Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, the village of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin was once one of the most popular resort communities in the Midwest. At the turn of the 20th century, its dramatic landscape and close proximity to Milkwaukee made Whitefish Bay a desirable escape from the bustle of city life. Today, it leads the state as the best city to live in Wisconsin. It’s here, in this picture-perfect town, that we find this historic luxury home.
Historic Luxury Home
Herman Uihlein, heir to the Schlitz brewery fortune, built this palatial dream home between 1917 and 1919. At the time, the $500,000.00 price tag, roughly $11 million today, was astronomical. Throughout the build, Uihlein spared no expense. To prevent damage during shipping, large blocks of stone were carved on site. The interior features 8 different marbles. Moreover, he commissioned famed artisan Cyril Colnick to create the ornate ironwork, a project that took three years to complete.
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Every homeowner since Herman Uihlein has been a careful steward of this property. As such, the original beauty of this historic luxury home remains today. Indeed, it is not surprising to learn it is still one of the most expensive homes in the Milwaukee area.
Furthermore, in 1983, the National Register of Historic Places added the Herman Uihlein residence to its listings, citing the building’s historical significance for architecture and engineering.
Palatial Interior
Designed in the Italian Renaissance style, this historic luxury home offers 13,717 square feet with nine bedrooms and eight baths, six full and two partial. The abundance of formal entertaining rooms hearkens back to a bygone era. From the gilded living room to the paneled dining hall to the special tea room, hosting guests hits another level! Not to mention the modern media room, capable of comfortably entertaining 15 guests. And fear not, the newly-renovated kitchen, complete with breakfast bar and butler’s pantry, is well-equipped and ready for visitors. Moreover, the wine cellar/grotto makes a great home for any oenophile’s collection.
However, what catches the eye most are the little details that make this dream home a treasure. Intricate, inlaid designs accent sparkling marble floors. Gilded embellishments on the walls and ceilings create a palatial vibe. And the ornate ironwork, detailed murals and expert woodworking display the incredible level of skill of the craftsman who made this historic luxury home so memorable.
Park-like Grounds
Located on a three acre parcel on a bluff above Lake Michigan, this dream home was wisely built on the back of the lot providing not only a beautiful view but an extra degree of privacy. The winding, gated driveway leads to a parking courtyard accented with a brick paver design. But the focal point of the front yard is surely the lengthy garden pool and fountains.
Overlooking the water, the rear of the house has numerous terraces for relaxing with a stunning view of Lake Michigan. Mature trees provide privacy from neighboring properties. And a path meanders down the terraced hill directly to the water. Just a few steps will have you enjoying the crisp waters!
Looking to own a piece of Midwest history? This iconic piece of Milwaukee architecture would make a stunning addition to any real estate collection.
Address: 5270 N. Lake Drive Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin 53217
Mahler Sotheby’s International Realty lists this dream home with an asking price of $7,500,000.
