the actor

Few single family residences in the midwest (absent of Chicago) are high enough off the ground to require an elevator. None that I knew, had required an actor.

The lift was hand fitted in grand style. Historic tiles in a mosaic pattern covered the floor,the walls faux painted , and antique brass fittings conveyed passengers to the 5th floor ...Heavens, it was glorious....

It's only path was to the penthouse.The top floor transcended any arrival . A secret room opened by moving a book, a screening room, a conservatory,and promontory view over the town, all awaited the passenger.

As a thought of creative marketing, a butler/actor was pressed into service.

The butler was instructed to greet visitors emerging from the lift dressed in tuxedo shirt and asked to show those present to the drawing room. He was asked to affect an English accent.His performance included retiring to the wine storage room and emerging with glasses of champagne on a silver tray.

For these performances, his reward was to stay at the penthouse until it was sold. He loved the role.

His only other duty was to receive party invitations and send them off the absent owners to be responded. Now, if you were to aspire to the role of King of German Village.... this , Realtor thought, would be the lifestyle to emulate.

None has topped it since. Those Kings who founded Polaris live now in Palm Beach, Nantucket, and Aspen

The deal closed at 1 million and change.

 

original story by Sarah Simpson