Historic Mushroom House, Earl Young’s Home overlooking Lake MI! New AC!

A Living Work of Art Across from Lake Michigan

Built on the knoll that inspired its design, this distinctive stone house overlooks Lake Michigan—the final mushroom house Earl Young designed and built for himself and his wife, Irene. Young lived here for more than 30 years.

Earl Young’s iconic Charlevoix homes are known for their organic shapes, native stone, low-slung profiles, and imaginative details. This house offers a particularly personal expression of his work, with its original, unaltered design, beautifully crafted stone fireplaces, distinctive U-shaped layout, and hidden cabinets throughout. Every room reveals something new, making it feel less like a vacation rental and more like a living piece of architectural history.

The home sits high on one of Charlevoix’s most beautiful bluffs, directly across from Lake Michigan and the iconic red lighthouse. The beach is just minutes away on foot, and downtown Charlevoix—with its boutiques, restaurants, bars, and parks—is also within easy walking distance. Guests often describe the setting as “completely ideal.”

The home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. One end features a bedroom with two twin beds and its own bathroom. The other has a queen bedroom and a king bedroom, with a bathroom between them. The queen bedroom is a walkthrough room to the private king bedroom, with a privacy curtain separating it from the hallway. A third bathroom adds convenience.

Large front windows bring Lake Michigan into the living space, while the private back deck feels like a treetop retreat—three stories above the street and sheltered among the trees. It’s perfect for morning coffee, an afternoon glass of wine, or simply enjoying the quiet.

Inside, you’ll find a fully equipped kitchen with coffee, spices, and cooking essentials; beautiful linens and beach towels; high-speed WiFi; Sonos; a Samsung Frame TV with streaming; and two original stone gas fireplaces.

The house has been lovingly maintained and thoughtfully prepared for guests, offering modern comfort without losing the character and craftsmanship of Earl Young’s original design.

The beach is across the street. Downtown is a short walk. And the house offers a rare opportunity to stay inside the final mushroom house Earl Young created for himself.

A Note About Availability

This home books quickly. If your dates aren’t available, click our profile to explore our collection of 12 distinctive cottages in Charlevoix. We’d love to host you at one of them.