Redstone Ridge Residence: Neglected Property To Modern Lakeside Retreat

A neglected 45-year-old summer home in the town of La Valle, Wisconsin, was stripped to its foundation and rebuilt. Why not just construct a new home? The owner loved the view (and he was next door to his sister)! Sometimes that’s all it takes for the Friede team to get in on the action.

Though the owner originally wanted to renovate the existing home, Architect Steve Holzhauer of Holzhauer Partners, realized that too many changes would need to take place to see the property come back to life. Instead, the owner agreed it would be best to tear down the structure and build from the foundation up. Once a home is demolished, the new building and site structure must adhere to new regulations. As a result, the original foundation footings and three walls of the existing basement were kept so extensive site work wouldn't be required.

Another benefit? Lakefront setback rules wouldn't come into play to replicate the amazing views that the property already offered. The new vacation home, on the edge of a 50-foot granite cliff, was designed and built on the original 40’ x 40’ dimensions of the original house. Overhangs and four decks now add drama to the new residence.

The Friede & Associates team was contacted by Holzhauer Partners due to our close proximity to the job site and the available subcontractor base. Plus, our decades of commercial construction experience would allow us to adhere to the project’s strict timeline. The homeowner is a sales representative for an HVAC company and could order equipment and materials below market price. Friede then found a local HVAC contractor to help with the installation. Though the original equipment didn’t fit as expected, we were able to reorder materials and have them installed without disruption to the project schedule.

The home's exterior is made of stone and prefinished LP SmartSide engineered wood siding, which is exceptionally durable. The exterior also is highlighted with custom-bent metal trim pieces. The new home is taller than the previous home. The main room's ceiling is 13 feet, 6 inches tall, with a new fireplace reaching up to the tall ceiling, creating an ideal room for impressive future Christmas trees. The basement's wall was also raised by more than 12 inches to allow for a finished eight-foot ceiling.

During construction, the homeowner decided to finish the basement himself. While the homeowner completed much of the work himself with the help of his brother-in-law, Friede helped by adding lighting fixtures, plumbing, and tile in the basement bathroom. To improve the room's layout, ductwork runs through the joists, so there aren't any drywall drops except at the back of the room.

The charm of this property is its proximity to beautiful Lake Redstone and how it blends into the wooded lot. The owner requested a patio overlooking the lake. After inspecting the site, the landscaper informed the owner that the patio wouldn't be very large once a stone wall was added for privacy. Instead, Friede recommended the construction of four composite wood decks and poured cement walls. Two decks would be located on the back of the house and one on each side. The upper decks each measure 12’ x 20’.

Installing the decks proved to be challenging due to the 50-foot rock face at the back of the property. Friede's team suggested creating buttresses out of concrete and extending them beyond the granite cliff to support the wood deck. Wood beams span the buttresses, which allowed the crew to build cantilever joists beyond the rock face. Finding appropriate railings for the decks also was a concern because of the steep drop to the lake. Friede helped the owner find a custom fabricator to build powder-coated, all-aluminum railings for each deck.

The owner now enjoys a beautiful upper deck that is twice as large as the planned patio, with a magnificent view of the lake. In addition, Friede added a fourth lower deck that features a hot tub. It's close to the house, providing shelter and privacy. The hot tub would have blocked the owners' lakeside view if it had been placed on the upper deck. The house also features an outdoor shower so the family and guests can clean up before entering the home.

While the new home looks entirely different from the original structure, it shares a dramatic side entry with its predecessor. The homeowner can now enjoy a beautiful lake view from the front door. As the project progressed, we realized it was necessary to trim trees and cut dead branches on the property. Removal of this overgrowth has dramatically improved the view.

Grading the property to direct stormwater away from the house was also required during construction. The basement walls were waterproofed to provide additional protection. Black rain chains hang off the roof and are anchored to rock at the bottom of the house to direct the water flow. They also provide an attractive outside finish. The original home included a two-car attached garage. Now there's a four-car garage with a taller garage door with updated roof heights to add visual interest.

“We brought Friede & Associates in early to evaluate costs, construction value, and opportunities,” says Holzhauer. “I felt comfortable that the Friede team understood the design and drawings and could effectively coordinate it.”

What was once a neglected summer home has been reborn as a luxury lakeside property. Holzhauer Partners and the Friede team worked together to create this beautiful executive home with a commanding presence from the top of the rock cliff.