$1.75 million Ann Arbor stone chalet offers options from bed and breakfast to events center

ANN ARBOR, MI – A Swiss chalet-style mansion for sale in Ann Arbor is offering prospective buyers the chance to own three buildings, 14 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms as a continued bed and breakfast business or as a space all their own.

Designed by noted Ann Arbor architect George Brigham, the mansion at 1917 Washtenaw Ave. offers 12,995 square feet of space in a mid-century modern concept, with customized rooms and many original features, as well as an accompanying parsonage and carriage house for additional guests.

The mansion, listed at $1.75 million, is MLive’s House of the Week. Houses that range in architectural style and price are featured every Wednesday.

Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The 13,000-square foot property is three buildings on 0.7 acres and is listed at $1,750,000.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

With a massive facade reminiscent of another era, owner Lana Hawkins said it offers prospective buyers numerous possibilities.

“The house looks like it came out of a Swiss chalet in the Alps,” she said. “It’s just so beautiful.”

Hawkins, who has owned the mansion since 2013 as the Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast Inn and Event Center, said the property has been used as a bed and breakfast since 1999. Prior to that, it was the home of the Ann Arbor Unitarian Church, which added the parsonage that now has seven guest rooms on its two floors.

Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The 13,000-square foot property is three buildings on 0.7 acres and is listed at $1,750,000.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

Hawkins and her husband, Mike Soltis, have also operated the property as an events center that can host weddings and receptions, business retreats and even music and entertainment.

“We can host weddings and all kinds of business retreats and parties of up to 100 people,” Hawkins said. “It’s a nice place to get away with complete privacy, have your closest friends here for the weekend or have a business retreat for 20 people.”

Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The 13,000-square foot property is three buildings on 0.7 acres and is listed at $1,750,000.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

The chalet’s main house is comprised of 5,600 square feet above ground, with five bedrooms and five bathrooms across three floors.

Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The 13,000-square foot property is three buildings on 0.7 acres and is listed at $1,750,000.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

Steel casement windows provide natural light into rooms with oak floors, high ceilings, and solid concrete exterior walls with distinctive granite blocks on the inside.

The large living room on the first floor has a fireplace, oak floors and high ceilings. French doors open to a three-season room with the distinctive stone wall along one side.

Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The 13,000-square foot property is three buildings on 0.7 acres and is listed at $1,750,000.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

A formal dining room with fireplace includes a butler’s pantry and large kitchen.

Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The 13,000-square foot property is three buildings on 0.7 acres and is listed at $1,750,000.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

The second floor has four bedrooms, including a master suite with fireplace, sleeping porch and bath. The third floor has a fifth bedroom two bathrooms and a library.

Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The 13,000-square foot property is three buildings on 0.7 acres and is listed at $1,750,000.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

The parsonage offers three bedrooms and three bathrooms on its first floor, each with its own attached bathroom.

Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The 13,000-square foot property is three buildings on 0.7 acres and is listed at $1,750,000.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

The second floor of the parsonage offers another four bedrooms, each with its own accompanying bathroom, gas fireplace and balcony space.

Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The 13,000-square foot property is three buildings on 0.7 acres and is listed at $1,750,000.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

The carriage house is a free standing cottage with a main entrance opening up into a gazebo garden. The space can fit six to eight people, rented out as a separate home or a space for overnight guests.

Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The 13,000-square foot property is three buildings on 0.7 acres and is listed at $1,750,000.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

The house offers a meeting space, small kitchenette and bathroom on the second floor.

Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The 13,000-square foot property is three buildings on 0.7 acres and is listed at $1,750,000.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

If that’s not enough, the property also includes a 2,600 square-foot events space, currently called The Penny Seats Theatre Company. The space is conducive to hosting concerts, large dinners, reunions, recitals or book signings, Hawkins said.

See all 44 photos of this home here and complete listing here.

See other House of the Week features:

$1.45M Ann Arbor country mansion features 30 acres, pond

Ann Arbor home with ‘see-through cabin’ vibe listed for $1 million

Home featuring a boat as a bar listed for $2.575 million in Jackson County

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