Key Takeaways
- A 4-acre lakefront estate in Fennville, Michigan, is listed for $6.75 million and features a main house, guest house, pool house, and private beach.
- The property offers luxury and privacy, with amenities such as an in-ground pool, tennis court, and manicured gardens.
- The main house has five bedrooms and five bathrooms, with a modern Cape Cod-style design and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake.
- The property has been a popular retreat for celebrities and offers potential for luxury vacation rentals.
- The estate is located in a sought-after area, close to Saugatuck’s restaurants, shops, and art galleries, and features native Michigan plants in its gardens.
Introduction to the Estate
The lakefront estate, located at 2526 Lakeshore Drive in Fennville, Michigan, is a luxurious retreat that has charmed celebrities with its blend of privacy and luxury. Listed at $6.75 million by Liz Engel and David Isljamovski of Century 21, the 4-acre property features a beautifully "rehabbed" main house, separate guest house, and attached pool house, in-ground pool, full-size tennis court, and manicured gardens. According to Isljamovski, the property is perfect for someone looking for privacy and luxury on the lakeshore, and has been a popular retreat for celebrities seeking a break from the everyday.
The Main House
The main house, built in 1941, has five bedrooms and five bathrooms, and features a modern Cape Cod-style design inspired by architect Hugh Newell Jacobson’s Buckwater House in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The exterior is wrapped in cedar plank siding, while the lakeside features floor-to-ceiling windows with multiple sliders opening to a wraparound cedar deck. The interior is flooded with natural light and lakeside views, with a sitting room, ensuite primary, and a second ensuite bedroom on the first floor. The refined space includes a living room, dining room, and kitchen, with an office or study, large closets, and a luxury bathroom with Japanese soaking tub in the ensuite primary.
Unique Features
The property features several unique elements, including a secret lofted area in the ceiling of the second ensuite bedroom, accessible by a drop-down ladder. The basement contains a child-sized playhouse with a bedroom and bunk room, which Isljamovski describes as "the nicest dollhouse you’ve ever seen." The upstairs contains two bedrooms flanking a full-size bathroom, and the primary suite has direct access to the swim spa on the outdoor, wrap-around porch facing the lake. The property also includes two pools, one traditional pool and a year-round heated swim spa, as well as a tennis court surrounded by hedges.
The Guest House and Gardens
The guest house, also referred to as "The Pool House," retains more traditional cottage charm with cathedral ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace. Built in 1972, the 1,470-square-foot space includes four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a finished basement with office space and additional sleeping areas. The attached pool house structure offers a kitchen, bathroom, and entertainment space. The property’s gardens feature native Michigan plants, including oriental grasses, blueberries, and hydrangeas, and have earned a nomination for the 2024 Saugatuck area garden tour.
Location and Investment Potential
The estate is located in Fennville, but within minutes of Saugatuck’s restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Local wineries and blueberry farms are nearby, and the property’s location in a sought-after area makes it a potential investment for luxury vacation rentals. Michigan’s riparian rights mean that the 217 feet of beach frontage remains private, preventing public access, and short-term rentals are permitted in Fennville. According to Isljamovski, the Saugatuck area is similar to San Francisco, offering a unique blend of luxury and ultra-privateness.
