Built on a knoll that inspired its design sits a house of stone overlooking Lake Michigan, its architect Earl Young called it home for over 30 years. Young designed and built this mushroom house and he chose the best spot in Charlevoix to do so! You will feel like you’re at a private retreat on your back deck up two stories high. See the sky changing colors from the front window and hear the lake rolling too, 2 gas fireplaces, original layout, tile work and Young’s original dining table!
The space
The reviews speak for themselves! The most beautifully finished mushroom house. Original unaltered design. Guests describe it as a living work of art. Across the street from Lake Michigan Beach with the famous red lighthouse where you can walk everywhere!!! Boutiques, restaurants and bars are all only a couple block walk. Parks are close by at the beach and library. As our guests have said: "completely ideal setting".
The house is a work of art, a gallery that sits on one of Charlevoix’s highest bluffs. A house unlike any other you have seen. This is the final house Earl Young built for himself and his wife Irene after he mastered the art of building with stone. There are many unique details that Young added throughout. It sits in a U shape with one bedroom (two twin beds) and its bathroom on one end of the U, and two bedrooms (one queen and one king bedroom) with a bathroom in between on the other end of the U. The queen bedroom is a walkthrough space to get to the back king bedroom. The back deck is private, sheltered from the wind and 3 stories above the street as if it’s hovering in the trees!
We offer our guests all that you need during your stay to make it as relaxing and worry-free as possible. Fully equipped kitchen with a Nespresso, many spices, cloth napkins and all your cooking needs; new linens and beach towels; Samsung Frame smart television with Spectrum Cable; Sonos, high speed WiFi; and 2 original fireplaces framed in gorgeous stone makes it feel like a fairy tale. You won’t want to leave since you can see Lake Michigan right out the huge front window! Or go out the back door to the third story deck featuring Fermob furniture for a tree top retreat!
Availability: This house books quickly. If you don't see the dates that you are looking for but appreciate the design and immaculate care given to our cottage please click on our profile picture to see all 10 cottages in downtown Charlevoix. We are happy to host you at any!
Lastly we would like to share a review from March that one of our guests wrote that we think perfectly sums up our home.
This place is simply UNREAL. I'm extremely OCD/germaphobic, so my definition of clean is a bit unrealistic. But this place was truly SPOTLESS, and absolutely perfect in every detail. The home is stunning, and truly extraordinary...a genuine living piece of art and history. Every inch of the home is pristine, and very well set-up for an easy and relaxed experience.
Everything is so thoughtful, the Nespresso, fully stocked with every flavor imaginable and sugar/sweetener, pretty much everything at your fingertips.
The king bed is CRAZY comfy, as are the pillows and blankets. Sparkling clean, but lush and soft and just delightful. Really nice towels, sheets...every amenity is high end. The decor is gorgeous - streamlined but rich and elegant and just lovely.
The location is unreal. You are truly within a few feet of the water, but protected by a wooded area, so the walk to the beach is minutes. It is quiet and insulated, for a genuinely peaceful experience. You can walk down Park Avenue to several lovely restaurants for carry- out or dine-in, steps from the most charming little downtown area, but distant enough that it's downright bucolic.
The highlights of the home are the beautiful fireplace and the outdoor deck area. The fireplace puts off so much warmth, the room is enormous, but so well laid out, it manages to be open and expansive but also cozy. On our one rainy day we just had a movie marathon in that lovely, restful, snug room...precious family time. The back porch is just charming, with a very unique design, cozy and private but picturesque...simply gorgeous.
The value is extraordinary, this home is spacious and comfortable and just so special. It feels like the quality of the original 50s materials, but somehow with no wear and tear. It's quality + clean + artistry = magic.
Other things to note
Why Charlevoix? Because this 2 mi² city will steal your heart.
Detroit Home Magazine- Charlevoix, best place for a vacation home. 2007
US Harbor- Best Harbor in the US, 2021
Forbes Magazine- Charlevoix, one of America's prettiest towns. 2011
Yachting Magazine- Charlevoix, 2nd BEST yachting town in the WORLD. 2011
American Planning Association- East Park one of top 10 great public spaces in AMERICA. 2009
Michigan Downtown Conference- Charlevoix, community of the year.
National Arbor Day Foundation-Tree City USA for 19 consecutive years.
USA Today- Lake Charlevoix voted 2nd best lake in the UNITED STATES.
Expedia, global travel company- Charlevoix is the #1 place to travel in the WORLD in the month of October. 2018
Pure Michigan- #1 place to visit in the state of Michigan on the pure Michigan summer bucket list. Visit the mushroom houses.
USA Today readers- Charlevoix voted 2nd place best midwestern small town.
Charlevoix voted 2nd best small town in Michigan by a Michigan Poll.
House Beautiful- Charlevoix voted #2 best charming American town worth taking a road trip to.
Chicago Tribune -Charlevoix one of top places to visit in the Midwest 2020.
Northern Michigan named top travel destination in the WORLD for outdoor enthusiasts in 2020 by a national travel travel publication.
Ski Magazine- Mt. McSauba top 3 small ski areas in the UNITED STATES.
Oprah Winfrey- Charlevoix #7 small vacation towns you must visit.
Golf Digest- Belvedere Golf Club is one of the top 100 golf courses in the United States and the 2016 Michigan golf course of the year.
2nd oldest juried art fair in the state, candle light hikes at McSauba, Venetian Fest, Applefest, New Years Bridge Drop, skiing, ice skating, world class shopping and resturants, crystal clear water, numerous golf courses, beautiful tennis courts, marathon, Santa Parade, concerts in the park, fishing charters, sunset cruises, the light house, mushroom houses!
