Historic Farmhouse ~20 Min to Grand Rapids!

Immerse yourself in history at this American Italianate farmhouse in Hudsonville - located between Grand Rapids and Holland! 'The Fox Briar' was constructed in 1875 by the original owner, Hobert Hallum Hall, and has been updated with new appliances and modern comforts of home. This vacation rental home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and accommodations for up to 12. The property is perfect for a relaxing retreat and lends itself nicely to a getaway with friends or a small family gathering! -- THE PROPERTY -- Bedroom 1: Queen Bed | Bedroom 2: 2 Full Beds | Bedroom 3: 2 Twin-over-Twin Bunk Beds | Living Room: Queen Sleeper Sofa | Additional Sleeping: Air Mattress The 2,100-square-foot home was built from Veneklasen brick, of which only 300 homes remain in the country, with a few included in the National Register of Historic Homes. If you look closely, you'll find inscribed on one brick, the initials H.H. for the original owner Hobart Hall. Some other home highlights of 'The Fox Briar' include original wood flooring and molding cut from wood on the property, and 12-foot ceilings. In addition to the legacy construction, there are modern amenities including new appliances, high-efficiency furnace, central air conditioning, a Nest thermostat, free wireless internet access, a Smart TV, and a fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Out back, there's a lovely deck with patio furniture and dreamy string lights - ideal for enjoying an al fresco meal or a morning cup of coffee! Enjoy a winding walking path around the perimeter of the 5-acre mixed woods property. Depending on the season, you may stumble upon wild black raspberries, fiddlehead, ramps, and morel mushrooms for foraging. Make your way toward the barn and venture inside. The structure has had many past lives. In the basement, you'll find remnants of the old milking room. The barn was also used to house chickens in the mid-1900s. In the last 40 years, the previous owner built furniture out of the barn for Herman Miller, the designer of the Eames Lounge Chair. Climb the stairs to the top floor, and you'll be in the old office and showroom. Be sure to look for the old big red Heart of the Home Furnace; this piece was the original coal-burning stove in the house, built by Holland Furnace, Co. On pleasant evenings, grab some logs from behind the Quonset hut and start a fire in the pit behind the outbuilding. If you listen carefully, you may hear one of the residents barred owls. Speaking of birds, in the past year, 46 species have been documented on the property, like the barred owl, pileated woodpecker, and a variety of warblers. Don't be surprised to see a family of turkeys wandering about or several hummingbirds buzzing by! The property also has several shy chipmunks scurrying about, as well as squirrels, a reclusive red fox, and the occasional white-tailed deer passing through. -- THE LOCATION -- In addition to its rich history, what makes 'The Fox Briar' even more special is its proximity to Holland, Grand Rapids, Saugatuck, and the beach - all less than 30 minutes from your front door. There's so much to do in western Michigan that you may never want to leave! When you're not cooking for yourself, eat out at some of the fantastic local restaurants. Be sure to try The Sovengard, a hip Scandinavian farm-to-table restaurant serving up local, seasonal produce. Other area favorites include Donkey Taqueria and The Winchester in Grand Rapids. The township is named 'Michigan's Saladbowl' because of the incredibly fertile land. There are countless fruit farms within a 10-to-30-minute drive. Depending on the season, enjoy an afternoon of picking raspberries, apples, blueberries, pumpkins, and much more. Be sure to pack your swimsuit, as Lake Michigan beach is only 30 minutes away. Enjoy one of many pristine beaches, like Holland State Park Beach, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Tunnel Park, or Oval Beach. There are some lovely boutiques within 20 minutes, like Francis Jaye and Spring Sweet in Holland. If you're in the mood for antiquing, be sure to forage through the 3 side-by-side antique shops in downtown Grand Rapids - Warehouse One Antiques, Lost & Found Treasures, and Century Antiques. Drive 30 minutes to wander through the quaint town of Saugatuck, where you'll find boutiques, coffee shops, breweries, and restaurants! 'Hall House' is perfectly situated in the epicenter of Michigan brewing! A 20-minute drive gets you to one of the many famous western Michigan breweries, like New Holland, Brewery Vivant, Founder's, and Saugatuck Brewing. Alternatively, check out any number of smaller breweries, like Our Brewing, Atwater Brewery, and Harmony Brewing. Grand Rapids was named Beer City by national polls and Best Beer Scene by USA TODAY. After having a pint at one of the breweries in Grand Rapids, check out all of the city's museums, restaurants, antique stores, and coffee shops. If you love botanical gardens, don't miss out on strolling through Frederick Meijer Gardens! In the summer, bring your clubs and practice your swing at one of the 10 golf courses located less than 20 minutes away. When the temperature drops, hit the slopes at Bittersweet Ski Resort, Timber Ridge, or Cannonsburg Ski Area. If you prefer to take it slower, try cross-country skiing at Pigeon Creek Park. -- REST EASY WITH EVOLVE -- Evolve makes it easy to find and book properties you’ll never want to leave. You can relax knowing that our properties will always be ready for you and that we’ll answer the phone 24/7. Even better, if anything is off about your stay, we’ll make it right. You can count on our homes and our people to make you feel welcome--because we know what vacation means to you. -- POLICIES -- - No smoking - No pets allowed - No events, parties, or large gatherings - Must be at least 25 years old to book - Additional fees and taxes may apply - Photo ID may be required upon check-in - The maximum occupancy is 12 adults but is flexible for groups traveling with children - There is a $500 fine for more than 12 adults - NOTE: Your safety matters. This property features an exterior security camera, around the perimeter, facing out. It does not look into any interior spaces