NEWS

Historic Upper Peninsula estate, Granot Loma, for sale at $40 million

Located 15 miles north of Marquette, Granot Loma, a historic 26,000 square-foot Adirondack lodge that boasts a 60-foot-long great room, 23 bedrooms, 24-foot vaulted ceilings, 26 fireplaces, 13 baths, a wine cellar, vault and rugged Lake Superior views, is for sale with a listing price of $40 million, making the complex and its 7.76 square miles of property the most expensive residential real estate for sale in Michigan.
Located 15 miles north of Marquette, Granot Loma, a historic 26,000 square-foot Adirondack lodge that boasts a 60-foot-long great room, 23 bedrooms, 24-foot vaulted ceilings, 26 fireplaces, 13 baths, a wine cellar, vault and rugged Lake Superior views, is for sale with a listing price of $40 million, making the complex and its 7.76 square miles of property the most expensive residential real estate for sale in Michigan.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
A piece by Northern Michigan University sculptor Dale Wedig stands at the entrance to the lodge property. The sprawling estate was built from 1919 to 1923 by 400 Scandinavian craftsmen at a cost of $5 million by financier Louis Graveraet Kaufman.
A piece by Northern Michigan University sculptor Dale Wedig stands at the entrance to the lodge property. The sprawling estate was built from 1919 to 1923 by 400 Scandinavian craftsmen at a cost of $5 million by financier Louis Graveraet Kaufman.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
“When I first saw this place, I thought it was the most unique place ever,” said Granot Loma owner Tom Baldwin, a Chicago bond trader who bought the place in 1987 for $4.2 million and lives there with Karen McDonnell.
“When I first saw this place, I thought it was the most unique place ever,” said Granot Loma owner Tom Baldwin, a Chicago bond trader who bought the place in 1987 for $4.2 million and lives there with Karen McDonnell.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
The 60-foot-long great room boasts a 24-foot vaulted ceiling and a massive stone fireplace with an 18-foot mantle salvaged from a shipwreck.
The 60-foot-long great room boasts a 24-foot vaulted ceiling and a massive stone fireplace with an 18-foot mantle salvaged from a shipwreck.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
One of nine staterooms, this one includes original rugs. All 23 bedrooms feature views of Lake Superior.
One of nine staterooms, this one includes original rugs. All 23 bedrooms feature views of Lake Superior.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
The unique log lodge was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1991. Granot Loma (gra’-not low’-ma) is a combination of the names of original owner Louis Kaufman’s three children — Louis, Graveraet and Otto — and his wife, Marie.
The unique log lodge was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1991. Granot Loma (gra’-not low’-ma) is a combination of the names of original owner Louis Kaufman’s three children — Louis, Graveraet and Otto — and his wife, Marie.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
A well-equipped bar overlooks Lake Superior.
A well-equipped bar overlooks Lake Superior.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
Thousands of logs, shipped from Oregon and wrapped in burlap, were used in the building of Granot Loma.
Thousands of logs, shipped from Oregon and wrapped in burlap, were used in the building of Granot Loma.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
A portrait of silent film star Mary Pickford peeks out from one of the 26 fireplaces. The stone work was created to honor the actress after she visited the estate.
A portrait of silent film star Mary Pickford peeks out from one of the 26 fireplaces. The stone work was created to honor the actress after she visited the estate.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
The media room at Granot Loma features a stone fireplace and a huge screen on the north wall.
The media room at Granot Loma features a stone fireplace and a huge screen on the north wall.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
Paintings by Hollywood costume designer Orry Kelly, then an aspiring artist Louis Graveraet Kaufman hired to paint at his estate, pepper the walls of the western-themed mansion. Kaufman had an interest in Native Americans, and was reportedly part-Indian himself.
Paintings by Hollywood costume designer Orry Kelly, then an aspiring artist Louis Graveraet Kaufman hired to paint at his estate, pepper the walls of the western-themed mansion. Kaufman had an interest in Native Americans, and was reportedly part-Indian himself.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
Scandinavian craftsmen who built the estate carved animals and fish into its woodwork.
Scandinavian craftsmen who built the estate carved animals and fish into its woodwork.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
Granot Loma owner Tom Baldwin stands in the south wing where bedrooms and baths are located.
Granot Loma owner Tom Baldwin stands in the south wing where bedrooms and baths are located.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
A cozy sitting nook resides inside the 18-foot-long stone fireplace in the Great Room.
A cozy sitting nook resides inside the 18-foot-long stone fireplace in the Great Room.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
A closet contains keys, a list of rooms and a list of locks for the old lodge.
A closet contains keys, a list of rooms and a list of locks for the old lodge.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
More than 50 animal mounts decorate the great room. Since its purchase, Tom Baldwin spent $4 million and 18 months restoring the huge lodge.
More than 50 animal mounts decorate the great room. Since its purchase, Tom Baldwin spent $4 million and 18 months restoring the huge lodge.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
Owner Tom Baldwin stands near a 1900 Brunswick pool table.
Owner Tom Baldwin stands near a 1900 Brunswick pool table.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
A baby grand piano, painted in the colors of Granot Loma, was reportedly played by George Gershwin, a frequent visitor to the lodge.
A baby grand piano, painted in the colors of Granot Loma, was reportedly played by George Gershwin, a frequent visitor to the lodge.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
Tom Baldwin shows off a vault door installed by financier Louis Graveraet Kaufman to store booze during Prohibition.
Tom Baldwin shows off a vault door installed by financier Louis Graveraet Kaufman to store booze during Prohibition.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
A listing of stored booze is still on the wall inside a vault in the cellar which Kaufman stocked with every bottle of liquor he could find before Prohibition began.
A listing of stored booze is still on the wall inside a vault in the cellar which Kaufman stocked with every bottle of liquor he could find before Prohibition began.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
This Orry Kelly painting features the face of Louis Graveraet Kaufman.
This Orry Kelly painting features the face of Louis Graveraet Kaufman.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
An eagle carved from a tree trunk guards the entrance to the kitchen.
An eagle carved from a tree trunk guards the entrance to the kitchen.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
Situated on a peninsula jutting into Lake Superior, the complex includes a private harbor and a 3,000-gallon hot tub installed by Baldwin.
Situated on a peninsula jutting into Lake Superior, the complex includes a private harbor and a 3,000-gallon hot tub installed by Baldwin.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
“It’s the last of the Adirondack lodges to be built, and is reported to be the largest log cabin in the world, definitely in the United States,” Baldwin said.
“It’s the last of the Adirondack lodges to be built, and is reported to be the largest log cabin in the world, definitely in the United States,” Baldwin said.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
Besides the main structure, the property also features a farm with 13 buildings, including two residences, a pool, outbuildings and a huge barn for livestock.
Besides the main structure, the property also features a farm with 13 buildings, including two residences, a pool, outbuildings and a huge barn for livestock.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
Granot Loma Farm grew food for the lodge and its residents. Property taxes for the estate run about $55,000 a year.
Granot Loma Farm grew food for the lodge and its residents. Property taxes for the estate run about $55,000 a year.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
A 1959 Dodge pickup truck shares farmland with other machinery. "It still runs,' said owner Tom Baldwin. "All it needs is brakes."
A 1959 Dodge pickup truck shares farmland with other machinery. "It still runs,' said owner Tom Baldwin. "All it needs is brakes."
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
The guest house features four apartments designed and built in the Adirondack style that uses native building materials from the mountains of New York, such as logs, bark, roots and burls, along with granite or quartz fieldstone. The use of native materials not only promoted a natural appearance but also cut the cost of construction.
The guest house features four apartments designed and built in the Adirondack style that uses native building materials from the mountains of New York, such as logs, bark, roots and burls, along with granite or quartz fieldstone. The use of native materials not only promoted a natural appearance but also cut the cost of construction.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
A Tiffany clock crowns the barn, although Baldwin said he’s had trouble getting it in working order.
A Tiffany clock crowns the barn, although Baldwin said he’s had trouble getting it in working order.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
A wind turbine helps power Granot Loma.
A wind turbine helps power Granot Loma.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
A pool house sits silent on the grounds.
A pool house sits silent on the grounds.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
The surrounding 5,100 acres of woodlands and trails are full of game such as white-tail deer, moose and beaver. There are two blue-ribbon trout streams that have a great Steelhead run each fall.
The surrounding 5,100 acres of woodlands and trails are full of game such as white-tail deer, moose and beaver. There are two blue-ribbon trout streams that have a great Steelhead run each fall.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
The quarters that housed the working staff sits inland from the main lodge, it is estimated up to 200 employees worked the lodge and adjacent farm when everything was fully operational.
The quarters that housed the working staff sits inland from the main lodge, it is estimated up to 200 employees worked the lodge and adjacent farm when everything was fully operational.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
Granot Loma's guest register was first signed by financier Louis Graveraet Kaufman, followed by his wife in 1928 at the lodge's house-warming party.
Granot Loma's guest register was first signed by financier Louis Graveraet Kaufman, followed by his wife in 1928 at the lodge's house-warming party.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell
“When I listed Granot Loma, it immediately became the most-viewed listing in the Unites States on Realtor.com.... and the top listing in Michigan,” said Bob Sullivan, owner of Marquette’s Northern Michigan Land Brokers.
“When I listed Granot Loma, it immediately became the most-viewed listing in the Unites States on Realtor.com.... and the top listing in Michigan,” said Bob Sullivan, owner of Marquette’s Northern Michigan Land Brokers.
Special To The Detroit News/John L. Russell