M-22 House Offers Traverse City Vacations for $3.99 Million

Designed by Traverse City architect Michael Fitzhugh, the 4-bed, 5.5-bath M-22 house offers panoramic views of Grand Traverse Bay, not to mention an indoor pool, spa and sauna. While the home has every conceivable luxury (chef's kitchen, meditation room, a black walnut hanging staircase), the most intriguing aspect of this home lies deep inside its mechanicals.The house relies on geothermal heating and cooling, and comes complete with a hydroelectric generator that uses rainwater and groundwater to provide electrical power.

Situated at the top of a ridge overlooking the bay, the architect wanted the home's design to "reflect the elements of water, wind, earth and fire." With four bedrooms and five baths, the house seems perfectly suited to luxury living in the heart of one of Michigan's great waterfront vacation spots. Modern in every way, the house also offers "smart home" technology, including security cameras that can be checked remotely, and the unique heating, cooling and electrical system means that when the zombie apocalypse comes, the M-22 House's lucky owners will have the whole off-the-grid living thing as a the perfect fallback position. - Rebecca Golden

· Michael Fitzhugh [architect]
· 10008 E Leeward Shores Drive [Coldwell Banker]