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:
Jenn says
This house is AMAZING. I would love to move right in with my family. I imagine sprucing everything up with just a bit of polish, but keeping everything in period. I imagine the deck being refinished and furnished with outdoor lounge chairs and beautiful pots of plants. I hope someone moves in that will love it with all of it’s character.
Linda G says
I’m with you Jenn
Tristan Mckay says
Bargain for 375000 I wonder if the furniture is included? The Paul Evans cityscape bedroom furniture would take care of some of the mortgage!
Linda G says
I am sooooooo in loooooove
Carol says
I’m from the South, so “God Bless” the owner that couldn’t bear to leave their home. (abundance of ramps) They certainly didn’t stay because it was economical since the house was well cared for. It was simply home. I’m almost digging that violet carpet. I’d have to save a lot of the stripe carpet too. If someone stayed true to the MCM- 70’s, and made few modest changes, that house would be amazing.
Mary Elizabeth says
Wowza! The whole house is looking for an owner with ambition and money to fix it up and make everything work.
Linda G says
I have the ambition but not the $ but if I did what a wonderful project it would be to restore it to its fabulousness!!!! I envy the lucky people who get the opportunity(assuming they will keep the original flair!)
Neil says
I had to flush my eyes, after looking at these pics!
The only things missing from this scene are Charlie’s Angels on the tube and Donna Summer belting Hot Stuff.
AnnF says
I am seriously thinking of metallic wallpaper in one of my bathrooms, if they still make it, and if I can find one that isn’t so busy, that is. I kind of miss it.
Ronda Vallejo says
Oh, if only it wasn’t somewhere so cold! I’d pack my bags, load up the kids, and move in. 🙂
Linda K says
Sturgis is in a farming community with a population of about 11,000 – I grew up about an hour south of there but no longer live in the area. My sister lives at a nearby lake, and my niece was married at a church a couple of blocks away from this house in early January – temperatures throughout the wedding weekend were in the single digits. I was surprised that such a house exists in this town – it is totally out of character, in my opinion. Aside from the very nice lake properties (vacation homes mostly owned by people who live in Chicago), the rest of the housing looks to be early 1900’s. Any mid-century homes would still be considered “new.” This is certainly a unique property and definitely a product of its time. Thanks for featuring it.
Nikki says
I wish there were more kids (and older folks) who appreciate and work with an older home. Sadly, too many people (old and young) follow the current “grey” trend (grey walls, grey furniture, grey hued flooring) white kitchens with carrara marble (or quartz look-alike) and white subway tile backsplash. But take heart, this “trend” is on the way out (most last about 10 years – on the “coasts”, the heartland is a little slower to adopt. Anyone remember the “Tuscan” trend??) and it looks like black accents are coming in it’s place !
So sad to see so many lovely MCM (and even Victorian homes) made to look like the current trend. I’m not saying everything has to be kept unchanged, but a carefully curated age-appropriate look really pays homage to the house. But to each his/her own.
AnnF says
Nikki,
What’s the matter, you don’t like that institutional look that grey on grey gives?
Sarah says
I’m torn because I really love grey… but I also love authentic mid century. I end up having a lot of grey furniture, bedding, towels, curtains, etc. We have a peachy pink vintage tile bathroom and I think grey would be a good paint color but we haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
Jess says
We have a lovely pink bathroom on the warmer side, and grey is a perfect accent color! We did a darker grey for towels/rugs and light grey walls above the tile. I did a patterned shower curtain with the same accent colors and complimentary colors.