Grrrrrowl…. It’s time for some serious partying in this 7,000 s.f., 1979 time capsule house in Sturgis, Michigan. The decor is haught-1970s funk on the cusp of 1980s disco. There are bars… gambling machines… an indoor swimming pool… an indoor sauna… and yes: that tiger! Thanks to all the readers who sent me this time capsule tip, and to listing agent Dennis Bamber of Cressy & Everett Real Estate and Randy Mason of Next Door Photos Michiana for permission to feature the listing and photos in our forever-fantabulous Retro Renovation Archive of more than 100 time capsule houses of all varieties!
From this listing:
CREATE YOUR OWN MAGICAL KINGDOM IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY HOUSE! Sitting on almost 2 acres, this unique property offers you an opportunity to have an estate LIKE NO OTHER! With over 5,000 sq ft on each floor, numerous skylights, and creative architecture, THIS HOME WAS DESIGNED FOR LUXURY, ENTERTAINING, & LIVING LIFE TO ITS FULLEST! Featuring four large bedrooms on the main floor, large open kitchen-dining area & connected to your very own game room with huge indoor swimming pool, dressing rooms, sauna & additional kitchen. The garage will handle several cars, all your toys, & even a motor home. Home has been vacant for a few years, and will need some work, updating, and TLC. Once finished, it is ready for LIVING LARGE!
$375,000
From the outside you would never suspect…
Oh the glamorama to be found inside…
As I said: Grrrrrrrowl….
Sturgis is not far from Kalamazoo — is it possible that Elvis hid out here?….
Vintage Poggenpohl Kitchen Cabinets
Even the Kitchen is Fabulous!…
Update: After I wrote this story, I heard from reader Alan who wrote:
Pam –
I enjoy seeing your posts each week. This week was not exception. I was tickled to see the Sturgis time capsule house and delighted to see the kitchen with classic Poggenpohl cabinets. Last year I was fortunate to acquire a set of these cabinets to install in my 1972 raised ranch in Baltimore.
My house and I are midcentury wanttobes. The other houses on my street are true midcentury houses…mine not so much.
Thanks for inspiring and entertaining me each week.
Alan
You’re very welcome, Alan — and thank YOU for identifying these cabinets! And of course, we’d love to see the Poggenpohls you salvaged when they get installed in your kitchen!
I tend to think that in the 1970s, the quality of many materials and products manufactured for use in our homes started to diminish significantly, as manufacturers turned to lower-priced materials, production methods and just plain ole despicable “planned obsolescence.” The 1970s were real boom years in terms of housing construction, including multi-family units, in the U.S. Could be: Manufacturers (1) really needed to crank stuff out, (2) they could scrimp on quality because demand was so great, and (3) consumers didn’t fuss about quality as much because they were so much wealthier than before World War II or the first few decades thereafter, when material availability was still constrained.
But, these Poggenpohl kitchen cabinets — which seem to have been made in Germany — likely were built to last — as I said: high-end.
Other name brands from the 1980s and into the 1990s that I remember as being up-market were: Smallbone… Wood-Mode… and of course, St. Charles continued in business into the early 2000s.
Back to this fabulous house: But of course: Metallic wallpaper…
Downstairs… Let’s shoot some pool…
Time for a dip…
Then… a sauna and hot tub, baby…
Nap time!
Of course, there’s stuff outside, too. But. Why. Would. You. Ever. Go. Outside.
Link love:
April says
This house is so retro fab it just oozes sexy seventies flavor. How about that drafting table in the dining area, you think they were the architect of this home? Nevermind the metallic wallpaper, did you see that 8 track tape hi-fi deck and push button mission control console in the bathroom!
Cheryl Anne Groth says
Oh…please…no updating! No gray walls, puhleaze! Don’t tear the soul out of this divine home…This is luxury time travel at its best!
Tegan says
I have almost identical striped carpet in my basement. Everyone has a strong reaction: either “when are you getting rid of that?” or “you can’t get rid of that!” Nice to know the approximate age. I also have the wood-paneled walls and curved wood panel bar.