Castle with drawbridge, moat, hidden rooms and dungeon for sale in Michigan at $2.5 million

OAKLAND — A medieval-style, castle-like home that sits on a hill surrounded by woods across more than six acres is one of the most unique houses in southeast Michigan — and it's for sale. 

The secluded, private palace in Oakland County fit for a king and queen is listed at $2.5 million. It's located in a private, gated subdivision of luxury homes.

There’s a surprise in just about every room: hidden closets, escape rooms, a hidden spiral staircase that leads to the roof, hidden passageways between walls, a trap door to a dungeon, a hidden underground grotto with jacuzzi and a hallway of mirrors.

“It’s a fortress in many ways,” said listing agent Mike Kuligowski of Signature Sotherby’s International Realty.

Entering the castle

A winding path through the woods leads to the castle built in a 15th century Scottish Baronial/Northern English tradition. 

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With gothic-style, medieval architectural motifs inside and out, the home known as LeBlanc Castle is separately gated with two 27-foot-tall entrance towers at the base of the property. The 60-foot-tall structure, taller than most four-story buildings, is enclosed by wrought-iron fencing. 

To get to the the 4-inch thick, oak front door that weighs 762 pounds, visitors must cross a drawbridge.. A full armored guard statue complete with a sword greets guests in the foyer. 

What does it look like inside?

The home has five bedrooms, five full and two partial bathrooms, an elevator, a rock and brick wine cellar with a tasting booth, Tudor-style pub, fitness center, billiards room, home theater, six balconies outside and two more inside. The four-car attached garage has a Charles Dickens-era streets of London theme.

Ornate crown and base moldings, hand-painted artwork on ceilings and kitchen tiles, stone walls, custom woodwork, silk wallpaper and hand-carved cherubs are just a few of the intricate details throughout this 26-room castle that has a total finished living space estimated at 10,781 square feet.

Another 1,200 square feet castle-like structure for storage and workshop space sits next to the home.

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Why and how was the castle built?

Built in 1990, construction of the home was the culmination of a 20-year dream of the late James LeBlanc, who made a promise to his wife Vera on Christmas in 1969 that he would build her a castle, Kuligowski said.

“Money was no object, it was designed to entertain, to have people over," he said.

LeBlanc, who died in May at 72, was an engineer who led companies that earned federal defense contracts.

The frame was built with 60 tons of steel and construction stretched more than six years, relying on artisans from all over the world and costing more than $10 million, according to Sotheby's.

Contact Brendel Hightowerat bhightower@freepress.com.