Situated on 3.5 acres along the shore of Lake Michigan, this 15,000 sq ft residence is at the leading-edge of modernism. Positioned on a 400-ft-wide east facing bluff the home features breathtaking views of the lakefront horizon.
This single-story masonry and steel residence stretches more than 180 feet in length and 80 feet in width. A custom floor-to-ceiling window wall design provides stunning vistas throughout. The home’s linear architecture is accentuated by the selection of oversized Roman bricks that measure 21 inches long by 1.5 inches tall. The brickwork was handmade using historic waterstruck fabrication methods in Denmark.
The five-bedroom home features a primary bedroom wing, a guest bedroom wing, great room with entry hall, fireplace and a 12.5-foot ceiling, open-plan kitchen, dining room, family room, piano room, study, and an elevator. Built-in millwork designed with reconstituted rift white oak was used throughout. A full-length lower level of the home features a 12-seat theater, an additional guest suite, a recreation room, and storage and mechanical rooms. The terrace features an outdoor kitchen, dining area, lounge area, spa and a full-sized inground pool. The extensive property was contoured and landscaped with native plantings, and the restored bluff features a new funicular lift system that travels down to a private beach at the waterfront below.
Fully exposed to the elements, this bluff location required extensive restoration to the land. Working with consultants, new engineering approaches were designed and implemented to restructure the vulnerable waterfront and stabilize the tableland. Lakefront erosion has been increasing due to record high water levels throughout the last decade. The increasing height of wave activity deteriorated the protective sand dunes at the shoreline threatening instability of the bluff.
The completed project took three years for Goldberg General Contracting to construct. The residence was designed by Robbins Architecture. The interiors were designed by Andrea Goldman Design. The landscape was designed by Mariani Landscape.
