The Finest of Up North Life
Written by Matt Dursum
A lake-front architectural gem, tucked away on 1.5 acres of maple and pine forest.
111 N. Avenue, Great Lakes Community
$1,500,000
3 BD 3BA 6,500 SQ. FT. 1.5 acres
Tucked away on a verdant 1.5 acre property, 1111 North Avenue is an architectural masterpiece full of Great Lakes charm. Built in 1970 and renovated in 2010, the estate features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and 6,500 square feet of living space set within a tranquil natural setting.
The estate’s entrance features a stone archway, Spanish tile flooring, and rustic wooden doors. Behind the doors is a luxurious entrance hall, a spacious living room, library, and kitchen, each featuring limestone tile flooring. Skylights illuminate each room, letting natural light enter freely. Next to the entrance hall is a formal library with eight rows of shelves. The spacious kitchen features wooden cabinets, a glass front upper cabinet, custom designed walk-in pantry, and brand new commercial-grade appliances. A wide picture window overlooks the garden patio and Japanese maple trees.
Each of the estate’s three bedrooms feature central heating, tile floors, spacious walk-in closets, and wide casement windows overlooking the gardens and patios surrounding the estate. The bathrooms are made for relaxation, with walk-in showers, marble sinks, and skylights above the high ceilings.
Outside, the space opens up to lush gardens, sculptures, and a two-car garage. A cascading blue fountain sits as the peaceful garden’s captivating centerpiece. Surrounding the estate is a spacious patio covered in a wooden veranda, outdoor fireplace, dining area, and garden.
Sharing Memories of the Property
Whenever life threw their family curveballs, they had a space that was theirs to retreat to. She built a red fountain on the forested edge of the property and a meditative veranda surrounded by cedar, blue spruce, and maple trees.
After his long reads in the library, he would join her outside, taking strolls through the garden and relaxing together by the outdoor fireplace. They would cook multi-course meals and dine on the outside patio. Between looking into each other’s eyes and exchanging warm smiles, they would sit outside for hours talking afterwards.
The neighborhood provided a peaceful wooded backdrop for walks to relieve the stresses of their careers. Neighbors became like family. They looked forward to hosting them and when they did, conversations lasted far into the night.
Their home became a sanctuary, full of natural light and places to look up at the stars. Colorful birds built homes in the surrounding trees and when the winter rains came, bouquets of wildflowers appeared throughout the green spaces surrounding the house.
Leaving their perfect space was never in the cards, yet the time came for new opportunities and to be closer to family out west. The dreaded feelings of longing for their charming Michigan home were overshadowed by the desire to share it with others. For them, nothing could be more rewarding than knowing that another family could experience the same home and make it their own.