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The Vineyard Lofts Story
The
Roots
Joseph H. Burkhard started the historic winery in the late 1920’s with his wife May. It was first operated as The Lakeside Vineyard Co. Mr. Burkhard discovered that the area was ideal for his aspirations to start a winery. Prohibition slowed progress a bit, but by 1933 the winery was in full operation. The successful business changed hands several times and by the mid 1940’s new owners, William Ruttledge and his wife Winifred, began what would be the popular Molly Pitcher Winery. Molly Pitcher wines were sold in all 48 contiguous states and was a legendary sweet wine. In 1975 The Ruttledges sold the winery to Cecil and Betty Pond who revived the original name and began producing wines as The Lakeside Vineyard Inc. once again. Unfortunately by the late 1980’s the winery fell on difficult times and by 1990, Michigan’s oldest winery was forced to shutdown.
A
New Beginning
A decade of little activity at the old winery led husband and wife team, Richard and Eileen Kochanny, to purchase the old bones and start a new chapter in their life. Having both been affected by corporate America’s move to “globalization”, the couple was intrigued with the notion of leaving the corporate life and acting on a hunch. Although they had limited means, they decided to throw caution to the wind, go with their entrepreneurial instincts and take a chance. Instead of continuing the winemaking tradition of their predecessors, the couple enlisted the services of award winning Chicago architectural firm Frye Gillan Molinaro, and laid the plans to complete the most dramatic renovation of a historic property that Michigan’s Harbor Country had ever witnessed. Early on, there were many skeptics, but as the project unfolded, all of the uncertainty was silenced as gasps of amazement ensued. The Vineyard Lofts private courtyards and terraces were reminiscent of a quaint European village, while the exterior of the historic winery recalled the building's rich heritage, with a modern flare. Inside, a mood of undeniable luxury prevailed with many thoughtful appointments traditionally found only in custom homes. Existing building features such as concrete walls, steel beams, expansive ceiling heights and different elevations exemplified its industrial past. These unique features created a fascinating combination of old and new. Throughout the entire design process, the designers reused as much of the old winery as possible, not only to maintain its industrial roots, but more importantly to limit the amount of material that would have otherwise been destine for the landfill. The majority of the materials are recyclable, as extensive use of concrete, steel and glass are predominate features of the lofts. The abundant use of natural light, natural ventilation, designs that encourage outdoor living and energy efficient mechanicals further promote energy savings. The addition of whole house networking and optional automation features assured a home capable of the most demanding lifestyle.
Lofts as second homes
The “Loft” is one of today’s most sought-after living options due to its incredibly flexible interior space. First used in the 1960’s as an economical retreat for New York artists to both live and create their work, the concept eventually caught on with mainstream homebuyers. High ceilings, industrial attributes, huge windows and open space all combine to help designers and architects create breathtaking, one-of-a-kind living spaces. While typically second homeowners gravitate to summer cottages as their primary retreat, condominiums, and more recently lofts, are becoming desirable alternatives due to their maintenance free design. The biggest drawback to owning multiple properties has always been work and more importantly the time one must invest to take care of them. Often times when owners should be enjoying their down time, they find themselves working on the house. The Kochanny’s, second homeowners themselves, realizing the unfortunate downside to owning multiple properties, designed the Vineyard Lofts to eliminate the work so owners can enjoy all the area has to offer.
The Kochanny’s have dubbed the Vineyard Lofts “the ultimate in contemporary living.” Low maintenance design, clean uncluttered lines, create spectacular spaces that are great for entertaining, but still achieve desirable comfort and privacy. These attributes seemed to have struck a chord with busy Chicago professionals seeking a cool refuge from the hectic pace of the week. Bordeaux region loft owners Lisa Vandermark and Denise Gaza love the fact that they can take a jog down to the beach, enjoy quiet weekends reading and evenings hanging out, all without the work of a traditional “cottage.” Piedmont region loft owner Professor Darlene Clark Hines sees her loft as the ideal place to create her passion, writing books and essays. The beautifully landscaped grounds, serene privacy and the inspiring library she has assembled are the ideal settings for creativity. With different designs and layouts, the lofts offer countless possibilities for those interested in creating an environment to relax, work or play, all in an area that caters to all three… Michigan’s Harbor Country.
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Copyright 2007 LePin Development LLC |
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