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One of Van Bergen's most elaborate designs, this house is on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. It seems that Mr. Bersbach, a banker, had enough money to provide his architect with a large budget and an ideal setting for which to create this outstanding design.
Though elaborate in materials, there is efficiency and restraint in the overall design. There are stained glass windows throughout, mahogany paneling, trim and casings, quarter sawn oak floors, stained glass lighting fixtures, ample built-in storage, built-in casement window hardware and roll down screens, and the most modern electrical and plumbing for its time. There are three fireplaces - Living Room, Master Bedroom, and large Playroom downstairs.
The Bersbach House shows that this modest architect (who usually had more modest clients), could create on a larger scale and still use restraint and good taste. Though recently threatened with demolition (as a result of the tear-down craze that is sweeping through and destroying our most beautiful suburbs), the reason this building still stands is that it was so well built, it was cheaper to demolish the house next door. It has been - at least temporarily - saved by its present owners, who are beautifully maintaining and restoring the house.
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