A four bedroom cottage originally designed and built by Irving PriceCo-founder of Fisher Price Toy Company, has hit the market on the shores of Lake Erie for the bargain price of $399,000.
Built in 1926 as the Price family’s summer home, the waterfront property in Fredonia, New York, is said to be the place where the inventor tested new toys, according to neighbors.
“Originally designed and built by Irving Price, co-founder of the Fisher Price Toy Company, as his family’s summer home, this home has a rich and enchanting history,” the listing reads.
“Over the years, neighbors have told stories about how Mr. Price would test out his new toys at Greencrest.”
The latest listing marks the first time the home has come to the market in more than five decades, having been sold by the Price family many years ago. The current owner has no connection to Irving or his descendants, but the toymaker’s original design remains largely intact.
“The seller has owned the house for 52 years,” said the real estate agent Edward Miller III from ERA Team VP Real Estate. “It’s very rustic inside, the walls are open so you can talk about it.”
Nestled in the Greencrest-on-the-Lake community, the home sits on nearly three-quarters of an acre with prime water frontage and a private beach for swimming and boating.
“It has 155 feet of lakefront, which is incredible,” Miller said. “If you’re lucky, most homes are 40 to 75 feet. The property alone is worth $250,000. The beach is what this property is all about.”
Vaulted ceilings, exposed beams and hardwood floors are found throughout the 1,155 square foot interior.
Miller says the seasonal residence could easily be converted into a year-round home if the next buyer desires.
And while the interior design may be rustic, the home’s prime location so close to the lake has already made it a sought-after property among potential buyers, Miller revealed.
“We already have three offers on the property, but I could imagine a family coming over and enjoying summers on the lake, or grandparents buying it for the whole family,” he noted. “Because it’s seasonal, you can’t finance unless you have year-round heat, and that doesn’t exist in this house.”
The cozy living room features a floor-to-ceiling wood-burning fireplace. There’s also a “compact kitchen” and a master suite with French doors that reveal spectacular water views.
Two additional bedrooms, including a bunk room, are ideal for guests. A loft area could also be used as additional sleeping accommodation or converted into an entertainment area.
A covered porch overlooking the water is a lovely spot for morning coffee or to enjoy the breathtaking sunsets over the lake.
The property is located near Lake Erie State Park and is within walking distance of Van Buren Point and Van Buren Bay.
“It’s a strong neighborhood with a lot of retired professionals,” Miller added. “It’s also a college town. The University of Fredonia is here and it’s centrally located. Erie, Pa., is just an hour away.”
Irving and his family originally built the house five years before he co-founded Fisher Price Hermann Fischer And Helen Schelle.
Although it is not known exactly how long the toy inventor and his family owned the property, Irving spent much of his time in upstate New York after retiring from his job at Fisher Price around 1966.
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Kellie Speed is a contributor at Realtor.com. As a writer and editor, she has worked for a variety of online and print publications, including Inked Magazine, Jetset, Westchester Magazine, JustLuxe, The Boston Globe, and US Veterans Magazine. A native of Massachusetts, Kellie studied journalism at Northeastern University, was previously an editor at Haute Living in Boston, and contributed to Avalon Publishing’s Moon Metro Boston travel guide. Kellie writes celebrity profiles and reports on restaurants, travel and lifestyle.
