Grand Haven, MI
Secluded and comfortable haven on Lake Michigan bluff s.
W
hen homeowner Marge Potter was young, she vividly
remembers walking the Lake Michigan shore in Grand
Haven, pointing up to a homey cottage perched on the bluff
and thinking, “That’s the most wonderful place in the world.”
In 1987, Potter and her husband Paul purchased that very
home — a five-bedroom, 100-year-old cottage — and settled
right in. Sitting on 11 acres and overlooking 503 feet of Lake
Michigan water frontage, the home is a private, scenic haven.
“It’s beautifully constructed,” Potter says. “You get all
the fairy tale possibilities of an older place on the lake, but
with all the modern amenities.”
The Potters completely updated the home about four years
ago: The lower level now features a bedroom, sitting area and
full bathroom; the main level includes the kitchen, dining
and living rooms, two bedrooms and 2.5 baths; and the top
floor houses two guest rooms, a half bath and a “secret room.”
“No adults know how to get in there,” Potter laughs. “Only
children under 8 can magically enter through a bookcase.”
Guests love the quirky, hanging bed in the guest room,
Potter says. It’s made out of the home’s original beams andsways gently; giving the sensation you’re outside on a porch,
listening to the lap of waves.
The heart of the home — the living room — is original
and the previous owners used it as a changing house. In the
center of the room lies a large, three-story cooking fireplace,
complete with a baking shelf and cast iron holder for pots.
“It’s got fabulous ambiance,” Potter says.
Potter enjoys creating puzzles with her grandkids on the
table in the sunroom, but her favorite part of the home is
outside underneath the pergola in the courtyard, just off
the living room. It has incredible character: The pergola is
covered in wisteria; there’s a grand fireplace; and some of
the first electric streetlights from Detroit line the walkways.
Serene landscaping, an outdoor shower, a private hot
tub, and large, lakeside decks round out the outstanding
exterior features of his West Michigan retreat. Best of all,
the lake is only 38 steps down.
“The home is very comfortable,” Potter explains. “It’s
conducive to conversation, playing games and being able
to have a panoramic view of the water.” ★MORE
INFORMATIONAddress
13537 Lakeshore Dr.
Grand Haven, MI 49417Specs
Bedrooms: 5
Baths: 4 full, 1 half
Square Footage: 3,688
Acreage: 11.3
Water frontage: 503.5 feet
Price: $7,250,000Contact
Andrea Crossman
Andrea Crossman Group
616-355-6387
WATERFRONT-
LUXURYHOMES.COMby Kate BushLAKESHORE LIFE
50 SEPTEMBER 2016 | LAKELANDBOATING.COMLL_GrandHaven_SEP16.indd 50 7/27/16 10:48 AM