Produced by Northern Home & Cottage and the AIA Northern Michigan Chapter, the 2011 Distinctive Architecture Tour moves from the urban chic of two downtown Traverse City lofts to a new-Mission style home at the tip of Old Mission Peninsula, then on to two Cinderella-style renovations of Traverse City neighborhood homes. Also presenting: an Old Mission home designed by renowned Northern Michigan architect Glenn Arai (1925-1998). Bring your friends and discover how an architect can bring your dreams to life and make them work for you and your family. Enjoy a lovely day touring seven stunning homes set in Northern Michigan’s magnificent late-summer landscape—all the while knowing that you’re helping Habitat for Humanity.

Northern Home & Cottage is your take-it-with-you guide to the 2011 Distinctive Architecture Home Tour. You may have it sent to you inside the August issue of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine or pick up a complimentary copy on the tour.

Tickets are now $15 at the door; see below for homes where you can buy tickets the day of the event. Or find tickets at an of these fine locations while supplies last:

Black Star Farms Tasting Room 10844 East Revold Road, Suttons Bay 231.944.1270

Brown Lumber 1701 South Airport Road, Traverse City 231.947.1400

Floor Covering Brokers 1794 Barlow Street, Traverse City 231.941.4700

Honor Building Supply 10635 Main Street, Honor 800.444.6396 Muriel's 238 East Front Street, Traverse City 231.933.9745

Northern Lumber 1480 South West-Bay Shore Drive, Suttons Bay 231.271.3804

The Concrete Service 3743 West Front Street, Traverse City 231.946.7880

Locations of homes:

#1 Binkert Architect: Michael Fitzhugh AIA DRIVE: 237 East Front Street, Suite 301, Traverse City, MI 49684 Located on Front Street in downtown TC, just East of the State Theatre, above Red Ginger restaurant on the third floor. Enter the left doorway adjacent to the Red Ginger entry, enterlobby and take elevator to third floor. (Please don’t take the stairs, they are locked at the top)

#2 Darga Architect: Michael Fitzhugh AIA 101 North Park, Suite 504, Traverse City, MI 49684 DRIVE: Located on Front street in downtown TC, just East of Horizon Book, use the lobby entrance on Front Street between Horizon Book and GT Pie Company. This is a secured building, there is a call box that rings to unit 504, this will activate the lobby door and unlock the elevator to the 5th floor.

#3 Elzer Architect: Sarah Bourgeois AIA 526 Ahgosa Trail, Traverse City, MI 49686 DRIVE: From US-31 (Grandview Parkway) and Union Street…travel south on Union Street to 8th street turn left (east) travel (2.1 miles) passing Cass Street, Garfield Ave and Munson Ave. (US-31) turn right (east) to Ahgosa Trail.  

#4 Viskochil Architect: Ken Richmond AIA 605 Webster St., Traverse City, MI 49686 DRIVE: From US 31 (E. Grandview Parkway & Union Street). Go South on Union Street (past Front Street) to turn East (left) onto E State Street. Go 0.6 miles to Franklin Street. Go south (right) on Franklin Street. Go 2 city blocks to Webster St. The Viskochil House is on Northeast corner of Franklin St. and Webster St.

#5 Baker/Epskamp Architect: Ray Kendra AIA 8768 N. Bayshore Drive, Elk Rapids, MI 49629 DRIVE: Take US 31 North from Traverse City to Elk Rapids. Take a left at the stop light in Elk Rapids and a quick Right onto Bayshore Drive. The house is first house on the left - lakeside past public beach.

#6 Van Steenhouse Architect: Glenn Arai AIA 7446 East Shore Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 DRIVE: M-37/Center Road north to McKinley. Go east until it ends at East Shore Road, turn left, then it's immediately on right.  

#7 Shaffer Architect: Mark Humitz AIA 14335 Beautiful Shores Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 DRIVE: Grandview Parkway east to Garfield, TURN LEFT (changes into Peninsula Drive), stay on Peninsula Dr. (LEFT at Peninsula Dr. / Center Rd. fork) +/- (10) miles to Ne-Ah-Ta-Wanta Road just north of Bowers Harbor TURN LEFT, approx. (1) mile to Shipman Road TURN RIGHT, approx. (1/2) mile to Beautiful Shores Road TURN LEFT, second house on right is 14335 Beautiful Shores Rd. The Distinctive Architecture Home Tour Benefits Habitat for Humanity Click the Northern Home & Cottage icon below to read the preview guide as a full-size digital magazine.

After Noon, September 8th, You May Buy Tickets At These Home Locations for $15

Tour 7 homes professionally designed by members of the American Institute of Architecture Northern Michigan Chapter. Highlights include:

Note: tickets purchased before September 2nd will be mailed. After September 2nd ticket orders will be fulfilled via email. Online tickets may be purchased through noon Thursday, September 8th. After that, tickets must be purchased at a retailer offering advance ticket sales or on Saturday, September 10th at tour locations (the homes) for $15 each. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Habitat for Humanity. For security and privacy reasons photography of homes is not allowed. However, photos are available in Northern Home & Cottage magazines available at each tour location. Produced by: Northern Home & Cottage and American Institute of Architecture Northern Michigan Chapter

Go Shopping Up North No Matter Where You Are? Check the MyNorth Northern Michigan Shopping Guide.

For security and privacy reasons photography of homes is not allowed. However, photos are available in Northern Home & Cottage magazines available at each tour location.