• Existing 2,100 square foot, 2-story house built in the 1940’s
• 50’x150′ lot in downtown Traverse City, MI
• City Water/Sewer
• Detached 2-car garage

The planning of the Oak Street House began in 2017 and was envisioned by the owners as a 3rd story ‘Crows Nest’ with a rooftop patio, giving them the best views of the downtown Traverse City Area. The 6,000 square-foot, 8-bedroom home stands tall amongst the neighboring more traditional style homes. The construction started in January 2018 and was completed in November 2018.

Before the owner’s dreams were realized, it took planning and inspection in order to move forward. The previous existing house had been used as a non-conforming two dwelling unit, as it had multiple kitchens and living spaces. When the house was inspected, it was determined that it had multiple additions that created multiple structural issues, including failing foundations, sagging roof trusses, and termite infestation. Because of the aggressive rebuild to maximize livable space in the highly desirable downtown district, it was determined that the house needed to be demolished.

The local ordinance allows for a 45% lot coverage, which we maximized by fulfilling the owner’s vision of this property. The City ordinance allows up to a 35′ high structure, which was easily achievable by using a flat roof system, while also allowing the owners to put in a roof-top deck, complete with a full bar and stellar views of the surrounding area. The owner also wanted the feeling of an attached garage, without losing backyard area. After research, it was determined that an ordinance had been adopted to allow connection to an existing garage, located outside the principal residence setbacks, could be accessed through a ‘mudroom’ which could not exceed 100 square-feet in area. In connecting the existing garage to the the new house, it also created a protected and private backyard setting.

• 6,000 square feet, 3 stories, attached 2 car garage
• 2,400 square-foot basement with 9′ walls
• 1,600 square-foot rooftop patio
• 8 bedrooms, 8 full bathrooms, 4 half-bathrooms
• 10′ ceilings on main level, 9′ on 2nd and 3rd levels

• Exposed Brazilian Teak soffits
• Door canopies with lighting that offer accent and functionality
• Hardi-Panel siding with custom metal detail to give panels a 3-D look
• Custom fabricated steel cable railing along rooftop balcony
• Custom Brazilian Team facade with lighted address sign
• Crows Nest has full bar, accordion window, outdoor covered entertainment area, and full-view garage door opening to rooftop deck
• Motorized blinds throughout
• 12-zone throughout home speaker system
• State of the art Kohler DTV+ shower
• Each bedroom has its own private bathroom