519 Central Ave Whitefish, MT 59937

Remarks: Charming Arts & Crafts bungalow in the heart of everything wonderful about Whitefish, Montana. Across the street from a park with tennis courts, the Whitefish River (complete with beaver lodge and kayak launch docks), and the bike path that goes right to Whitefish Lake City Beach. A block from the rich pageantry of downtown with it's galleries, restaurants, festivals, farmer's market, shops, and thriving nightlife. With 1,208 square feet, the home has four rooms that have been used as bedrooms. Two of them are currently dual offices, a third a lux closet room that doubles as a guest room, and the fourth the primary bedroom. Surface Water: YES The 1922 house's original wood floors and trim have been artfully and lovingly restored, and its generous 9-foot ceilings highlighted with picture rail and crown moldings. The open concept design includes a bay window with seating and storage, a picture window, a bistro kitchen with great appliances -- a new two-door ice machine fridge, a Bosch dishwasher, convection oven, two-burner professional gas stove and 2-burner infrared overflow stove. The bathroom features a built in, platformed soaking tub for surrounding yourself with candles, a handsome Arts & Craft vanity and storage galore with built-in shelving and a sliding wall mirror. The unfinished half basement is 423 square feet of plentiful storage, set up currently as a craft/sewing area, and includes an enclosed 7 by 9 foot concrete "bunker," great for a loading room, grow room, or wine cellar.

Outside the home, the front boasts the "best porch in town," wide and sheltering with a porch swing, sporting equipment storage, and a conversation area, all overlooking the park. With four-season narrative front landscaping, including two sugar maples to tap each spring for a year's supply of maple syrup, rare plants, a soaring metal sculpture solar lit at night, and a little library.

The north side yard includes bike and kayak storage, while the south yard features a raised bed kitchen garden with arched trellises, solar lights, tiny pond, potting bench and contemplation bench, along with a separate medicinal herb garden.


The backyard is a private sanctuary inspired by Japanese garden aesthetics, and includes unique, treasured trees and plants all secluded with complete privacy fencing. The gardens become magical at night with a blend of lighting. The above-ground pool is great for aqua fitness, water romping, and moonlit skinny dipping, complete with an observation deck. The kitchen area is sheltered under an "eat, play, lounge" awning and includes a large workspace/counter, BBQ/smoker and ice chest. The patio area includes a native rock fire pit for s'more making and storytelling as well as a sky chair pavilion. A few extras include a kitchen herb garden and sound system with speakers directed toward each of the areas as well as into the garage.

The unattached, 530-square feet two-car garage is ringed by metal shelves and is oversized to allow room for a workbench area and deep-freezer/pantry area. The garage is also a disco with huge mirrored, spinning disco ball with spotlights. Just pull out the cars, invite some friends and you've got your own dance floor.


Restored to reflect its 1922 Arts & Crafts heritage, while incorporating modern, small-house smart design that makes living more convenient and storage more abundant. By intentionally maximizing for aesthetic function, every square foot of both the house and gardens is small but mighty.