This large, spectacular waterfront home, with over 3,800 square feet of living space (and potential for more expansion within the home’s original footprint) somehow still manages to exude a charming “cottage in the woods” kind of feeling. The property extends over 6.03 partially wooded acres in the quiet North Shore community of Pasadena. It has shallow water frontage on Grays Creek with a 70-foot dock and water views from two sides. Originally built to classic Southern Living plans, this modern cottage has been completely re-imagined and thoughtfully renovated from top to bottom. The owners have created a beautifully modern, environmentally friendly, secure family estate. Upgrades are almost too numerous to list them all!
Hardwood floors extend to all three levels. The primary bedroom’s en suite bath was completely renovated and includes heated marble floors and a garden tub. The kitchen has new granite countertops and stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliances. The custom-designed hardwood staircase in the central corridor creates an elegant anchor to the main level. Upstairs, both bathrooms were renovated, including an extensive redesign of the hall bathroom.
Energy efficient and cozy pellet stoves add heat to the primary bedroom, the living room, and the garage/workshop. The pellet stoves provide backup heat on cold nights in addition to the central HVAC system and the geothermal heating and cooling systems. Foam insulation was added into the second floor walls and the attic. In the attic—a huge space with ample headroom—a new HVAC system was added. Thus the attic is now a conditioned, insulated space, already wired and ready to be converted to additional living space or provide climate-safe storage. The asphalt roof was fully replaced in 2022, with metal dormers added as well as metal sections where the roof profile curves towards the horizon, which will enhance the long-term waterproofing of the roof system.
The basement has two layers of 3/4” sheet rock for sound insulation, perfect for action-packed movie nights in the recently finished screening room. Just off the screening room is another space that was designated in the original plans to be a wine cellar. Three new heavily insulated garage doors were also added, as well as a dedicated power supply for whatever car charger a new buyer might wish to install. A large deck off the back of the house was rebuilt with underpinnings and storage underneath. The deck has views of the water and woods, as well as a hot tub. The owners also completely redesigned and replaced the front porch to create one big, elegant wraparound porch.
The owners enjoy a water doctor water system that purifies water with no chemicals (replacing the original chemical-based system), as well as a redundant reverse osmosis system for drinking water. An open lawn behind the house was originally slated for a detached three-gar garage with a second-story living space. The current three-car garage and workshop had originally been conceived as a 1100-square-foot au pair suite.
Six security light poles and 54 cameras provide significant security around the property. They also provide six sets of outdoor outlets and, to keep it fun, each pole is equipped with an outdoor sound system! Perfect for summer parties, the music extends all the way to the 400-square-foot outdoor dance floor next to the dock! The dance floor was refreshed this spring with drainage improvements and fresh paint. The 70-foot dock provides perfect water access for canoes, kayaks, SUPS and catamarans. It also offers priceless views of the birds, fish and shoreline of this slice of paradise on Gray’s Creek.
The voluntary North Shore neighborhood association includes access to a private marina and boat ramp and a community beach. It is rare to find a property like this, one that has been massively upgraded and improved from its original plans, and yet still has so many more possibilities for future plans and generations.
