The Steel Wheels
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A deep commitment to "Natural Surroundings" development principles and methods.
The developers memorialized their Development Vision in the deed restrictions:
L’Arbre Croche Development Corporation is the owner of an unspoiled wooded wilderness lying between Little Traverse Bay and M-119 in Emmet County, Michigan, known as L’Arbre Croche, which it wishes to develop into a fine community of a distinctive character suitable for family living. At the same time, it wishes to maintain, insofar as possible, the natural character of this scenic land and to require that all man made structures blend into the natural background rather than stand out against it.
“Insofar as possible” has always challenged L’Arbre Croche Club members to find creative solutions and to embrace thoughtful compromises in order to minimize the impact of man-made improvements on everyone's shared experience of this extraordinary natural setting.
Nature inspires art. L’Arbre Croche attracts artists and fosters an environment that opens the senses to art. The development itself is an art project with artistic principles of modernism, conforming to the natural environment, maximizing views and creating privacy for families. It is a place for music. From its earliest gatherings with the legendary Keelhaulers and northern Michigan's iconic Jelly Roll Blues Band the community embraces song and dance. The L'Arbre Croche beach has become a favorite concert venue for these incredible musicians:
"It was sometime after I had joined Bob's (Aikens) company that he started talking to me about land that he had recently acquired near Harbor Springs, and I still feel a sense of excitement when I recall the first time I laid my eyes on the property that was to become L'Arbre Croche.
It was February, 1969 when I drove north with Ann & Bob Aikens and met Bob Swanson to inspect the property. We parked our cars on the shoulder of M131 (now M119) and searched for traces of the old logging trail, which was the only path through a very dense and hilly forest that would lead us to the beach. Tracking through three feet of snow up and down hills, I was enthralled with the beauty of this magnificent forest. Bob Swanson explained how the road system would flow through the varying terrain. I wish I could relate the awe I felt that day when I first climbed to the top of the dune and viewed the bay. It was as beautiful a sight as I have ever seen and to this day it is a thrill for me every time I look onto Little Traverse Bay....The deed restrictions set the tone for the development - to preserve the natural beauty of the site to the greatest extent possible and to have the structures relate to the natural environment.
It was our objective to have the property as beautiful to walk through when the development was completed as it was that February day in 1969 when I first walked the old logging trail."
Just minutes away, within a scenic six mile radius, you'll find the finest in golf, skiing and fishing, marinas, as well as many outstanding restaurants and shops of both Harbor Springs and Petoskey.
