Art Van Elslander, owner of Art Van Furniture, has finally sold his Grosse Pointe Shores mansion.
Who bought it and for how much isn't clear.
All we know is someone snapped up the mansion -- nearly 18,000 square feet -- that had been on the market a year ago for $15.9 million, but never sold. This time, it sold via auction.
The Detroit News reports that the Grand Estates Auction Co. of Charlotte, N.C., which handled the auction, announced on Tuesday that the home had been sold. It did not include any details about the price or the new owner.
The News writes:
It has six bedrooms, all suites — and 13 bathrooms, nine full and four half. It has an indoor and outdoor pool, two-story marble foyer and floating staircase. It has wall murals, 30-foot draperies, dangling crystals, an elevator, wine cellar and five-car garage.
What's outside? Its 3.75 acres hold a tennis court, basketball court, putting green, pond and a fountain. One neighbor is Lake St. Clair. Another is the home built by Edsel and Eleanor Ford, which wasn't so shabby itself.
Here's how the home is described on the auction website:
Welcome to one of the grandest homes in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in America! Located on the shore of Lake St. Clair, 15 miles north of downtown Detroit, Michigan, it was custom built in the style of a 16th century French chateau. This masterpiece strikes a perfect balance between elegance and intimacy, combining palace-sized rooms and opulent custom finishes with modern comforts and play zones for the entire family.
The main level is dedicated to impressing the most distinguished of guests. It starts the moment you walk through the soaring, two-story foyer into the formal living room with its stunning Rococo-style fireplace and 21 vertical feet of leaded glass windows overlooking the lake. The dining room is equally jaw-dropping: 36 feet long, with a table that can expand to seat 26 guests. The gourmet kitchen is well able to cater the banquet with state-of-the-art appliances, two sinks and two islands.
The terrace walk-out level is the fun zone. Here the family can splash in the indoor pool, relax in the indoor spa, watch a movie in the theater while nibbling snacks made in the full lower level kitchen, shoot some pool in the game room, or rejuvenate in the wellness center with exercise, a massage, sauna or steam. Walk through the terrace doors and you come to the outdoor play area with pool, tennis and basketball courts and a putting green complete with bunker.
On the upper level, the master suite pampers the owners with unparalleled luxury and convenience, from the fireplace sitting area to the spacious walk-in closet/dressing room to the opulent master bath. All five guest bedrooms have en-suite baths and private balconies, including the separate carriage house apartment.
