Living: Lake & Local

LIVING L A K E & LO C A L

WELCOME TO

LIVING L A K E & LO C A L

For the last few years, we have published an annual magazine in Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana. Now we are excited to bring the magazine here to share the stories of local businesses and showcase the beautiful properties that make up Southeast Wisconsin.

While the resort-home communities of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana have long been popular vacation destinations for Chicagoans, their appeal isn’t limited to summer getaways. That was never more apparent than when COVID-19 hit this spring. When the outbreak began, many Chicagoans chose to spend the Stay At Home period at their second homes in these regions. Meanwhile, many other potential homebuyers were inspired to start exploring their options in areas like Lake Geneva and beyond.

There are plenty of great opportunities highlighted in this magazine, and if you are interested in seeing any of the properties in-person, showings will be held by appointment and with extra precautions to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety.

Enjoy the magazine and have a great summer!

Mike Golden & Thad Wong Co-Founders & Co-CEOs of @properties

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CONTENTS FEATURES

04

08 T H E LO CAL LIST Whether you’re new to the area or just in need of some reliable recommendations, discover these beloved local spots.

10 FARM-TO -B RE W Grab a handcrafted beer while watching the sun set on a 150-year-old farm at Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company.

14 WH AT ’S U P WIT H @ ? @properties’ co-founders spend a few minutes going over the history of the company and what’s coming next.

18 LUXU RY LE ADE R

12

See what makes @properties a leader in our industry and how we can help you buy or sell a home.

LISTINGS

16 Discover the season’s newest trends in lake house decor, grab a bite to eat at our favorite restaurants in the area, and see some of the best golf courses in Wisconsin.

21 LAK E G E NE VA See some of our favorite homes in Lake Geneva, Twin Lakes, and a few of the surrounding towns.

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LAKE HOUSE

DECOR 101 A thoughtfully designed weekend getaway or forever retreat can make your home feel like the vacation you’ve been waiting for. Whether you’re designing your lakefront property or just looking for ways to incorporate lake house-inspired decor, here are a few tips to ensure you and your guests feel relaxed and recharged from the moment you walk through the front door.

GROUND

THE SPACE

1

Use natural fibers to ground the space. This may come in the form of a sisal or jute rug, rattan end tables, or seagrass baskets.

In addition to being utilitarian, these organic textures can help prevent the space from feeling too washed out.

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BRING THE

OUTDOORS IN

2

Natural colors such as watery blues and crisp whites are a perfect base palette for a lake house. White creates airy space and brightens the home when hit by the sun’s rays. Add muted colors like greens and grays to anchor this classic color combination.

DON’T SACRIFICE

COMFORT

3

Comfort can be the ultimate luxury. Your home is meant to be a reprieve from the stresses of daily life, so create an inviting haven where guests aren’t afraid to make a mess or put up their feet. Choose fabrics that are easy to clean, such as cotton, linen, or performance fabric. Be sure to keep plenty of extra beach towels on hand, and put blankets and pillows in easy to find spots so your guests feel at home.

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EMBRACE

THE LIGHT

4

Lake houses are synonymous with sunshine and outdoors. To let in as much light as possible, skip the heavy drapery and opt for minimal window treatments.

If home improvement projects are in your plans, consider adding skylights, floor-toceiling windows, and glass doors to maximize the amount of sunlight inside. Hanging additional mirrors will also help the light reflect throughout the room and give the illusion of more space.

EMPHASIZE THE

OUTDOOR SPACE

5

It goes without saying that one of the best attributes of a lake house is the outdoor scenery.

Add ambiance to your deck or patio by hanging string lights or placing wood lanterns. You can also include your new blue, white, and green color palette by updating furniture cushions or accessories like dinnerware, placemats, and cloth napkins.

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PERSONALIZE

THE SPACE

6

Millwork is one of the best ways to customize a home.

Try incorporating shiplap in unexpected places like the ceiling to add interest and depth to the space. And rather than going overboard with nautical decor, consider sophisticated trinkets and meaningful pieces such as family photos, aerial photos of a nearby lake, a vintage map of the area, or any other sentimental items to further personalize the space. These can be from your travels, family history, or lakeside memories, and are a great conversation starter.

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THE LOCAL LIST Whether you’re new to the area or just in need of some reliable recommendations, discover these beloved local spots that never go out of style.

SHOP...

THE CANDLE MERCANTILE LAKE GENEVA Forget about that pungent candle that gives you a headache and create a custom fragrance at The Candle Mercantile. With over 90 fragrances to choose from, you can create a scent that’s perfectly tailored to you in the form of a candle, room spray, body spray, diffuser, or set of wax tarts. You can even scent special celebrations like weddings with a custom candle or room spray.

The number of fragrance options can be overwhelming at first. Luckily, there are Scent Experts at the shop to guide you through the experience. The Candle Mercantile also sells pre-poured soy candles, reed diffusers, and various body products. Visit thecandlemercantile.com for details and don’t forget to email info@thecandlemercantile.com to make a reservation.

870 W. Main St., Lake Geneva

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DO… BOARD & BRUSH CREATIVE STUDIO LAKE GENEVA Tap into your inner artist when you attend a workshop at Board & Brush Creative Studio. Owned by high school sweethearts Julie and Curt Selby, Board & Brush gets you into full DIY mode and provides all of the materials needed to craft your sign. All you have to do is pick your preferred custom sign design, sign up for a workshop, and show up for a fun, instructor-led experience.

In addition to their calendar of workshops, Board & Brush offers private workshops for events or even just a special night out with friends. Class sizes have been limited to ensure social distancing so be sure to head to www.boardandbrush.com/lakegeneva to book your reservation.

262 Center St., Lake Geneva

SEE… TRISTAN CRIST MAGIC THEATRE LAKE GENEVA You don’t have to go all the way to Las Vegas to see a worldclass magic show. The Tristan Crist Magic Theatre brings the scale and scope of Vegas-style magic and illusion to Lake Geneva. Hosted by longtime magician and illusionist Tristan Crist, the high-energy 60-minute show is held in a small theatre, offering an intimate viewing experience to attendees.

There isn’t a bad seat in the house!

Tristan invites audience members to participate in every show and try to spot missteps in his carefully executed performance.

So far, everyone who has been to a show is still scratching their heads. With new illusions and magic added every month, no two shows are the same. Visit www.lakegenevamagic.com to purchase tickets and to find out what social distancing and safety measures are in place amid COVID-19.

100 N. Edwards Blvd., Lake Geneva

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FARM-TO-

BREW

Set on the 150-year-old farm of its namesake family, Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company is the place to be if you’re looking for a charming way to spend an afternoon in Southeast Wisconsin.

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When the original late-1800s farmhouse fell into disrepair, owners Laura Duesterbeck Johnson and Ben Johnson wanted to create a business that they could pass on to their kids just as Laura’s family had done for generations.

“Small family farming is difficult to sustain,” Laura says, so they discussed moving the business in a unique direction that would take advantage of the scenic property. And so they did. The Johnsons refocused the business on what they now call “brewiculture” – a microbrewery on a farm. This new form of agriculture allows Ben, a home brewer with almost 20 years of experience, to put his skills to

good use and share them with a much wider community.

Laura, capitalizing on her husband’s high-quality brewing skills, conceived the idea to build a new red barn and turn it into a brewhouse.

Duesterbeck’s customers can try a rotating selection of beers, including the malty Crop Duester cream ale; the Bentist Candy, a juicy IPA with citrus, peach, and grapefruit notes; the Bees Be Crazy honey weizen; and Nutty Bill’s peanut butter porter. Beers on tap are offered at 16-, 32and 64-ounce sizes, but also in four- and six-beer flights.

You can also get Sprecher sodas, brewed kombucha on tap, and food like soft pretzels, Sperino’s pizza, and fresh cheese curds.

Open since the fall of 2019, Duesterbeck’s is a farmhouse brewery in Elkhorn that has five generations of hard work behind it.

The Johnsons used reclaimed wood from the original farm house to build the interior of the taproom. That same wood is also atop the bar and tabletops as well as the trim around the windows and doors. And when patrons aren’t admiring the family memorabilia used to decorate the taproom, they can peer out the windows and take in the views of the adjacent corn fields.

Duesterbeck’s recently completed construction on their expansive outdoor patio, where patrons can imbibe and enjoy live music from local bands.

“This project started as a necessity to rehab a fivegeneration family farm,” adds Laura. It’s become that and a whole lot more as customers praise the friendly atmosphere, quality handcrafted beer, and picturesque farm setting.

Keep up with Duesterbeck’s on social media at www.facebook.com/dbcbrewery or their website at www.dbcbrewery.com. atproperties.com | 11

Food and drinks always taste better with a view.

Between rolling hills, stunning waterfront vistas, and expanses of gorgeous landscape, there are plenty of restaurants in the area that fit the bill. Here are a few of our favorite spots to enjoy a meal or cocktail.

MARS RESORT LAKE GENEVA Mars Resort has been serving up barbecue and casual American dishes for almost 100 years. Hailed as a premier hangout among locals, the restaurant was recently remodeled to emulate a 1950s supper club with dark and intentionally-dated interiors that contrast its unrivaled views of the lake. Popular events such as weekly singalongs at the piano bar and live music on the beach will keep your toes tapping as you dine and taste expertly blended cocktails.

The lakeside gem is especially known for the barbecue ribs, which are best enjoyed while relaxing on the large patio outside. With friendly staff to always make you feel welcome, it only takes one visit to Mars Resort to see why everyone raves about this Lake Geneva staple. www.Mars-Resort.com

MANNY’S SNACK SHACK TWIN LAKES Anyone craving a big, hearty breakfast knows to go to Manny’s Snack Shack in Twin Lakes. Chef and owner Manny treats you just like family as he serves up unforgettable meals in a lively atmosphere. Manny’s has a great view of Lake Mary, which makes the dining experience all the more satisfying.

You’ll definitely want to come back after trying the perfectly sweet cinnamon butter French toast, a breakfast burrito that’s bursting with deliciousness, or one of the oversized omelets. www.facebook.com/MannysOnTheLake

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DINING WITH A VIE HUNT CLUB STEAKHOUSE LAKE GENEVA Head to Geneva National Resort for a warm and inviting dining experience that overlooks the Gary Player-designed golf course and the western shore of Lake Como. Built in a unique historical building from 1915, the two-story mansion was revived in 2013 as the Hunt Club Steakhouse, which delivers mouthwatering steaks and delicious seafood options like the cedar-planked salmon and lobster tails.

Limited seating, dark-stained pine paneling, and a fireplace add to the intimacy of the club. Frequent diners know to ask for calamari to start, the 8-ounce filet mignon or 16-ounce ribeye for the main dish, and crème brûlée or tiramisu for dessert. www.HuntClubSteakHouse.com

G EW BAKER HOUSE 1885 LAKE GENEVA Travel back in time for a one-of-a-kind dining experience at Baker House. Overlooking Geneva Lake, the summer cottage serves Victorian grandeur alongside tasty dishes and beverages. Dine al fresco on the Lakefront Garden as you watch the sunset or take in the views from the Sunset Lounge inside. Open year-round, the lounge is doused in vintage glamour and has great views of the garden and Geneva Bay. Should you save enough room after your entree, be sure to check out the dessert menu. Any meal here is best finished with some of Baker House’s signature chocolate mousse or a slice of their refreshing lemon cake. www.BakerHouse1885.com

BARRIQUE BISTRO & WINE BAR LAKE GENEVA Located on the shores of Geneva Lake, Barrique Bistro & Wine Bar is the perfect spot for a relaxing meal.

Every table has a view of the picturesque lakefront, but seasonal outdoor seating on the patio is decidedly the best place to dine during the summer.

Barrique has over 75 international selections of wine and more than 60 craft brews to choose from. So whether you choose to have a full meal or just enjoy small plates and a drink by the water, you’re in for a treat. www.BarriqueWineBar.com

GENEVA CHOPHOUSE LAKE GENEVA Find the perfect wine to pair with a carefully selected, seasoned, and prepared steak at Geneva ChopHouse.

Stellar seafood, top-notch cocktails, and delectable desserts round out the expansive menu here.

Enjoy views of the scenic Wisconsin countryside as you dine on the patio that overlooks a breathtaking private lake and the 18th hole of Grand Geneva’s championship golf course, The Brute. Executive Chef Nelly Buleje recommends the Branzino Meuniere with crab, spinach, caper butter, and preserved lemon and herbs. www.GrandGeneva.com/Restaurants/Geneva-ChopHouse

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WHAT’S UP WITH @?

It’s been 20 years since Mike Golden and Thad Wong started @properties. What began as a four-person boutique firm has since become the fastest-growing residential real estate company in

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Southeast Wisconsin and the largest brokerage firm in the entire Chicago metro area. Here’s a glimpse at how the duo transformed @properties from a spirited startup into a real estate leader.

How did @properties come to be?

Mike: Back in the mid ‘90s, Thad and I were selling real estate at a small Chicago brokerage firm where we specialized in new construction and loft conversion developments. We decided to partner up, and we’ve been at it ever since.

Thad: We were generating a ton of business for the firm, but we weren’t receiving any marketing or administrative support. Ultimately, we realized that if we could offer agents the same level of support that we were giving our developer clients, we would have a strong value proposition that would attract agents and allow us to grow a traditional brokerage business.

So we started @properties.

20 YEARS OF

INNOVATION

In less than 10 years, @properties became the #1 brokerage firm in Chicago, overtaking other firms in the city that had been in business for decades. How did you do it?

Thad: Our focus has always been on providing the best services and resources to our agents, buyers, and sellers. Early on, a lot of it came down to marketing. And because we were new in an industry that was very established, we knew we would have to market at the highest level. Over the last 10 years, we’ve continued to build the marketing piece while focusing heavily on the development of technology.

Mike: Fortunately, we had this newconstruction experience where the marketing was very sophisticated. We committed to bringing that same level of sophistication to all of our materials and that really resonated with agents and consumers.

By 2013, @properties was the largest independent brokerage firm in Illinois.

Then you expanded to the resort-home markets of Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. What was the reasoning behind that?

Mike: The housing market was recovering and more of our Chicagoland clients were looking at vacation properties in areas like Harbor Country, St. Joseph, and Lake Geneva. It was a natural progression for us.

Thad: Having the largest market share in Chicago and surrounding areas like the North Shore, we knew we had a huge network of potential vacation homebuyers. We were confident that we could cross-market to our clients very efficiently, so that eventually led us here and spurred growth.

What have the last few years looked like for @properties, and what’s ahead?

Thad: Over the last few years we’ve made a significant investment in pl@tform™ – our proprietary technology suite. The applications are primarily broker-facing at this point, but we are

preparing the launch of our consumer app. I think we have a very realistic goal of making pl@tform™ the premier end-to-end technology for real estate brokerage.

Mike: We’ve also been growing our geographic footprint. We’ve entered Chicago’s western suburbs in a big way, and the synergies between that region and this one are great. Everything that we’re doing right now – whether it’s a new office, a new investment, or a new technology or marketing tool – is aimed at putting our agents and clients in the best position for success. We’re very optimistic about what’s ahead for our company, our agents, and our clients.

Source: BrokerMetrics LLC, Closed Sales Volume; Residential Properties; Chicagoland, City of Chicago, North Shore, respectively; 6/1/2019 - 5/31/2020 Fastest-growing brokerage firm in Southeast Wisconsin based on sales volume growth among top 5 firms in Walworth County, Single-Family & Condominium Properties, 6/1/2019 – 5/31/2020 vs. 6/1/2018 – 5/31/2019

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UN-FORE-GETTABLE Take advantage of Lake Geneva’s gorgeous summer weather and perfect your swing at one of the area’s best golf courses.

ABBEY SPRINGS GOLF COURSE

LAKE LAWN RESORT

HAWK’S VIEW GOLF CLUB

GENEVA NATIONAL RESORT & CLUB

GRAND GENEVA RESORT & SPA

FONTANA, WI

DELAVAN, WI

LAKE GENEVA, WI

LAKE GENEVA, WI

LAKE GENEVA, WI

Views of the lake and surrounding landscapes, manicured greens, and lush

Set on over 250 acres, the Majestic Oaks Course is known for its spectacular views

Take in breathtaking vistas while playing on the natural elevations of Barn Hollow, a

Play like a pro at this picturesque golf club, where you can take on three courses designed

Rated one of Wisconsin’s top resorts, Grand Geneva is known for its two

fairways characterize this popular course.

of Delavan Lake and beautiful mature trees.

world-renowned 18hole executive course.

by golf legends Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, & Lee Trevino.

championship courses: The Brute and The Highlands.

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I S T H E U N I T Y I N O U R CO M M U N I T Y

3102 Lakeshore Way • $1,315,000 Sold by Stephanie Parent

LUXURY LEADE Selling a luxury home is no small undertaking. It requires an extra level of support and strategic marketing that will generate the broadest exposure to find the right buyer.

As the #1 luxury brokerage firm in the entire Chicago metro area and within a number of submarkets, @properties knows what drives success in this market. Here are just a few things high-end home sellers gain when they tap the expertise of an @properties agent:

Source: BrokerMetrics LLC, #1 Luxury Brokerage Firm in the Chicago Metro Area Based on Closed Sales Volume, $1 Million+, Residential Properties, 6/1/2019 - 5/31/2020

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LOCAL MARKET EXPERTISE Real estate is a local business. Trends vary town to town and block to block, and it’s essential to know what’s happening in your submarket.

That’s why it’s important to work with a local agent who has bootson-the-ground insights into local market trends and pricing activity.

At @properties, our agents live and work in these communities.

And they are so plugged into the market that understanding and accounting for hyper-local trends is innate.

N2293 Chapin Rd Pier 95 • $1,185,000 Sold by Gina Nocek

ER 2129 E Lakeshore Drive, 113 • $1,855,000 Sold by Mary Brennan

GLOBAL EXPOSURE While local expertise and market knowledge are essential, keep in mind that a luxury homebuyer may be located in a different part of the country or even the world. So it’s crucial to have a national and international marketing strategy.

Through @properties’ affiliation with Luxury Portfolio International, we market luxury listings to affluent homebuyers in more than 800 cities around the globe.

Luxury Portfolio is an exclusive network that represents more million-dollar listings than any other real estate franchise group or affiliate organization, offering an extraordinary amount of global exposure for high-end homes. More exposure ultimately means more webpage views, showing requests, and, more often than not, a faster and more lucrative sale.

In addition to LuxuryPortfolio.com, our luxury listings receive exposure on partner websites such as WSJ.com, Juwai.com, and countrylife.co.uk.

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3102 Lakeshore Way • $1,315,000 Sold by Stephanie Parent

CUTTING-EDGE MARKETING & TECHNOLOGY Sophisticated marketing materials are a must when selling a luxury property. After all, you’re not just selling a home – you’re selling a lifestyle.

From hardcover brochures with beautiful photography to multi-layered digital marketing strategies that include professional listing videos, partnerships with real estate ad platforms, virtual tours, and more, @properties agents leverage the highest quality materials and channels to make a listing stand out and to help buyers envision themselves living in the home – before they even step inside.

Meanwhile, our proprietary technology and marketing suite, pl@tform, makes the selling process more seamless for both our agents and clients.

POWERFUL NETWORK Exposure through a network of agents is another great way to get more eyes on a home. @properties agents use an internal communications app that generates pre-market exposure to nearly 3,000 agents – each with a broad sphere of influence.

At the same time, our leading market share in Chicago and its most affluent suburban markets means we have access to an expansive network of potential vacation homebuyers and can cross-market very efficiently.

4675 N Pine Meadows Lane • $3,500,000 Sold by Jim Treis

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To learn more about how @properties’ luxury marketing programs position sellers for success, reach out to an agent at atproperties.com/agents.

F E AT U R E D

LISTINGS atproperties.com | 21

www.BrownsLakeHome.info • Burlington, WI • $1,750,000 • Daniel Kroll

www.3411MichiganBlvd.info

www.LakeShangrila.info

www.DiggerDoug.info

Racine, WI • $1,499,000 Chris Ecklund

Bristol, WI • $1,499,000 Jake Hansen

Salem, WI • $1,400,000 Jake Hansen

www.1851GenevaClubDr18-16.info • Lake Geneva, WI • $1,285,000 • Rio Ackman 22 | Living: Lake & Local

www.2859SouthRoad.info

www.8925Tamarack.info

Burlington, WI • $1,100,000 Karen Koehn

Whitewater, WI • $1,099,000 Lynnette Phillips

www.3312976ThSt.info • Burlington, WI • $825,000 • Stephanie Parent

600 Legend Dr #4-38

www.223347ThAvenue.info

Lake Geneva, WI • $879,000 Rio Ackman

Kenosha, WI • $750,000 Michael Passafaro atproperties.com | 23

2910 Bridle Ct

www.1011WMainSt.info

Lake Geneva, WI • $685,000 Diane Krause

Lake Geneva, WI • $669,900 Lynnette Phillips

www.148MayflowerLn.info • Fontana, WI • $614,000 • Julie Morse

www.Paris32Acres.info

www.N7960OakRdg.info

Bristol, WI • $650,000 Dan Kruchko

Whitewater, WI • $650,000 Mary Brennan

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www.W3109KruegerRd.info • Lake Geneva, WI • $555,000 • Diane Krause

www.3655589ThSt.info

www.1520 Prestwick Pl #20-50

www.N1526WillowBrookRoad.info

Twin Lakes, WI • $579,000 Thomas Pullen

Lake Geneva, WI • $575,000 Patrick Moore

Lake Geneva, WI • $567,000 Martha Cucco

www.307WaterSt.info • Lake Geneva, WI • $534,000 • Rio Ackman atproperties.com | 25

www.150LakeSt1A.info

www.410NCogswellDr.info

www.1025WisconsinSt.info

Fontana, WI • $525,000 Martha Cucco

Silver Lake, WI • $500,000 Stephanie Parent

Lake Geneva, WI • $499,000 Gina Nocek

www.23510112ThSt.info

www.101BroadStC4.info

Trevor, WI • $495,000 Mary Biagini

Lake Geneva, WI • $489,000 Fred Geldermann

www.1214CarnoustieCt15-25.info

www.1211PheasantCourt.info

www.29MenomoneeRd.info

Lake Geneva, WI • $479,900 Stephanie Parent

Lake Geneva, WI • $465,000 Diane Krause

Williams Bay, WI • $440,000 Stephanie Parent

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www.172338ThCourt.info • Kenosha, WI • $435,000 • Danielle Passafaro

1070 S Lake Shore Dr #11-B1

www.2138HeatherDr.info

www.660GreenfieldSt.info

Lake Geneva, WI • $425,000 Patrick Moore

Lake Geneva, WI • $399,000 Patrick Moore

Elkhorn, WI • $339,000 Cory Foat

www.6651LakesideRd.info • Lake Geneva, WI • $339,900 • Gina Nocek atproperties.com | 27