Ellen Ruby Blog's: Right on the River, Nebraska ‘Castle’ Offers Unparalleled Views

Thursday, 23 July 2020

Right on the River, Nebraska ‘Castle’ Offers Unparalleled Views

An unexpected house in an unexpected place has landed on the market for $2.8 million in Herman, NE.

The 4,700-square-foot home on Chippewa Cree Lane sits on a spit of land where a drainage chute meets the Missouri River.

“You get off the highway, then you drive for a couple of miles on a dirt road. You take a couple of turns. You don’t see any house or any farm equipment—you don’t see anything—and then you just come up to this private gate,” says the listing agent, Michael Maley.

As you’re going down the winding driveway, he says, “It’s probably the most unexpected thing you would expect to see at the end of such a drive. I call it the castle.”

The interiors of the three-bedroom riverfront structure have a distinct industrial style. The offering also includes 42 acres of farmland adjacent to the riverfront.

“It’s a three-story house, not including the basement,” Maley explains. The main floor features a family room, kitchen, dining room, and a bathroom.

Upstairs is the primary bedroom suite and office. Another floor up are two more bedrooms and a sitting area.

Exterior of property in Herman, NE
Bob Brindamour

Primary bedroom
Snap Photography/Jenny Gross

Built in 2002 by a telecommunications company executive, the home was constructed with a focus on sustainable materials and features exposed ductwork, stone, fireplaces, and wooden ceilings.

“I love the exposed beams. I love the natural wood,” Maley says. The use of natural wood, he adds “makes it more homey and warm,” contrasting well with the industrial feel.

The house has stunning views, especially from a crow’s nest four stories above ground, which is accessible by elevator.

“You can get up there, and you can see 360 degrees all the way into Omaha,” Maley explains. “You can see all the way down the river in both directions. It’s such a special view.”

Crow’s nest
Snap Photography/Jenny Gross

View from crow’s nest
Snap Photography/Jenny Gross

A large deck on the river’s edge is ideal for entertaining.

“It’s so peaceful when you see the river just floating on by,” Maley says.

Although the home is on a narrow point next to a fast-flowing river, flooding is not a concern.

“We had the biggest flooding we’ve ever seen in Nebraska last year, and it did not flood,” Maley says, adding that although the road leading up to the property was underwater, none of the structures on the point flooded.

In addition to the main house, the property comes with three other buildings, including a ranch house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The basement is where you’ll find the brains of the house.

“It’s the most over-engineered house on the planet,” Maley says. There’s a geothermal system, water treatment, HVAC, generators, and much more.

“It’s an engineer’s dream down there,” he says. “Just seeing all the pipes going around, and seeing all the wiring go around, is kind of neat.”

While typically in a basement, things tend to be messy, he says it’s nice here “to see everything so organized and put together.”

The home is in the far east of the Cornhusker State, right across the river from Iowa. Although the residence is secluded, it isn’t far from Herman, a town of a few hundred people. It’s also less than a half-hour from the larger city of Blair, and about an hour from Omaha.

“It really just does feel incredibly different than any house I have ever been in. You kind of feel like you’re on a houseboat when you’re in here,” Maley says. “It’s incredibly scenic. Your blood pressure goes down when you go out there.”