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$879,000

• The Parr Estate was lovingly created in 1958 by the late Roy Parr and his wife Doris, who lived in the home until just recently. Mr. Parr was a top executive with the VM Corporation and Doris was a homemaker “extraordinaire” according to son Don. The home was designed and built with an eye to comfort and quality throughout, ahead of it’s time in many respects.
• This unique property is thought to be the largest one residence parcel in the City of St. Joseph today. Almost hidden from view with wonderful mature trees and landscaping, it is accessed by a graceful, paved horseshoe drive, and offers ample courtyard parking in front of the attached 3 car garage. A long hall from the kitchen and side entry leads to the smaller of the two garage areas, which was used for garden tools and tractors. The larger garage door was replaced about 5 years ago.
• A small Greenhouse attached to the garage allowed Doris Parr to create and care for the extensive terraced gardens behind the house and surrounding the rear and side patios of old paver bricks…she chose and planted most of the beautiful trees and shrubs on the property. The rest of the parcel runs back over 1100’ to the City/Township limits and includes a beautiful Pine Grove and at least 5 acres of fields. It might be possible to have horses on the property according to Mrs. Parr’s son’s research.
• The home is built of solid brick and its’ roof was replaced about six years ago. It has been very well maintained over the years. It is served by municipal water and sewer and also has a septic system, installed when the house was built and is connected only to the bathroom in the basement. There is also a well on the rear of the property that was used for irrigation, and is still thought to be viable. A security system is connected directly to downtown police department.
• The front door of the home opens into a large entry area with a wide stairway to the second floor and a hallway to Kitchen and Family Room.
• Many interior walls and ceilings are of Redwood. The vaulted Family Room ceiling has massive hand-hewn Redwood beams. Interior floors are hardwood or Terrazzo tile with carpeting in the Living and Dining Rooms. There are three exquisite crystal chandeliers and several crystal wall sconces in the home.
• The redwood, brick, and Terrazzo Kitchen has a built-in charcoal grille (never used) and stainless steel sink and drainboard. Extensive cabinets include a 5’ Butcher Block counter on the center island with snack bar…Appliances include a new dishwasher that also was never used as far as the owner’s son knows. A large Laundry Room with many cabinets and center table with shelves and fold down top is convenient to Kitchen and Garage areas.
• On one side the Kitchen area is open to a wonderfully casual Family Room. A huge brick fireplace with mantle and seating ledge fills the rear wall of this room. Another main floor plus is a large Office/Library with built-in shelves and wood parquet floor.
• The Formal Dining Room on the other side of the Kitchen is large and bright and leads to a large Living Room on one end, with many built-in shelves and cabinets with speakers and sound system that serve that end of the home. On the other is a wonderful sunporch with a unique curved window wall (windows replaced about ten years ago) that overlooks the rear and side yard gardens and patios.
• The upper floor has a very large center hall area with Cedar Closet, two very large Bedrooms with double closets, and a luxurious Master Suite with Master Bath and large closets. All bedroom floors are beautiful hardwood and there are some lake views. Baths feature ceramic tile floors and walls. There are two laundry chutes to the first floor laundry.
• The house also has a full basement with a Wine Room, a small bathroom with laundry tub and stool, a large room with wood-burning stove, and a utility area with newer water heater.
• Many other details of this unusual home and property “must be seen” to be appreciated. Current zoning is residential from the center of Lakeshore Drive back 400’. The rear part of the property is currently zoned Light Industrial according to Mrs. Parr’s son. A PUD development or other uses might be possible with City approval.

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