Inside the Nest: Hootsuite’s Ryan Holmes and artist Paola Castelo list their brand new North Van retreat for $6.65M

This North Shore estate, known as The Nest (El Nido), offers a rare blend of nature, art and high design—perfectly suited for those seeking a sanctuary mere minutes from Vancouver’s city centre. Hootsuite founder Ryan Holmes and his wife, artist and philanthropist Paola Castelo, acquired the lot in 2021, determined to create a home that honours both the foliage surrounding the land and their love for art, design and creativity.

The property

Type: Estate

Neighbourhood: Pemberton Heights

Beds: 5

Baths: 5 and a half

Size: 5,385 sq. ft

Year built: 2024

Maintenance fees: Freehold non-strata

Listed price: $6,650,000

Inside The Nest

The Nest sits behind a curtain of 50-year-old maples and magnolias, which the couple insisted remained untouched to preserve privacy and create a woodland setting that offers a space away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Thoughtful landscaping introduced lavender and various herbs to attract pollinators and also to provide their children with an outdoor space that’s reminiscent of a fairy-tale garden.

Architect Shawn Rassekh of RAAF Projects and contractor Jay Spadafora of Ekos Home worked closely with Castelo, whose artistic vision shaped every detail—from the Italian plaster walls and hand-molded sinks to extensive use of European walnut on the flooring, cabinetry and joinery. The interiors balance Belgian and Mexican influences, nodding to Axel Vervoordt’s refined minimalism and Luis Barragán’s vibrant, emotive use of space and colour. The estate is also equipped with Miele appliances, Bocci lighting fixtures, and even disappearing glass wall systems that open the house up to spectacular views of Vancouver’s downtown skyline.

Despite its location in Vancouver’s North Shore, The Nest still feels intimately connected to the city. The home is also situated just a four-minute walk away from Marine Drive and a five-minute drive away from the Lions Gate Bridge, making daily commutes convenient for its residents.

For Castelo, The Nest is more than a house. “A home becomes our personal imprint on a space, a way of identifying ourselves through our surroundings and ultimately a space where we aim to cultivate uplifting positive energy,” she shares.