The Wolfe family, former owners of The Columbus Dispatch, are selling "Journal Island" on Buckeye Lake, the first time the property has come on the market in more than a century.
One of the largest inhabited islands on the lake, at more than 6 acres, the site for decades hosted power brokers and regular lake gatherings on its immaculately groomed grounds.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for someone, for a family to create a legacy, to create memories," said Brian Kemp, the Keller Williams Capital Partners agent listing the property for $5.75 million . "Every time you leave there, you just pinch yourself."
Kemp said he believes the listing is the highest-priced residential listing in the lake's history. He said the island has been owned since the early 1900s by the Wolfe family, who built a complex of buildings on the island over the decades.
The island includes a main house, a guest house, a pavilion entertainment building, a theater building that can also accommodate guests, two boat houses and several storage sheds.
The property also includes 5 acres on the south shore of the mainland with a parking lot, boat launch, dock and two-car garage.
More: Dave Thomas' former Buckeye Lake retreat
"It's easy and convenient to entertain for a family or for many, the way the parking is situated and the ease of faring people back and forth from the mainland to the island," Kemp said.
The island offers a landscaped retreat, with walking trails through the trees or along the shore, a bridge-covered stream, a stone pavilion next to a waterfall, and multiple seating areas offering 360-degree lake views.
"The way it's laid out and maintained, it's luxury but also it's the ultimate in privacy — just to be on an island, you don't feel like you're in a fish bowl," Kemp said. "With the walking trails, gardens and waterfalls, it's stunning."
The one-and-a-half-story main house, about 5,500-square feet, includes six bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. The home includes a sunroom, an eat-in kitchen with an island, a dining room, living room, walk-in pantry and first-floor laundry. The home has two primary suites, one on the first floor and one on the second.
The older guest house, about 925 square feet, includes two bedrooms, one bathroom, a sitting room and a kitchenette.
Next to the pool is the "pavilion" building which includes a bar and entertaining room, full bathroom and changing rooms for the pool.
The "Journal Island Theater" features a large-screen tv, kitchenette, full bathroom and a sitting area with a fold-out sofa that could also double as a guest house, Kemp said.
"There are also several storage buildings for equipment, lawn gear, golf carts, everything you'd need," he said.
Kemp said the property could be sold as a turnkey home with furnishings if buyers are interested.
Journal Island is among 21 islands on the lake, 18 of which include homes, according to the Buckeye Lake Historical Society . The Wolfes are among several prominent Columbus residents, including Wendy's founder Dave Thomas , who at one time have owned homes on Buckeye Lake islands.
jweiker@dispatch.com
@JimWeiker
Subscribe to our Breaking Ground newsletter!
Jim Weiker breaks down the latest on real estate and development.
Sign up for The Breaking Ground newsletter This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Island for sale. Wolfe family retreat on Ohio's Buckeye Lake hits market for $5.75 million
Local News
