Ralph Levin spent the majority of the year alone in Sturgis, Michigan. Levin, though, had a blast with all the motorcyclists when the gigantic Sturgis Motorcycle Rally came to town once a year.
Even though Levin loved spending time with the bikers at the rally, he also had other interests. He fought his way to the top with a successful scrap metal business, Sturgis Iron and Metal. He founded the company in 1942 and retired from it in 2008.
He dedicated himself to his profession and earned the reputation of a local iron tycoon.
Levin with his wife, Renee built a six-bedroom extravagant home, at the height of his business. Ralph was determined that his love for the roving motorcyclists would not go unnoticed in 1979. He has exquisite taste for his time, and he decked his home out in full 70s gear. However, no one ever knew the truth about his massive home. After Ralph Levin died in August 2014 at age of 92, his wife of 56 years, Renee Messe Levin, died as well in October 2016 at age of 85.
Their house has been vacant for the last two years, but prior to that, biker rally after biker rally came and went at their large home as Ralph Levin enjoyed entertaining. But someone eventually had the audacity to peek inside the building’s walls by opening the front door.
What they discovered revealed a great deal about what the Levins enjoyed doing in private.
The house appears to be rather ordinary from the outside but it does not stand out among the Michigan neighborhood despite the impressive structure that is fit for a regional iron tycoon.
But the ancient Levins home in Sturgis might be just what you’re looking for if you want a house with a vintage or retro appearance. Since it was first constructed in the 1970s, the house has not undergone any architecture or design.
The home’s interior is exquisite, but it has a vast expanse of outdoor space as well. The home includes windows and skylights that let in natural light. The living room, kitchen, and dining area are all connected by an open floor plan to provide a sizable living area. Areas that are suitable for eating, sitting, or mingling are decorated with various types of wood and lighting.
The ground floor level is where all four bedrooms are located. The master bedroom features a large bathtub, a ton of closet space, and a spiral staircase that descends to an office and exercise room on the bottom floor. A spa room is also included on the bottom floor, next to an unfinished basement.
Two of the bedrooms have access to the hot tub, sauna, and dressing rooms located near the pool. A second kitchen is located in the adjacent game room.
The building also contains a garage with space for six to eight automobiles and enough height for a sizable motor home.
And anyone who likes to party would be delighted with many items in the house. As well as complementary bar games, the house has a glass bar, and even a gumball machine. The pinball machines and vertically-lined walls may seem outdated now, but they are a great comfort for anyone who misses that rock and roll dream.
The interior is adorned with lion and tiger statues. Purple shag carpeting gives the home a funky feel, and there are plenty of areas to entertain.
Dennis Bamber, the listing agent said, “It’s a house that was built to live life to the fullest,”
“The [family] pictures I’ve seen from the previous owners, looks like the kids had a ball here — growing up here,” he added.
Sources: AWM, Catersnews, Retrorenovation