Remember the Iconic Grand Rapids Mansion For Sale? It Finally Sold!
Back in May, the mansion on Plainfield hit the market for the first time in decades. For quite a long time, the house was the subject of many questions and speculation. It finally sold. Let's review...
The home was built in 1940. It boasts 5,300 square feet, including 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 half baths, a 3-stall attached garage, and a stately lion emblem that frames the 1.65-acre estate. The home is located on at 2615 Plainfield Avenue, between Aberdeen and Three Mile Roads.
There Are Rumors About The House
The house was rumored to be built by John & Nellie VanderJagt. VanderJagt was the president of Reliable Cartage Co., the principle hauler of goods for the A & P Food Stores. There is also a story of VanderJagt possibly being a bootlegger during prohibition, and that's actually where he got the money to build the house. It was rumored to have a pool and an elevator.
Truths About The House
The purchase price to build the home in 1940 was $17,000. There is not a bowling alley in the basement. It's not haunted. 100 people have not lived in the home over the years. The residence has been owned by only 2 families. There is a built in organ. Guy Vander Jagt who was a Michigan politician never lived in the house.
Present Day Situation
The home sat vacant for a year and was listed for sale in May by Realtor TJ Homes. The listing refers to the home as "a world caught in time, where contractors were not hired, but artisans did the work." The asking price was $700,000. TJ said it needed about $200,000 in renovations.
After a few inquires, and 50,000 views on Zillow, many people said it simply needed too much work done to it. Others wanted to purchase it and then level it. After more than 5 months, the house finally sold.
The realtor who listed the home, TJ, and her husband decided to take matters into their own hands and purchased the home. They are in the middle of a major renovation, with plans yet to be determined as it is restored to its original glory.
Iconic Grand Rapids Home for Sale
Gallery Credit: Photo: TJ Homes/Tammy Jo Budzynski with Keller Williams Realty Rivertown/Relator.com