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Location: Harsens Island, Michigan
A lawyer and her husband, who was retiring from a major auto manufacturer, had purchased a fisherman’s cottage on Harsens Island, located on the St. Clair River. Ekocite Architecture originally designed a detached, two-car garage for the couple’s cottage. However, with retirement on the horizon, the couple decided to replace their cottage with a larger home. Harsens Island has many Victorian-style houses, a style the owners wanted for their new home.
The couple found a design and floor plans they liked from an architecture stylebook. However, the generic plans did not take advantage of their St. Clair river view. Working with the clients, Ekocite reworked the plans and drawings to take advantage of their location. Tearing down the original cottage, a new 2.5-story Victorian-style home was built in its place. Because they loved their old cottage, they incorporated it into their new home by using the wood for the floors. A perch was also added so the couple could watch the passing freighters. It’s a beloved Michigan pastime.
Included in the project:
- A 2.5-story Victorian-style house with a perch on top for the river view.
- House designed with two master suites in case health is a future issue.
- Main-level master suite.
- Second-floor master suite.
- Two additional upstairs bedrooms.
- Kitchen, laundry room and 2.5 baths.
- Large wraparound porch.
- Attached two-car garage.
- Detached garage now used for boat storage and boat accessories.
Have a retirement home in mind? Or maybe just a new home?
Contact us know. We’d love to talk to you about it.