THE MONTANA STANDARD Sunday, March 3, 2019 | E1

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REAL

ESTATESUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019 | mtstandard.com | SECTION E

DAVID MCCUMBER

david.mccumber@mtstandard.

com

High above beauti-ful Georgetown Lake sits somebody’s dream house.

Built in 1963 and thoughtfully and expertly restored two years ago, this house at 15 Hilltop Lane is decidedly unfancy and to-

tally spectacular at the same time.

Summer place, weekend getaway, or year-round al-pine redoubt — your choice. But one thing’s for certain: You’ll never tire of the in-credible view.

The remodel played smartly to that view, which is the house’s greatest asset

and one of the best available of the lake and mountains. Listing agent Donna Vol-berding of Anaconda Realty said that when the current owners planned the re-do, they tore down walls and opened up the lake-facing half of the house to cre-ate great living space — a wide-open, vaulted-ceil-

ing living/dining room and kitchen with exposed joists and beams, clear-coated to give the place a chalet feel. It’s an interesting mix of Scandinavian modern and Montana cabin styles.

Downstairs is a daylight “basement” with another

FOR SALE IN SOUTHWEST MONTANA

Between lake and cloudsRethought, restored jewel box sits high over Georgetown Lake

COURTESY DONNA VOLBERDING, ANACONDA REALTY PHOTOS

Fantastic views of Georgetown Lake and beyond are 15 hilltop Lane’s best assets.

The sturdy 1960s design has been enhanced with a thorough remodel, including new roof and siding.

The kitchen, open to the dining/living area, shares the same great view.

Light and space: The vaulted ceilings and open beams in the living/dining room convey a feeling of expansiveness.

The upstairs bath also holds a washer/dryer.Both levels have a great feel for the outdoor surroundings.

Two bedrooms upstairs, one down: This is the 2nd upstairs bedroom.

Facts and FiguresAddress: 15 hilltop Lane, anaconda (Georgetown Lake)

Built: 1963

Style: Two-level

Square feet: 2,300

Lot size: 1 acre plus

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

List price: $350,000Please see JEWEL, Page E2

donna Volberding: “…a new house inside a 1960s frame.”

505 E. Park Ave.

Anaconda MT 59711

(406) 563-3223

Fax: (406) 563-3232

www.AnacondaRealty.com

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comfortable living space — with its own lake view and deck. A full bath on each floor and three bed-rooms make it great for a family or for entertaining weekend guests.

The thoroughgoing remodel makes the house feel contempo-rary and updated, but with those desirable mid-century “bones” — a solid construction job. “You basically have a new house inside a 1960s frame,” Volberding says.

Old-fashioned deck railings were replaced with glass panels that don’t get in the way of the

view. On the main floor, solid oak hardwood flooring was retained and refurbished.

The bathrooms have been nicely redone with quality tile and fix-tures. The main-floor bath dou-bles as a utility room with washer and dryer.

Similarly, the kitchen update is clean, functional and attractive without being fancy. White wood cabinets and white appliances increase the feeling of light and space.

Bedroom size is the only con-cession to the house’s compact floor plan — it’s just 2,300 square feet split between two floors — but that’s pretty typical for a lakeside

cottage, and it’s a good tradeoff when you see the amount of qual-ity living space that’s been gained.

“The house had orange shag carpeting going from the floor right up the walls, and a bright green bar downstairs,” Volberd-ing says with a laugh. “You’d never know that to look at it now.”

A new septic system was put in when the house was remodeled, and while the house currently relies on baseboard heat and fire-places on each floor for heat, “it would be easy” to add propane, Volberding said.

The roof and siding are also new. The lot is dotted with ma-ture conifers.

Volberding, who lives year-round on the lake herself, says the number of people who do so has probably quadrupled in the last couple of decades. People have realized that they can commute to Anaconda and, for more shopping selection, “are equidistant from Helena, Missoula and Bozeman,” she said.

The lake is an increasingly popular choice for the recre-ation-minded, what with the proximity to Discovery Basin, plenty of cross-country trails, and a wealth of fishing opportunities. The house is quite close to Den-ton’s Point Marina, where boat moorage can be negotiated — but

still has the advantage of being high above the main road.

Volberding said that at close to 7,000 feet, the area has an abun-dance of wildlife — “the moose are like pets,” she says. “One of the cows had three babies this year. We first saw them when they were chocolate brown, probably a week old.”

She added that the lakeside community is mutually support-ive and close-knit. “We have great neighbors,” she said.

For somebody who wants a lakeside lifestyle and a livable house free of pretension, 15 Hilltop Lane is indeed a dream house.

JewelFrom E1

COURTESY DONNA VOLBERDING, ANACONDA REALTY PHOTOS

Exposed beams give a sophisticated, stylish look.

The new bedrooms are tastefully appointed.

Beams have been exposed and varnished, giving the house a Scandinavian feel.

The fireplaces on each floor effectively radiate heat into the living spaces.

The downstairs family room offers another casual living area.

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