Great Lake Story 2016
Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five |
Chapter Six
Lakes have long been synonymous with peace, quiet, and reflection. To those who build homes on the shores and banks, the water’s edge offers a personal Walden, a testament to the desire to slow down and take pause.
The rolling hills on the western shore of Spring Lake have long been host to those searching for a serene landscape. Originally a fruit farm, the area that locals refer to as St. Lazare, was once a summer retreat for the Bretz family from Chicago. In the 1950s, it was sold to the Grand Rapids Catholic Diocese and became home to a 50 room retreat house, a place where people could come for contemplation and spiritual refreshment.
The tradition of tranquility now continues with The Sanctuary at St. Lazare, a new waterfront development by custom-home builder David C. Bos homes. The single-family community has been designed in a manner that intentionally protects the integrity of the land, something that was of utmost importance to BLUE’s 2016 Great Lake Story homeowners.
Alison Fox and her husband, Steven Fox, grew up on Spring Lake, and as they began their search for the perfect place to build their lakefront home, The Sanctuary at St. Lazare was their first choice.
“We both had the experience of growing up on the lake, and we wanted our kids to have that same experience of being on the water,” Fox said, though she admits she didn’t think it’d be on Spring Lake.
“Building new is pretty limited here,” she explained. When they discovered the former retreat land would be up for sale, they jumped at the opportunity. “We knew what a great piece of property it was.”
The Sanctuary at St. Lazare is one of the last remaining lakefront parcels to be built out, presenting a unique opportunity for those looking to make their unique mark on the historic area.
The Foxes’ site is nestled on a bluff and presents an expansive view of the lake. “That was the main selling point,” Fox said. “Being set back in the woods but still able to see such a huge portion of the lake.”
Bos Homes has an array of experts who visit each property and note how to best maximize view lines and incorporate client ideas while being sensitive to the land. It is through this spirit of collaboration that they can truly create spaces where residents can live beautifully.
“At The Sanctuary, we’ve preserved the natural topography of the site and designed the neighborhood into it,” said David J. Bos, vice president of Bos Homes. An existing groomed nature trail that runs along the area’s ravines will remain in place, while the community’s streetscape was created with minimal tree removal.
Known for its emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship, in addition to its creativity and outstanding craftsmanship, Bos Homes has its own legacy. A legacy built on integrity that creates a peace of mind that lasts long after the construction dust has settled.
Look for Chapter Two of Great Lake Story, “Sanctuary at St. Lazare,” in Michigan BLUE Magazine’s upcoming Spring edition (April/May). Meanwhile, you can follow along online at mibluemag.com and sanctuaryspringlake.com and on the websites of the project sponsors.
Meanwhile, get acquainted and learn more online by visiting:
ABC Supply
www.abcsupply.com
Bos Homes
www.boshomes.com
Carpet Bonanza
www.carpetbonanza.com
Rycenga’s
www.rycenga.com
Andersen Windows
www.andersenwindows.com
Lakeside Surfaces
www.lakesideinc.com
2016 Great Lakes Story Sponsors
