Treasure Traverse City

On a quiet street, tucked back from the hustle and bustle of Grandview Parkway, an industrialchic house rises. Its characteristic metal and brick façade—along with its impressive 35-foot height—draws the eye in and makes passersby pause. With plenty of voluminous greenery outside the front door, the modern feel of the home is an intricate blend of angles and soft edges. “It’s kind of uncommon,” the homeowner says.

It certainly is uncommon in the best way. The eight-bed, eight-bath home is perfect for family get-togethers. “Each bedroom has its own full bathroom,” the homeowner shares. “We host family during the holidays.” Inside, the home is endlessly interesting with tall ceilings, touches of rustic brick, and eye-catching angles, a far cry from the previous home that occupied the lot.

“The existing home was a World War II-era home—maybe ‘40s or ‘50s,” the homeowner explains. “It was in bad shape, and the foundation was in a state of disrepair.” Renovation would have cost more time and money than a new build, so the homeowner decided to start from scratch.

There are many things that make this home unique, much of which is hidden until you cross the threshold. The best-kept secret is all the rooftop patio that offers bird’s eye views of downtown. “It’s the coolest place in the house,” the homeowner says. To access the rooftop space, you don’t even have to open a door; instead, with a press of a button, a small garage door rolls up to welcome you into the fresh air. “We liked the openness the garage door allows,” the homeowner explains. “It’s kind of modern.” Most of the time spent with family and friends is in the crow’s nest, which offers stellar views of downtown and a sliver of the bay. “Our families come up for the Fourth,” the homeowner says. “We watch the airshow during Cherry Festival. It’s also a great spot to watch the fireworks.” When the night gets too cold to remain outside, the party doesn’t have to stop. Inside, an open floor plan allows gatherings to spill over into multiple rooms.

We spend a lot of time in the kitchen,” the homeowner shares. “It’s very accommodating.” With dual ranges and seemingly endless granite countertops, the kitchen allows for even the biggest family feasts. A light brown brick wall lends warmth to the kitchen and complements the gray floors and dark cabinets.

The main living room is bathed in natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows and draws the eye up. It ticks all the boxes. “I’ve custom-built homes before,” the homeowner shares. “I built a home on the Torch River and one on Torch Lake.” By then, he knew exactly what he was looking to achieve in this house. “We didn’t use an interior designer. We knew what we liked.” This home was designed and built by the homeowner in ten months, using Traverse City labor and businesses to achieve both visual aesthetics and practicality.

Offsetting the cool tones are the vibrant wood accents catch the eye in the patio ceilings and the barstools. “It’s Brazilian ipe,” the homeowner explains. “It’s five times denser than maple. It’s similar to teak, and weathers quite well.” Durability is a theme throughout; steel railings and dark-colored, cushy furniture lend the home a unique and extremely livable air.

The basement also serves as a gathering spot, most notably, the theater room. “We use it quite a bit,” the homeowner says. Complete with a small wet bar and luxurious seating for the whole family, it rivals a trip to the cinema. “Lots of times, houses in Traverse City have ‘Michigan basements,’” the homeowner explains, referring to an extended crawlspace often found in homes across the state. “The walls are nine feet tall, so we have full use of the basement here.” With the inclusion of a full gym, spacious living areas, and enough bedrooms for the whole family, the house is an oasis.

Acubist’s dream, the house blends geometrical rigidity with all the comforts of a wellloved residence, something that isn’t often found in the city limits. “It’s a through-lot,” the homeowner says, “which isn’t common in Traverse City.” Their slice of paradise contains everything you could dream of (including an attached garage). The slate grays, rich blacks, and complementary colors make the home feel sleek, while the windows and rooftop access make it feel airy and light. Cool, recessed lighting illuminates the shining metal accents and slate gray and black furniture, but only when the sun isn’t streaming through the many windows and adding a sparkling touch. It’s the ultimate refuge. Plus, it’s within walking distance to the beach, the riverwalk, the Open Space, Clinch Marina, and some of downtown Traverse City’s quintessential hotspots: North Peak, Folgarelli’s, and GT Pie.

The homeowner and his family have spent four years enjoying all the region has to offer. However, priorities have shifted; “Our daughter just turned one,” the homeowner says proudly. “I was raised on a small farm outside of Fife Lake and my wife was raised in Cadillac, so we want to get back out into country living.” Their new residence will be in serene Suttons Bay, where they are aiming to complete their new custom home in early fall. “We just put in nine acres of vines last year, and we’re doing twenty-five acres this year and start a little vineyard there,” the homeowner shares. While they don’t have vineyard experience, the family has partnered with a local winery and are learning to tend to their new slice of paradise with the hopes of one day opening a tasting room on-site.

The family might be leaving their modern, industrial home in the city for a quaint farm, but the house has served its purpose well. “It was very nice while it lasted,” the homeowner says. “We are extremely blessed to have lived in this home, but it’s time for us to move onto our next chapter.”

Todd And Brad Reed Photography

A Michign Spring

by Todd Reed

Nothing shows us more beautifully that Spring has arrived in Northern Michigan than the woodlands coming to life. It seems there are new visual discoveries to be made at every turn. I spotted trillium blooming at the base of a tree trunk along M22 near Empire.

toddandbradreed.com