The Water’s Edge resort property, which has been in the Hollister family since 1971, is up for sale. The property, which includes over 200 feet of waterfront space, is located at 6195 Murray Road in Whitehall.
The Hollisters purchased the property from the Murray family in ‘71; it was previously part of Murray’s Inn for close to 50 years prior to the Hollisters taking over. One Murray, Mary McGee, still lives just south of the Water’s Edge resort.
Frank Hollister and his brother Ed have long owned the resort, with Frank serving as manager; their dad Edward passed away in 2009, and mom Ruth predeceased him. However, with Frank now well past retirement from his real estate career - he owned and operated Arrowhead Real Estate - the brothers have decided to pass the business on.
“It is a little bittersweet,” Frank said. “It’s been mostly good. We’d like to continue to use it, but time passes and we get older, and it’s time for the next generation to move in and take over.
“We didn’t have anyone in the family who was ready and willing to step into my shoes, so we decided to list it for sale so someone could take on the work, and the fun, of running that place.”
The Water’s Edge has 12 units - eight suites, three two-bedroom apartments and a small two-bedroom cottage. The latter unit, Hollister said, has an interesting story, as it was once the second story of a two-story building located some 600 feet to the south.
“Previous to us buying the place, the Murrays must have taken the top story and moved it to its current foundation,” Hollister said. “I’m curious as to how they physically did that. Even in today’s climate, when we have machinery that can move all sorts of things, it’s difficult.”
The resort hosts, Hollister said, “300 to 450 people” each summer. Repeat customers have been a cornerstone of the Water’s Edge business, and the Hollisters enjoy a positive relationship with them. Frank even noted that he recently received an email from one such customer, who lives near Detroit, checking on the family after the June storms in the White Lake area.
“It’s quite nice that we’ve developed those friendships over the years,” Frank said.
The Water’s Edge location, Frank said, has certainly played a large part in the resort’s success over the years. True to its name, the property is right on the water, and customers have gravitated to the White Lake area, a quieter spot than West Michigan destinations like Holland or Grand Haven. Frank did take some pride in providing a quality space and friendly management, which has also brought customers back.
The Hollisters have no timetable to make a sale, though they’d obviously prefer a buyer to surface as soon as is reasonable. The family is working with Greenridge’s Kim Nelson on the sale; the property is listed with an asking price of $3,999,000.
