MARINE CITY, MI – It looks like a real life dollhouse. This historic Victorian mansion and bed and breakfast has hit the market for $749,900. It’s the MLive dream home of the week where we feature a dreamy property every Wednesday.
Located at 409 North Main Street in Marine City just south of St. Clair along the St. Clair river, the 3-story, 8,000 square foot home, known as “The Heather House,” has views of Canada.
Built in 1885, the home was converted into a bed and breakfast in 1991. There’s six guest suites with a separate owner suite as an optional seventh suite. Additionally, there’s a 1,500 square foot unfinished third floor with a cathedral-style ceiling, stained glass and open floorplan which could be turned into one or two more suites.
“It’s really an iconic property,” Michael Kuligowski with Signature Sotheby’s International Realty told MLive. “When you’re driving out of Downtown Marine City along the river, it’s right there on the left side. It smacks you in the face by how big it is. There’s not a lot of properties this big and this old that have stood the test of time. I grew up going to the river there and my parents and grandparents still live near this house. I love the home’s style and architecture.”
Mark & Helen Lally became the innkeepers of “The Heather House” in 2014. Kuligowski. says they are OK with whether the next owner decides to keep it going as a B&B or chooses to make it a large single-family home.
“They’re looking to retire and travel the country, so including all of the furnishings might be ideal for the next owner and if they want to continue it as a B&B, they can. It’s a massive property which they could also choose to have all to themselves. It would be an incredible home for someone who has a large family or has extended family or large groups over to visit.”
Kuligowski says the home just grabs your attention when you drive by it. He says it looks like a real life dollhouse.
“When you think about a dollhouse, this a real life-sized one with all of the cute little details you’d expect in real life. That’s the best way I can explain it. It’s so big and it’s so Victorian that you really liken it to a childhood dollhouse. It’s just something you have to see and it’s so unique to this area. It’s a one in a million property. It’s big and historic and everyone is wowed by it.”
Kuligowski says one of his favorite rooms is the chess room.
“The decorative hinges in the dining room are gorgeous. And then, there’s the chess room. It’s circular with curved windows. It’s a wonderful space. You can sit there and look at the river and watch the freighters go by.”
You can see the official listing to the home here and contact Michael Kuligowski with Signature Sotheby’s International Realty at 313-888-8800 or via email.
