Boston Business Journal-Mini Manses July 2007
Mini-manses: Luxury housing trickles down to tots
With the housing market well stocked with high-end, multimillion-dollar homes, children of the wealthy can't be expected to entertain friends in a homemade treehouse or makeshift tent.
Kids today need their own space and many companies around the country are answering the call by offering luxury mini-mansions, many of which are better than a first apartment.
"I recently took an order for a $75,000 playhouse that had a garage, media room and bathroom. Everything is custom designed so the sky is the limit," said Michelle Pollak of LaPetite Maison in Denver.
The incredibly luxurious playhouses that average in size from 50 square feet to 200 square feet (and larger) are becoming a must-have in affluent circles everywhere; and just like building a real house, choices need to me made. Italian marble in the kitchen? Hardwood floors? Decisions from crown moldings to recessed lighting are important. A child's first house must be something special. Refrigerators, heating and cooling, and even a grand staircase make these homes complete.
The houses are built to a child's scale. Kitchen counters, windows and furniture are all designed to suit tiny residents.
But it doesn't stop there. What new mini-manse would be habitable without an extravagant interior design? Everything from window treatments and oil paintings to custom designed living and dining room sets reflect a high-end lifestyle.
Nicole Pugh, of Bundles of Blossoms, a luxury baby boutique in Illinois, said on many occasions she's had customers cover their custom built homes with a huge tarp and bow to surprise their little ones. "These are people who have the time and money to make little dreams come true. Things like a French country interior and meticulous landscaping are par for the course," Pugh said.
Playhouse distributors say that in many cases parents want the playhouse to be an exact replica of the main house -- with all the bells and whistles. Geographic location tends to dictate style. Pollak said she's sold several homes in Massachusetts, including Cape Cod (a Cape) and Concord (modified Victorian).
Some first-time buyers are spending what their grandparents did on their first house. At Lilliput Playhomes Inc. in Pennsylvania, house hunters can buy a simple, but well-built all wood playhouse for as low as $5,000. "I've seen the houses go as high as $50,000, but even the less expensive ones are worth it to parents or grandparents who'd like to see kids doing something other than sitting at the computer. Houses encourage creativity and imagination," said Patty Toner, company representative.
The Lilliput houses in Massachusetts are sold by Walpole Woodwork in Walpole.