This majestic 4,166-square-foot Queen Anne Victorian estate, constructed in 1890, is a premier architectural landmark located at 1520 College Ave in the historic lakefront core of Racine, Wisconsin. Standing prominently along Racine’s iconic, brick-lined College Avenue corridor, this three-story masterpiece features five bedrooms and five bathrooms.
Priced at $799,900, this meticulously maintained estate represents an elite tier of historical real estate, seamlessly blending grand Gilded Age craftsmanship with updated modern infrastructure and a proven record as a high-yield luxury hospitality asset.
The home presents a textbook display of late-19th-century residential ambition, showcasing a complex architectural silhouette, cross-gabled rooflines, projecting window bays, and an inviting front entry sequence that anchors its commanding curb appeal. Inside, the massive 4,166-square-foot interior unfolds with dramatic vertical volume, characterized by soaring ceiling clearances and rich, intricately carved native wood millwork, baseboards, and majestic pocket doors. Large architectural windows flood the grand formal parlors and formal reception halls with an abundance of natural light.
🏛️ Main Manor Layout & Hospitality Versatility
The sprawling multi-level floor plan is engineered with grand proportions, offering an exceptional room-to-bathroom ratio that makes the estate highly versatile. The home is perfectly configured to operate as a premier private residence, an upscale executive retreat, or a thriving turnkey investment property.
The Ground Floor Parlors: The entry hall flows into expansive formal living and dining salons designed for large-scale hosting and entertaining. The main level also anchors a spacious, fully equipped kitchen featuring modern appliances, solid preparation surfaces, and immediate access to the rear grounds.
The Upper Residential Tiers: The upper floors host five oversized bedroom chambers, many accented by unique vintage charm, independent sitting niches, and beautifully integrated en-suite plumbing lines.
Turnkey Revenue Potential: The property currently operates as a highly successful luxury Airbnb destination. The distribution of five full bathrooms ensures maximum comfort and acoustic privacy for multiple independent guest parties, commanding premium nightly rates in a stable southeastern Wisconsin leisure market.
The manor occupies a level, manicured 9,583-square-foot urban parcel that minimizes long-term exterior maintenance while providing a private backyard canvas for outdoor gatherings, structured landscaping, or off-street vehicle handling. Mechanically, the home has stood the test of time, benefiting from regular capital updates to ensure all core utilities, heating grids, and electrical panels safely meet contemporary residential and commercial safety standards.
📋 Property Specifications
💰 Price: $799,900
📍 Address: 1520 College Ave, Racine, WI 53403
📐 Interior Size: 4,166 sqft (Distributed across 3 finished stories)
🌳 Lot Size: 9,583 sqft (0.22 Acres / Pristine town parcel)
🛏️ Bedrooms: 5 (Oversized, character-rich chambers)
🛁 Bathrooms: 5 Full Baths (Exceptional layout layout for hospitality placement)
🏗️ Year Built: 1890 (High-Style Queen Anne Era)
🧱 Construction Fabric: Solid heavy-timber structural frame / Stone foundation walls
🗺️ Current Application: Turnkey luxury Airbnb / Short-term rental asset
🛣️ Setting: Historic, brick-lined College Avenue avenue district
🔍 Key Features & Location Advantages Explained
🏛️ Pristine 1890 Queen Anne Craftsmanship: Spanning over 4,100 square feet, the structural framing represents an irreplaceable artifact of industrial-era wealth. The hand-crafted woodwork, towering entryways, and vintage aesthetic flourishes provide high historic equity that cannot be replicated today.
📈 Rare 5-Bed, 5-Bath Infrastructure Asset: Finding a late-19th-century home where practically every bedroom is supported by its own dedicated bathroom is an extraordinary real estate rarity. This unique plumbing matrix saves an incoming investor tens of thousands of dollars in retrofitting costs.
💵 Turnkey Short-Term Rental Income: Because the estate is currently operating as a high-performing Airbnb, buyers can instantly assume control of an active revenue stream, benefiting from established guest profiles, localized booking momentum, and premium corporate/leisure positioning.
🌊 Iconic Lake Michigan & Brick-Street Setting: Living on College Avenue surrounds residents with historic ambiance. The property sits on a picturesque brick-paved thoroughfare just blocks from the scenic walking trails, beaches, and boating marinas of Lake Michigan.
🚶 Walkable Downtown Culture: Positioned in the historic heart of town, residents and hospitality guests enjoy exceptional pedestrian connectivity, keeping the property within minutes of downtown Racine’s vibrant artisan boutiques, fine dining corridors, theaters, and summer festivals.
🛫 Strategic Milwaukee & Chicago Commuter Pivot: Located in southeastern Wisconsin, the estate offers an elite balance of coastal town charm and urban access. Commuters enjoy straightforward driving lines via I-94, keeping the property within 30 miles of downtown Milwaukee and an easy trip into the northern suburbs of Chicago.
Zillow link https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1520-College-Ave-Racine-WI-53403/145426697_zpid/
Originating MLS: Metro MLS