A striking castle-inspired estate tucked just minutes from downtown Midland is for sale for the first time in over 30 years, offering more than 9,200 square feet of living space and sweeping grounds that back up to the Midland Country Club.
Property at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 1298 W. Sugnet Road, Midland |
| Lot size | 3.6 acres |
| Living space | 9,240 sq. ft. |
| Bedrooms | 5 |
| Bathrooms | 7 |
| Fireplaces | 6 |
| List price | $1,650,000 |
Katrin Thorson, a Realtor with Ayre Rhinehart Real Estate Partners, described the home as being “hidden in plain sight.” Set well back from the road and perched on a hill, the property’s main façade faces the rear of the lot, which, according to the listing agent, means many locals have driven past without realizing the estate was there.
“The house and grounds are just magical. Wandering through, there is so much to discover - there was absolutely no way to capture it all in photographs,” Thorson said.
Architecture and interior details
The residence dates to the 1940s and was designed by J. Ivan Dise, a Detroit architect who began his career working with Albert Kahn before founding his own practice. The current owners have maintained and restored the home’s historic character while updating spaces where appropriate.
Interior highlights listed by the agent include hardwood floors throughout, hand-painted murals on the walls, and a kitchen that opens to breakfast, dining and main family rooms. A butler’s pantry adjoins the kitchen, and a number of specialized rooms speak to the home’s estate-scale plan: a billiard room, gym and sauna are among the amenities, alongside multiple fireplaces and a screened porch.
Grounds and setting
The property’s grounds were reshaped over decades by the current owners, who planted thousands of trees and shrubs to create a wooded, private setting. The elevation of the lot gives the house a commanding position over the surrounding landscape and provides partial views of the country club greens.
- Set back from the road on 3.6 acres
- Views toward Midland Country Club
- Extensive mature plantings and privacy screening
Market context and significance
This is the first time the property has been placed on the market in more than three decades. At a list price of $1,650,000, it enters the Midland market as a high-end, architecturally notable offering — a rare instance of midcentury-period residential architecture by a regional architect with ties to Detroit’s prominent designers.
Midland has a tradition of prized architecture and well-maintained historic homes; listings such as this one can draw interest both from local buyers seeking a legacy property and from out-of-area buyers attracted to unique, estate-scale homes near a downtown core.
Practical considerations for buyers
Prospective buyers should note the size and scale of the house: more than 9,200 square feet and a range of period features that may require specialized maintenance. The listing indicates a mix of preserved historic detail and modernized utility spaces, but interested parties will want to verify the condition of mechanical systems, roofing and other infrastructure during inspections.
For buyers interested in both architectural character and privacy, the property’s wooded 3.6-acre parcel and placement on a hill deliver seclusion while remaining close to Midland’s amenities.
More information, showings and inquiries are available through Ayre Rhinehart Real Estate Partners. Publications and agents often recommend confirming any tax, zoning or easement details through local records and the listing agent prior to submitting an offer.
The combination of a landmark designer linkage, substantial grounds and the rarity of a multi-decade single-owner listing positions 1298 W. Sugnet Road as one of Midland’s most talked-about homes on the market this season.
