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:
Marta says
Noticed in photo 32 of the listing there are steel kitchen cabinets.
Marta says
Photo 36, I correct.
Fnarf says
If Elvis hid out there, it would have been in the form of a corpse, since he died in 1977 and this house was built in 1979.
Pam Kueber says
Yes, I know, but he was spotted in Kalamazoo in later years!
Robin, WA says
Nah, if Elvis visited here, there’d have to be a room for slot cars a la Graceland.
Carolyn says
Probably a bunch of zoning issues for my idea but it certainly would be great to rent out for corporate get-togethers. But first have tours and watch people walk around with their mouths hanging open!
OMG! Did you just hear that clunk?! My jaw hit the floor when I read $375k for this?! I figured there’s be at least one 1 in front of that figure.
When I read that 4 letter word “updating” but seeing a few ceiling panels missing and what looks like a lot of elbow grease & Spic ‘n’ Span to clean up – I’d only check the roof, foundation & mechanicals to make sure everything was in good operating condition.
Here’s a little more to the story (have a tissue ready):
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2018/02/unusual_house_in_sturgis_is_a.html
Diana says
Thank you for posting that link. I was curious about the back story. Once again, as someone who is used to California real estate prices, the price just blows me away.
Christine W says
Oh my goodness I’ll bet there were alot of fun parties in that house!
One could almost get lost in there…
Laura's Last Ditch Vintage Kitchenwares says
I live not too far from this. I’m thinking perhaps I should check if there is an open house. The whole thing is wonderful, but the kitchen is amazing! The local paper’s headline referenced a need for “updating” (yeah, right), but I’m glad to see the real estate agent got it right!
Lynn says
Is it only me, or did anyone else get misty-eyed at that bathroom shot that showed a toilet with grab bars on both sides? This house is about as far from my stylistic preferences as you could get. But whoever built this house was once hip, young, with it, a real party animal. And now? Beyond even the grab-bars-beside-the-toilet stage. Aging gracefully is the real work of later life, and frankly, it terrifies me. May we all learn somehow to do it.
Eliza says
yes, plus all the ramp additions. It was a good house for aging in place.
Carolyn says
When I saw the grab-bars, I thought “Dang! what the heck kinda parties were they throwing here?!” And the ramps make ACA compliant – (shrug?)
Jeff says
Such a thoughtful observation, thank you Lynn. Indeed, may we all learn how to handle those last years. It’s one of the last lessons that our parents teach us.
Brian says
You didn’t even mention the Paul Evans Cityscape beds!
Do they convey?
Pam Kueber says
I’ll have to look those beds up!
Amber says
Think of the swinging parties to be had here!
But yea, there looks to be an office setup in the living room area and a reception desk by the pool area. Wonder what was going on here.
AH says
Oh Pam- how could you miss showing the purple plush circular staircase? Yowzah!
Pam Kueber says
In the krazy of it all, missed it. Added it!
Gerry says
That place is crazy cool. In the real estate listing there is a photo that shows a bank of 4 or 5 telephones in the utility room next to the fuse panel…???
Only thing missing is a Brunswick two-lane bowling alley .
Hate to see it vacant…places like that tend to go downhill fast when no-one is keeping them up.
Paula says
I am pretty sure that is the control center for an alarm system. The old ones used phone lines.