GRAND RAPIDS, MI — There’s an imposing mansion adjacent to downtown Grand Rapids in the historic Heritage Hill neighborhood that has spent the better part of the past half-century hiding in plain sight.

The hidden gem at 221 John St. NE is not easy to see from the side street. Passers-by do not have the opportunity to see much more than the cobbled driveway and the round tower that towers above the landscape.

The nine-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bath shaker-style home is listed for $1.795 million by Bill Tyson and Jason Makowski of NAI Wisinski of West Michigan. The home with many unique features, including ornate stonework, Tiffany stained glass windows and a third floor ballroom, is MLive’s House of the Week. Homes across the state are featured every Wednesday.

FAMILY: Restored 130-year-old Grand Rapids mansion for $1.79 million displays old grandeur

“People walk in and its shock and awe,” Tyson said. “When you walk into a property that’s an old home like this, you’re always worried about what might need to be done. Everything has been taken care of. The last owners did an incredible job restoring the home.”

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The stonework that stretches halfway up the exterior of the house is built from stones hauled from the Grand River. Same thing with the cobbled driveway.

Once past the river cliff and inside the wide oak door, visitors are presented at the grand entrance. Small alcoves around the door are fitted with unique Tiffany glass installations. The room has a prominent fireplace – one of seven in the house. Wooden beams in the ceiling around the first floor are carved in Victorian styles.

An archway off the entry meets a formal dining room, with quaint built-in leaded glass and a preserved stained glass window. Part of the floral wallpaper panel in the vault depicts Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Halfway up the first staircase, a landing introduces you to a peaceful sunroom over the porte cochere on the east side of the home. It’s sunny windows are a peaceful reprieve.

The second floor opens up into a lounge with a stunning fireplace. Five bedrooms are immediately off the living room. Two bedrooms, including the one originally dedicated as the primary, have fireplaces covered in more unique tile.

The third floor opens up into a ballroom. The walls use original pine paneling from the ceiling. An edge-lit sign on the wall honors the original owners, who hosted parties in the space.

A recess in the ballroom became a small seating area. The closest bedroom is in the house’s spire, which allows for its raised, domed ceiling.

The mansion that sits atop Heritage Hill has served many roles. The

has been home to a wealthy businessman, shelter for runaway teenagers and an instrument repair shop. Most recently in 2016, the home was purchased by David and Rae Green of Sanford Behavioral Health to be an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center for up right. to 20 men. The Greens spent about $1 million restoring the home over a year and a half.

Sanford Behavioral Health Executive Vice President and CEO Alec Green, son of David and Rae, said the company’s patients are more acute and changes in the mental health industry have facilitated the need for another space.

Leaving home behind comes with mixed feelings, he said.

“It’s really bittersweet. We grew as a company in this building, and I grew personally,” said Alec Green. “I hope we can find someone who can continue to love this home and continue the mission of preserving its history.”

MLive/The Grand Rapids Press photojournalist Isaac Ritchey was able to visit the home. Check out photos in the gallery above, or click here for a direct link to the gallery.

The history of the home was drawn from one 2017 MLive article covers home restoration.

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