‘Nicest House on the Lake’: This $12.5M Mansion Is Michigan’s Most Expensive Home

A sweet lake house on the market for $12.5 million is the most expensive home in all of Michigan.

The 16,000-square-foot house is in Charlevoix, MI—a small town in the upper reaches of the state that markets itself as “Charlevoix the Beautiful.”

Built in 2009, the grand mansion on Lake Charlevoix features seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms.

The effort behind the home’s construction was no small feat.

“It took about five years to build, and the decor has been imported from all over the world,” says the listing agent, Rik Lobenherz, praising the craftsmanship and finishes in the residence.

The ornate wooden bar in the family room was imported from Malaysia in sections, and reassembled. Attention to detail is obvious in the home’s grand staircase, which spirals its way between floors, with lots of windows around it.

Despite its enormous size, the house doesn’t feel unpleasantly large.

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“Each of the rooms are set up so they’re very comfortable,” Lobenherz says. “You don’t feel like you’re in a mansion as such. The rooms are very cozy, and there are eight fireplaces, so it’s just a very comfortable, homey feeling.”

Most living spaces and each bedroom offer water views, with numerous windows in place to take advantage of the waterfront setting.

The kitchen is spacious, with a large island and high-end appliances.

“The owner loves to cook, so it even has its own pizza oven. There’s nothing that’s missing,” Lobenherz says.

For entertaining, there’s a game room, a bar area, a theater room, and a large wine cellar. Adjusting everything from the heat to the lighting in the home is easy.

“It’s a smart house, so everything can be controlled remotely,” Lobenherz explains.

Beyond the smart home features, the agent says the home will only require a minimum of effort to bring it up to date.

The current owners have lived in the house full-time, but they are looking to downsize. The furnishings are not included in the list price, but could be negotiated into a deal.

The house sits behind gates on 3 acres of land, with 195 feet of waterfront on Lake Charlevoix. The orientation of the house on the lot provides views looking down the length of the lake.

“It’s probably one of the better locations on Lake Charlevoix, which is a very coveted lake that is connected to the Great Lakes. You can go anywhere in the world on your boat from there,” Lobenherz says.

To handle an owner’s vessel, there’s a 400-foot pier.

There isn’t a pool, but Lobenherz notes that the entire lake is there to swim in. A stream with waterfalls runs along the side of the house.

The house’s lower level has several walkouts to the lake, with plenty of indoor-outdoor living options. A huge stone fireplace is the perfect place to spend an outdoor evening.

Guests have a large garage, with a spacious apartment above it.

“It’s beautiful. It would be the only bedroom area that doesn’t face the water, since it’s above a four-car garage, but it has its own kitchen and its own living room. I could live there,” Lobenherz jokes.

As for who is the perfect buyer for this house?

“If they’re looking for the nicest house on the lake, this is the one they should be looking at,” the agent says.

• For more photos and details, check out the full listing.
• Homes for sale in Charlevoix, MI
• Learn more about Charlevoix, MI

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