Description
Designed by renowned architect Harry Schrader, Merancas Island is an extraordinary private island standing as one of the most significant residential offerings ever to come to market in the Carolinas. Spanning 4.5 pristine acres along Lake Norman's shoreline, this estate delivers a resort lifestyle with no equal. Custom architectural details, bespoke lighting, and timeless design define every corner of the 14,317-square-foot residence.
A gated entry winds through lush tropical grounds past palm trees, sculpture gardens, the guest house, and tennis court before arriving at the primary residence, where breathtaking lake views greet you from every room. A covered pavilion entry path flanked by a tranquil pond leads to curved doors with elegant colored glasswork, opening into a foyer of immediate distinction. Soaring 20-foot ceilings and a refined stone fireplace set the tone for the craftsmanship found throughout. Elevator access to the upper level and attic is positioned just off the entry hall.
The great room is the heart of the home, featuring a 25-foot ceiling, lake views on three sides, and expansive windows that dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior. A gas fireplace anchors the space as doors flow out onto multiple patios overlooking the water. The kitchen features a generous island, gas cooktop and ovens, granite countertops, and a full butler's pantry, all complemented by a sunny breakfast area with lake views. The dining room offers architectural ceiling details, a stone fireplace, and a custom light fixture by Schrader, with direct access to a screened outdoor patio. A dedicated wine room with stone finishes, custom racks, and glass display cabinetry sits nearby.
One of the home's most remarkable amenities is the enclosed indoor pool, clad in Tennessee Field Stone and cedar walls beneath a cedar ceiling with skylights and integrated plant walls. A full bath with sauna complements the pool area. Adjacent, a sun-filled flex room with plantation shutters and a glass wall peering into the pool space serves equally well as a bonus guest suite, office, or playroom. A private executive office features custom built-ins and a sliding panel connecting to the crafting room beyond, a generous creative space anchored by a large center island. Additional main-level spaces include a storage room, a full bath, a powder room, and a drop zone from the three-car garage.
The upper level is anchored by the exceptional primary suite, featuring a custom platform bed with integrated bookshelves, a fireplace, and a hidden bookcase door that opens to a reading loft with a spiral staircase to the great room, making this space genuinely one of a kind. The primary bath offers dual vanities, a soaking tub, a custom stone and wood shower, and two walk-in closets with glass display cabinets. A private terrace overlooks the water from the bedroom.
Two guest bedrooms offer lake views and an ensuite bath, served by an additional shared hall bathroom. The theater room delivers a full entertainment experience with a pool table, wet bar, and projector system. The children's playroom is a world of its own, a hand-painted mural wraps the walls and ceiling, built-in beds with trundles, and an adjacent wet room handles every art project and lake-day cleanup with ease.
The guest house offers a recently updated retreat with an open-concept living and kitchen area, two bedrooms, a shared bath, and its own three-car garage. Outside, stone walkways wind through the island, past a fenced tennis court, two docks with boat lifts and a covered gazebo, a sandy private beach, a shed, and a dog run.
Ideally situated less than 30 minutes from Uptown Charlotte with convenient access to major roadways, Merancas Island places you at the heart of everything Lake Norman has to offer, from world-class dining, boating, waterfront recreation, to a vibrant social scene. This is lake living at its absolute finest.
