Classic Elegance

Classic elegance describes this amazing historic home. It has been meticulously maintained over the years and offers a prime location and so many fabulous details. Greeted by a grand open staircase and flooded by natural light this home is sure to please. Delightful floor plan with spacious rooms, quality craftsmanship, beautiful casework and detailed moldings.  The new three car carriage house compliments this historic home. The location and setting with this grand home are second to none. La Crosse at its finest!  MLS#1823748

HISTORY

This eight-bedroom home was built in 1924-25 for Eleanor and Henry Gund, Sr., prominent La Crosse brewers and heirs to the John Gund Brewing Company. The Gund’s lived in the home, along with their son, Henry Gund, Jr., until the deaths of Henry, Sr. in 1945 and Eleanor’s death in 1958. Henry, Jr. and other family members migrated from Wisconsin and the brewing business, establishing a banking empire in Cleveland, OH.

The home was designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Howard Van Doren Shaw. Shaw was a leader in the American Craftsman movement. In the early 20th Century, Shaw became the most recognized designer of country houses in Lake Forest, IL and also Lake Geneva, WI. The home was sited across the street from the Italianate mansion built by the Cargill family (grain barons) and next door to the Joseph Hixon family, lumber barons.

The home is in the Colonial Revival style and retains all of the original design elements. Crown molding and mill work in the front hall, living room, dining room and primary bedroom, black slate flooring in the breakfast room, hand-rubbed birch paneling in the library, and a double German silver sink in the butler’s pantry are in their original and well-kept state. A thoughtful renovation of the kitchen, butler’s pantry, sewing room, primary bedroom closets and third floor storage areas have preserved the cabinets ’original fronts and wardrobe doors.

The house numbers 14 rooms. The first floor has a large entrance hall with a curving staircase. The hall, which runs the width of the house, extends from the front entrance to rear French doors overlooking the fountain and garden. To the right of the hall are the paneled library and dining room. To the left is the living room which spans the entire width of the house and leads to a comfortable summer porch. A breakfast room and kitchen leading off the dining room complete the downstairs layout. The second floor includes three bedrooms, each with a private bath and one, the “Son’s Room” with a private porch to the South. There are also a sewing room and housekeepers’ apartment. The third floor has two bedrooms with connecting bath and a spacious storage area.

Details

Property ID
450999

6
Bedrooms

5.5
Bathrooms

Square Footage
7353

Lot Size
1.17

Year Built
1924

Style
Colonial Revival

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