A custom-built Michigan estate that was designed to mirror a French provincial chateau has hit the market outside of Detroit, offering a $9 million opportunity to live out a real-life fairy tale inside a one-of-a-kind castle.
Set on a 14-acre parcel of wooded, lakefront land in Washington Township, MI, the enormous 15-bedroom dwelling looks, at first glance, more like a replica of Michigan’s famed Grand Hotel resort on Mackinac Island than it does a single-family home.
Despite its grand appearance, the property has only ever served as a home—albeit with a spectacular spread of amenities that rival any upscale venue.
Construction on the epic property, which is known as The Woods Chateau, began in 2018 and wrapped in 2023, culminating in a palatial residence that spans years of vision, hand-drawn design, and sheer determination.
The finished result measures more than 30,000 square feet, making it one of the largest and most ambitious family homes in the state.
“It’s certainly a legacy—one of the biggest houses in Michigan,” says listing agent Brock Bean, of Keller Williams Paint Creek. “It’s priced very appropriately and aggressively for someone to come write their next chapter.”
The story behind the Woods Chateau began simply, as many grand undertakings do, with a vision.
According to the property’s website, the homeowners, Janet and Michael, started discussing what their dream home might look like—with Janet making just two requests: that her husband build her a dwelling with “a lot of property” and a lakefront location.
Initially, Michael thought she would have to pick just one of the two, until they came across the 14-acre spread where their home now sits.
A week after visiting the land, the couple signed on the dotted line, and Janet began drawing up a design for the castle that would one day occupy the space.
Taping together three sheets of paper—one for each floor—Janet hand-drew the entire house, a process that took 11 months.
When she revealed the final drawing to Michael, he immediately began seeking out a builder who would take on the construction of the vision she had created.
The only issue? Many builders who were approached by the couple were hesitant to accept the project, with some even refusing to give an estimate for the work.
Refusing to back down or ruin his wife’s dream of bringing to life her very own fairy tale, Michael decided to take the project on himself, personally overseeing the entire construction process, from permit applications to staff management.
“He began this journey by taking Janet’s hand drawings to a structural engineer to determine what would be required structurally to build this home,” the property’s website reveals.
“After seven months Michael received the results. Although the structural engineer had added a lot of steel beams and steel posts, not a single wall needed to be changed or moved in any way. Janet had placed each and every supporting wall perfectly where they need to be.”
The finished estate reflects that singular vision. The French provincial chateau includes 15 bedrooms, many of which are themed around a storied romance.
The suites with a connecting balcony were inspired by “Romeo and Juliet,” while the honeymoon suite—another space that lends the property its hotelesque allure—features a private parlor for intimate gatherings.
Every element of the property was designed to serve a purpose, much like a hotel resort. The business wing includes a conference room and private office, while three “independent main level studios” are each equipped with a kitchen and living area, creating the perfect getaway for guests.
On the main level, opulent entertaining areas abound, including a grand foyer with a stunning fountain at its center and a “dramatic two-sided staircase.” There’s also a professional kitchen, a “professional banquet center,” a movie theater—with tiered seating—and a gym with sauna.
“Everything is brand-new, appliance-wise,” Bean notes, underscoring the home’s rare position as a newly built estate at a scale more often associated with historic mansions.
Meanwhile, the double-height natatorium features a “breathtaking” resort-style pool with enormous windows.
Outside, the property features manicured lawns and a private lake, offering an unexpected sense of seclusion just beyond the Detroit metro area. There are heated garages for up to 13 vehicles.
Now ready for its next steward, the Woods Chateau is equal parts architectural feat and love story—a once-in-a-generation canvas awaiting someone bold enough to carry its vision forward.