Lake Placid Boathouse Offers Casual, Year-Round Luxury

Lake Placid, in upstate New York’s Adirondack Mountains, initially became popular as a tourist destination in the late 19th century. People first came in the summertime, for the cool mountain air, picturesque scenery, and lake swimming. Melvil Dewey, inventor of the Dewey Decimal System, founded what was then called the “Placid Park Club” in 1895 and inspired the village to change its name to Lake Placid. A golf course, one of the first in the nation, was built in 1898.

Before long, winter sports also became popular in the region. Lake Placid positioned itself as an ideal location, and by 1921 the semi-remote vacation village could boast a ski jump, a speed-skating venue and a ski association. In 1929, Dr. Godfrey Dewey, Melvil’s son, successfully convinced the International Olympic Committee that Lake Placid had the best winter sports facilities in the nation. The town is now one of only a few to have hosted the Winter Olympics twice, first in 1932 and again in 1980.

Given the region’s many year-round activities, the new owners of this 2,800-square-foot house, built jutting over the lake, will have plenty to do when not relaxing and enjoying the unspoiled water and mountain views. Listed with Colleen Holmes of Engel & Völkers Lake Placid at $5.5 million, the three-bedroom, 4.5-bath boathouse includes almost half an acre of land on which there’s a recently built guest cottage.

Completely renovated in 2016, the new owners can park both their cars and their boats in this residence. In fact, the sale includes a high-end Duffy 21 Electric Boat, as well as most of the home’s furnishings. Along with the two-boat garage, on the water level is a full bathroom, a heated changing room, a large heated storage space, and laundry facilities. Outside, there’s a large covered deck for lounging, swimming and easy boarding of both motorized and non-motorized watercraft.

Another deck wraps around the main level, which is mostly a large open-concept great room with kitchen, dining, and living areas. Flooring is hickory, while the ceiling is beaded Douglas fir, and huge windows provide stunning vistas, from Whiteface Mountain to Sentinel Range and Marcy Range. The kitchen features premium appliances and walnut wood cabinetry, while the living room includes a rustic stone fireplace, as well as wet bar with granite countertop. The dining room also boasts a fireplace, along with easy access to the deck, which is ready for entertaining with outdoor speakers and a propane hookup for grilling.

There are two en-suite guest bedrooms on the main level, while the main bedroom takes up the entire top floor. A huge skylight over the bed allows for enjoying the night skies, the bathroom has a massive walk-in shower with mountain views, and the large cedar walk-in-closet contains its own washer and dryer. Glass sliders lead to a private deck with an outdoor fireplace.

The property also includes a new lake-view guest house with a single-car garage. The cottage’s two suites each include a private bath and a kitchen. The property also offers a charming playhouse and a fire pit for enjoying crisp fall evenings.

No matter the season, this place is perfect for both enjoying the outdoors and cozying up inside.