Referred to as "A Showplace of the North" by the Vilas County News in the publication's December 8, 1926 edition, the 7,400+ square foot historic Edward Kelly Residence is one of the most famous properties on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes and is scheduled for auction by Micoley.com on June 28th.
Designed by Canadian architect Francis Conroy Sullivan, who was a student of the prolific and lauded American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, construction of the historic home began in 1928. The home, built for Chicago's Mayor Edward J. Kelly, took four years to complete.
Keeping his admiration for the distinctly Midwestern Prairie School architectural style in mind, as well as Mayor Kelly's Chicago roots and lifestyle, Sullivan designed what would become a truly one-of-a-kind addition to the already stunning Eagle River community. The Edward Kelly Residence serves as a tribute to the Mayor and to the beautiful region with which it seamlessly blends and also perfectly represents.
The Vilas County property, built by Herman Korth & Son Construction, offers homeowners a substantial dash of history with all the thoughtful touches and comforts of home.
A key feature that makes the residence stand out in the Eagle River area is its use of durable California redwood -- historic in its own right -- as its primary construction material, which was all shipped in directly from California, specifically for the Kelly home.
The home's impressive interior features include a large floor-to-ceiling fireplace, made with native stone, a large formal dining room and adjacent living room area, 7-bedrooms, two screened-in sunrooms, 5 full baths and 3 half baths, a bright and inviting kitchen, and a butler's pantry.
Classic film fans and history buffs will appreciate Mayor Kelly's projection room, which still contains the original projectors. Mayor Kelly used the projection room to preview movies that would eventually be shown in Chicago before their release. As an added bonus for movie lovers -- particularly horror aficionados -- the 1978 Hollywood movie, "Damien: Omen II," starring Lee Grant and William Holden, was filmed at the estate.
Always keeping his mayoral responsibilities in mind, even while at his comfortable Eagle River home, Mayor Kelly kept a radio in his Kelly residence office where he recorded all of his speeches. The radio is still in the office.
As a rare bonus, the beautifully preserved original furnishings are still in place throughout the Kelly home, including a pristine baby grand piano; further reflecting the care that has gone into maintaining the integrity of this truly historic home.
The home's exterior grounds include a 3-car garage with chauffeur and caretaker quarters. The historic wet boathouse features a second story that has a full open recreational room that leads to an outdoor wrap-around deck, accessible through four separate double-door entrances. The interior of this spectacular space is made from the same beautiful California redwood used in the main house. The exterior of the boathouse features the original sailboat weather vane, which works perfectly.
With only two homeowners -- the second homebuyer taking ownership in 1951 -- prospective homebuyers will quickly recognize the commitment to the meticulous upkeep of this historic property.
The Indian Point reference to the home comes from the life-size American Indian Brave figure that has proudly stood guard over the point since its placement in the 1930s. Many local boaters use the figure as a reference point navigating Catfish Lake. The home sits on 7.14 acres and has 2,000 feet of sandy beach frontage.
Prospective homebuyers will find a healthy and thriving residential and recreational area surrounding the unique and historic Edward Kelly Residence at 1057 Everett Rd, Eagle River, WI 54521.
Wade Micoley notes that "This home is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a charming slice of American history with a bonus of being warm, comfortable, and inviting. We are very excited to see who takes interest in purchasing this property."
The property is listed at $4,495,000, with an opening bid of $2,750,000 if no offers are received before the auction on June 28. The property may sell prior to the event.
Interested parties should visit Micoley.com to find photos and details about this historic property. Walkthroughs are available by qualified appointments only and can be scheduled by calling 1-866-371-3619. Additionally, Micoley.com features a live chat service through which questions can be answered.