’s electrical and heating systems to run off propane and generators, ensuring comfort and functionality without the grid.
We also explored the option of a double-wide unit initially, but ultimately decided to keep it simple for this first phase and build an 11.5 x 27' model.
The Build:
This project featured our tried-and-true 11.5’ x 27’ Modern Cabin—compact, efficient, and designed with rental use in mind. The layout includes a cozy loft sleeping area, a fully equipped washroom with shower and toilet, and a compact kitchenette with enough space for extended stays. The open-concept living area makes great use of natural light with large windows, creating a bright, welcoming interior.
The finishes followed our signature blend: tongue-and-groove pine interior for a warm, cabin feel, contrasted with durable cedar siding and black metal roofing on the exterior for a sharp, modern edge. These finishes don’t just look good—they hold up beautifully in BC’s variable climates and require minimal upkeep, making them ideal for short-term rental properties.
In response to the delay in hydro availability, we designed this unit to run completely off-grid. That meant installing a propane wall heater and an on-demand propane hot water system, along with a mini split for efficient heating and cooling. The electrical was configured to operate off solar and generator hookups until power becomes available, with the ability to convert back to a fully electric system in the future—offering long-term flexibility.
While this cabin didn’t include any flashy extras, it highlights the strength of our core design: efficient, attractive, durable, and smartly planned for the realities of remote property use.
The Installation:
Pre-Install Concerns:
The biggest challenge? Access. A newly proposed driveway would’ve allowed for a much smoother delivery path across the railway, but it wasn’t approved in time. That meant we had to devise a workaround—and fast.
The Plan:
We loaded the cabin onto a low-bed trailer for highway transport, then arranged for a double lift to clear the tracks. The first step was to crane the cabin from the low-bed trailer onto a taller step-deck trailer that had the necessary clearance. Once across the tracks and on-site, the next step was to crane it again from the high trailer onto the prepared foundation pad.
This took some serious coordination. We mapped elevations, cross-checked trailer heights, and calculated clearances down to the inch—because one thing you don’t want to do is get stuck on a railway crossing.
The Day Of:
Vesper Transport arrived at the shop around 9am, and we hit the road by noon. We were briefly unsure if the crane would even make it—communications had been spotty, and then we got word the driver had a flat tire just as we were leaving. We had backup plans just in case, but everything came together just in time.
By mid-afternoon, the crew regrouped at the site. After reassessing the access path, we all agreed the double lift was the safest option. The first lift moved the cabin to the step-deck, and the second placed it cleanly onto its foundation pad.
Site Prep & Timing:
The foundation had been carefully built up with a rock base to keep the unit above the floodplain—an important consideration with a river that can swell past its banks. Access was tight but well planned, and the site allowed room for staging and lifting.
We wrapped up by 5:30pm, just as the sun dipped below the trees—a golden hour finish to a long day. We stayed behind to capture interior and exterior photos and fly the drone for some stunning aerial shots of the cabin against the riverside backdrop.
Another successful delivery!
The client was thrilled—not just with the cabin itself, but with the effort our team made to solve the access and power challenges creatively. While the install took extra coordination, it meant they could begin their rental vision immediately, rather than wait a year for power or approvals. It’s a great example of what can be done with the right planning, flexibility, and teamwork.
Check out the project photos below! ⬇️ 📸
Planning a remote or off-grid build?
We can help you get it done—access challenges, power issues, or unusual site logistics included. Reach out to talk through your project or book a discovery call. ☎️
Let’s bring your cabin vision to life. 🏡🌲
Call or Text: 1 (250) 900-8057
Email: orders@elkridgecabinco.com
Install Photos:
Completion Photos:
Planning a remote or off-grid build?
We can help you get it done—access challenges, power issues, or unusual site logistics included. Reach out to talk through your project or book a discovery call. ☎️
