Stunning Michigan castle near Detroit hits market for $2.3M

Release time：2024-05-21 16:34:52 Source：Global Gazetteer news portal

A house fit for a king!

A la 'Game of Thrones', a literal castle has hit the market in the US - though instead of King's Landing, it can be found nestled in suburban Michigan.

Located just north of Detroit, the home is anything but modest - custom-built by a lifetime Michiganite for his wife a decade before his death. It has since changed hands only once, after a retired mechanical contractor took an interest in 2015. 

Noticing the old owner was struggling to make payments, he offered to loan him $900,000 as a favor - on the condition he be repaid in monthly installments.

The ex-owner agreed, but quickly defaulted on those payments before passing away in 2022.

Now for sale for some $2.3million, the 26-room abode harks back to a lost age, and comes complete with a moat, drawbridge, hidden passageways, and a dungeon (with a hot tub) - as well as bragging rights over your peasant pals.

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Like something out of ' Game of Thrones ', a castle has hit the market - and instead of King's Landing, it can be found a few miles Detroit. It costs roughly $2.3million

The 26-room, five-story fortress can be found hidden in the woodlands of Rochester, Michigan, in a ritzy gated community

Brent Gatecliff, the current lord of the manor, revealed to DailyMail.com this week how he came to own the property. 

When jokingly asked if he was the lord of the manor, the 66-year-old who is eager to make a sale quipped: 'I am, but hopefully not for too long.'

Before explaining how he accepted the Medieval-style manse as collateral for a loan back in 2015, he revealed how he got more than he bargained for after taking on the property once the agreement fell through.

'What was I thinking, right?' he joked, recalling how when the old homeowner, 72-year-old James Carter LeBlanc, failed to make a single repayment, he had to step in.

'I was house flipping at the time, and a realtor put me onto the home, which at the time he was looking to sell,' he said over the phone. 

He went on to recall how LeBlanc - an entrepreneur with several successful businesses to his name in his day - built it in 1991 as an engagement present to his wife, 22 years after he promised her a castle when he couldn't afford a ring.

The ensuing undertaking took a total of six years, during which LeBlanc spared no expense to get it done.

He brought in experts from all over the world, and fitted the place with hidden halls, fireplaces, and other authentic amenities that cost more than $10million - some of which Gatecliff said are still being uncovered today.  

'He lived there for about 30 years before dying in May 2022 at 72,' Gatecliff said. 

Estate agents have been listing the opulent property on and off since about three years ago, but they have yet to find the 'king or queen of the castle'

The structure features turrets, a moat, portcullis, a drawbridge, and a massive 763 lbs. front door

Photos also show elaborately done rooms — plus at least one suit of armor inside, guarding the home

It even boasts a carefully curated hall of mirrors - presumably to confuse the future liege lord's enemies

Brent Gatecliff, the current master of the manor, revealed to DailyMail.com this week how he came to own the property, and how he was forced to take possession

That left the costly creation behind, and Gatecliff to pick up the pieces. 

Finishing the necessary renovations that LeBlanc did not, Gatecliff quickly spent an additional $200,000 getting the property up to snuff, he said.

He's asking for $2.299million to guarantee a sale - less than a quarter of the money LeBlanc put forth to get it off the ground.

Despite a steady stream of interest seen since, he has yet to finalize a deal, he admitted.

'It’s a great house,' he told DailyMail.com days after almost closing a deal for the desired amount. 'But it’s a specific house that only a specific buyer is going to be interested in.'

For the first six months, he recalled: 'I kept finding hidden passageways and secret doors' - one which led to a de facto dungeon'.

However, this subterranean cell comes Equipped with a Tudor-style pub, faux stalagmites and a hot tub - a bit more ritzy than the underground rooms from which it was inspired.

That said, LeBlanc did leave behind a prop to make the underground room more 'authentic', Gatecliff revealed, telling DailyMail.com: 'He hung up a pair of shackles on the wall.' 

He added of the previously unseen room, which has a full bathroom: 'If we're talking kings and castles, it's a good place to hide from your captors,'

'Nobody would know where you were,' he added, laughing off the discovery.

When jokingly asked if he was the castle's king, the 66-year-old - eager to make a sale - quipped: 'I am, but hopefully not for too long'

Despite the lack of a sale, the home is one of the most talked about homes to hit the market, and emanates a unique opulence any lover of history would appreciate

Before explaining how he accepted the Medieval-style manse as collateral for a loan in 2015, he revealed how he got more than he bargained for after taking on the property once the agreement fell through

Finishing the necessary renovations, Gatecliff spent an additional $200,000 getting the property up to snuff, he said - installing heaters, air conditioners, a new boiler, and more to ensure a successful sale

Now out more than $1million, he's asking for $2.299million to guarantee a sale - less than a quarter of the money LeBlanc put forth to get it off the ground

'It’s a great house,' he told DailyMail.com days after almost closing a deal for the desired amount. 'But it’s a specific house that only a specific buyer is going to be interested in.'

Aside from more conspicuous amenities like a drawbridge, moat, and fully functional portcullis, other secret passages are abound - including a bookshelf that rotates to expose a secret reading escape room. 

In a children's bedroom, an escape hatch opens up to a hidden playroom in the floor below, he said.

Other drawers and compartments continue to make themselves known years later, in the home that looks like something straight out of 15th century Scotland.

To accomplish this, Gatecliff said LeBlanc took several trips to Europe to study up on the subject, while also pouring through countless books.

But the costs of building - and maintaining - such estates can become a sort of runaway train, he pointed out; hence why a monied man like LeBlanc ultimately could not afford to stay.

That's also why is has such a pronounced price tag, he said - before disclaiming that virtually almost all of the work previously needed on the home is done.

'It's ready to be lived in. It just needs some paint and stucco and Dryvit.' 

His girlfriend, he added, doesn't like to sleep there - unsettled by the suits of armor and gothic art that adorn the halls.

On Thursday, he recalled how he has listed the property on and off since April 2021 in an effort to recoup his lost funds, and is still bombarded with offers to this day, including one in September 2022 for $2.5million.

However, none have fully developed, making him eager to finally close the sale.

Aside from more conspicuous amenities, secret passages and rooms in the home are abound - including a bookshelf that rotates to expose a secret reading room

In a kid's bedroom, an escape hatch opens up to a hidden playroom in the floor below

On Thursday, the homeowner recalled how he has listed the property on and off since April 2021 in an effort to recoup his lost funds, and is still bombarded with offers to this day, including one in September 2022 for $2.5million

But all have fell through - likely due to the costs it would take to maintain such an estate, on top of its initial price tag

The costs of building - and maintaining - such estates can become a sort of runaway train, he pointed out; hence why the previous homeowner could not afford to stay

'What was I thinking, right?' he joked, recalling how when the old homeowner, 72-year-old James Carter LeBlanc, failed to make a single repayment, he had to step in. Pictured, a stairwell to the home's wine cellar, on a floor below the dungeon

Any other renovations would would cost 'no more than $60,000,' he disclaimed, a sum that has seemingly scared off some buyers

Further delaying matters, Gatecliff said, are the lulls created when people show interest before suddenly backing down - drawing out the now essentially complete renovation process.   

Such work, he added, required 'special materials or the work of specialty contractors.' 

'I've gotten multiple offers since taking over, but almost all have backed out last minute.'

Asked if he would ever live at the property, he said he's happier at his current home - which is 30 minutes away and overlooks a lake.

'The castle aspect isn't stopping me,' he said. 'It's more the location.'

That said, the house is only a short drive from the state's biggest city and is double gated - meaning it has not only a gate protecting the property, but is set in a gated community which itself is closed off to outsiders.

If that doesn't stop intruders, the moat, portcullis, a drawbridge, and a massive 763 lbs. front door will, Gatecliff joked - as those who make it onto the property will likely feel as if they stepped through a portal in time.

The fortress sits on a six acres in a gated community, offering even more protection from intruders

Hidden within the walls of the property is a 50-foot-tall spiral staircase that leads to the de fact dungeon (not pictured)

Sitting on over six acres, it's surrounded by a wrought iron fence and two watch towers - also gated - and is being sold as is, meaning all the carefully curated furniture and equipment come included.

'The home is beautiful,' he said. 'It's just a lot to afford.

'The inlay wood, the antique chandeliers, and the oak carpenter ceilings,' he added. 'It's really something to behold.'

Estate agents have also yet to find the 'king or queen of the castle,' despite repeated viewing requests. 

Images show the 60-ton steel structure topped by medieval stone-walled turrets, and drawbridge to protect its grand entrance.

Many of the 26 rooms are lined with oak walls and linked by wide staircases from the vast entrance hall, while the master bedroom appears fit for royalty with a four-poster bed and balcony.

Hidden within the walls of the property is a 50-foot-tall spiral staircase, Gatecliff added, revealing that's how prospective tenants would access the secret wine cellar.

Photos also show elaborately done bedrooms - plus at least one suit of armor like something out of Scooby-Doo, apparently also guarding the home.

Speaking to DailyMail.com back when the house first went up for sale in 2021, realtor Mike Kuligowski said he believes the fortress, which has seven bathrooms, is perfect for an 'eccentric' buyer who dreamed of living in a castle as a child.

Kuligowski specializes in selling unique homes, and admits even he was blown away after thinking the most recent owner was exaggerating when he said he's 'selling a castle.' 

'It's the perfect opportunity to live like a king or queen. It's for someone who just has to have a castle because they dreamed of it as a kid,' he said.    

'It's pretty over-the-top. It feels very much like a castle when you're in it. It's a very elaborate and custom-style home. The master bedroom is incredible,' he went on.

'When I drove up and saw the working portcullis and the 763 lbs. front door, I realized he wasn't joking and it really was a castle. It's the sort of thing you dream of as a kid.

'This is perfect for someone eccentric like the original owner and someone who likes to show off.' 

Kuligowski continued: 'It's designed and built to host people. So it’s for someone who likes the experience of having people over and wanting to give them an experience. 

Many of the 26 rooms are lined with oak walls and linked by wide staircases from the vast entrance hall, while the master bedroom appears fit for royalty with a four-poster bed and balcony

The stunning home was designed by James LeBlanc and completed in 1991 as an engagement present to his then-wife, Vera LeBlanc

He promised to build her one 22 years earlier because he couldn't afford a ring

LeBlanc sold the house on 2015 for $900,000, but paid rent to live there until he moved into assisted living in 2019

Realtor Mike Kuligowski said the fortress, which has seven bathrooms, is perfect for an 'eccentric' buyer who dreamed of living in a castle as a child

 'It's the perfect opportunity to live like a king or queen. It's for someone who just has to have a castle because they dreamed of it as a kid,' Kuligowski said

 'I was blown away by it. When my client told me he had a castle to sell, I thought, "Yeah, right,' because a lot of people talk like they've got a castle,' he said

Pictured, the secret dungeon-like cave where a Tudor-style bar and wine cellar can be found. Not pictured, the home's actual dungeon, which can be found in a secret door in the barroom

'This is perfect for someone eccentric like the original owner and someone who likes to show off,' realtors said

'It's designed and built to host people. So it’s for someone who likes the experience of having people over and wanting to give them an experience'

The property also features a heated garage opposite the castle, fitted with a toilet and seat from one of the Concorde jets that the owner, a former US military engineer, helped design

There are also five fireplaces, which come on top of the newly installed heaters and furnaces

The property was built for Michigan resident Vera (pictured) by her husband, who promised her a castle when they got engaged all because he was unable to buy a ring

'I've worked on some unique properties but not one as unique as this,' he added.

The six-acre plot is situated at the rear of a gated community, so the homeowner and their guests reach the castle through a winding forest littered with trinkets such as an iron-sculpted dragon.

The property also features a heated garage opposite the castle, fitted with a toilet and seat from one of the Concorde jets that the owner, a former US military engineer, helped design.

Nicholas Asplund at Lux Partners Global adds that the home has had 'a laundry list of upgrades' since being first put on the market, including six new high efficiency furnaces/air conditioners, new humidifiers, a new boiler, a new hot water storage tank, and an elevator serviced and certified in 2022.

The owner also spent was some $100,000 on window and door upgrades, and $20,000 on electrical updates.

'This is "Game of Thrones" Season 9,' he told MLive Monday, adding 'the [home's] build quality and cost is unmatched.

'[It] couldn’t be done today for under $25,000,000,' he said.

'The surprises are endless,' he added, as he Gatecliff both said they continue to see interest in the picturesque property. 'It must truly be seen to be believed.'

One thing's for sure - the home is deeply entrenched in romanticism.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Lux Partners for comment. 

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