River Bluff development in Harbor Country showcases 'boutique architects'
River Bluff, a unique, architecturally significant development of luxury single-family homes, is under way on a 78-acre heavily wooded site on the bluffs overlooking the Galien River just five minutes from downtown New Buffalo and Lake Michigan.
"Located on a quiet country road populated with family farms, this rural oasis is worlds away from hectic Chicago and tucked away from Harbor Country's bustling weekend crowds," said Karen Strohl, of Rubloff Residential Properties, who along with Donna Iwamoto, is the exclusive listing agent.
Butler Development invited Stanley Tigerman and Margaret McCurry -- two of America's premier architects -- to create and then execute the vision of a luxurious quality of life for residents that also enhances and preserves the natural beauty of the site and its abundant wildlife.
"The significance of these homes has generated much enthusiasm and interest and has identified River Bluff as being unique for its architectural excellence and prominence," said Iwamoto, an associate broker with Rubloff's Harbor Country office.
There are a total of 16 sites ranging in size from 1.5 acres to 4 acres with lot prices starting at $379,000. Tigerman's 2,550-square-foot home on 2.3 acres is priced at $1.295 million. McCurry's 3,465-square-foot home on 2.8 acres is priced at $1.395 million.
Of the 78-acre site, 35 acres will be dedicated to a nature conservancy. Views from homes will look out onto the Galien River and wetlands.
"We want to ensure the quality of life for all of our residents, both human and wildlife," McCurry said.
"Having open lands is about sustainability," Tigerman said. "We are trying to protect the open spaciousness of the land."
Common land will be available for recreational amenities. A community center is proposed on 4.5 acres.
River Bluff is being developed by Jim and Lisa Butler, long-time residents of Harbor Country. The Butlers have developed projects in the Chicago neighborhoods of Wicker Park, Bronzeville and Tri-Taylor, but they know how to preserve the desirable low-density, rural characteristics of Harbor Country, Tigerman said.
"Considering the sloping lots on the heavily wooded site, it's challenging land to build on," Tigerman said. "But the Butlers stepped up to the challenge and are doing a fine job. They aren't just builders; they're stewards of the land."
"Unlike other houses being developed, we helped site the homes and lay out the lots," Tigerman said. "We sited the housing and Jim tweaked the sites to enhance the river vistas. These homes are isolated in nature."
The homes are being built on wooded acreage on the bluff of the river and adjacent to a rural farm providing beautiful vistas of open farmland. When fully developed, River Bluff will have "a rural community feel," Tigerman said.
"Homes are isolated but not too far from town," Tigerman said. "There's a sense of spaciousness because you're not on top of all the weekend hustle and bustle of New Buffalo. But it's a quick trip down the road when you do want a little more excitement."
New Buffalo is accessible from Red Arrow Highway, which connects with River Bluff's nearby Kruger Road. A public beach is also nearby.
A long private driveway leads back to the Tigerman designed home and opens to a private courtyard. The spacious three-bedroom, three-bath residence is a symmetrical combination of two separate buildings connected by a farm silolike entryway that contains a circular stairway and powder room area.
"Each wing is separate," Tigerman said. "The two houses do not touch."
Tigerman's home is built on a 100,025-square-foot steep bluff site 30 feet above the riverbed showcasing great views of the Galien River and surrounding forest.
The building on the southwest corner of the site features a broad living room area with plenty of space for entertaining and relaxing.
The first-floor layout features a 725-square-foot screened porch leading to the northwest corner building.
The second building is an elaborate kitchen/dining area. The kitchen includes an L-shaped bar with seating area on the north side of the room. The south end of the room is for dining.
"Farm buildings in rural Harbor Country are industrial buildings," he said. "But we've taken that standard and turned it into something residential. This home makes a residential building an art form."
The McCurry-designed home, a spacious four-bedroom, three-bath residence, is close to the river on a bluff site overlooking wetland.
McCurry's home is built on a 123,453-square-foot site that touches the water. The large rectangular building features an attached two-car garage and screened porch.
The exterior of the McCurry home is designed with corrugated metal, "an industrial quality material that fits the farm," McCurry said. Exterior finishes will be galvanized or baked-enamel coated aluminum.
The home has a galvanized standing-seam metal roof. Three-foot-large windows are black framed with periwinkle blue, McCurry said.
Calling the two homes "drastically different," Tigerman said the Butlers were looking for "high-quality design from boutique architects and supported what we wanted to do."
Both architects said they designed the homes using "authentic, practical farm-building materials" with an "American country-style" farm motif in mind.
"From our use of corrugated metal to the inspiration of the silolike building, our design represents the agrarian living of America's rural past. This is truly authentic American-rural architecture," McCurry said. "Our homes are a 21st Century reenactment of the American vernacular."
A 70-mile drive away from Chicago, Harbor Country offers home buyers a rustic escape and variety of activities year-round. In addition to the natural beauty of the off-the-lake developments, Harbor Country is composed of eight communities ... Michiana, Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert and Sawyer.
"Convenience is key and proximity means spontaneity," said Rubloff's Iwamoto, who is a Harbor Country resident. "They can do it all right here in Harbor Country. That's what makes it so attractive."
Another major draw is the area's charm and small-town atmosphere, said Strohl of Rubloff. "People are reprioritizing and may want a small-town lifestyle to relive some of their childhood memories," she said.
Iwamoto reports that many city dwellers seeking refuge from their hectic lives discover they enjoy the area so much that they expand their weekends and go back to the office on Monday - and use their homes all year long.
For more information, call (312) 368-5300 or visit www.rubloff.com.