Wisconsin’s real estate market blends the rustic beauty of the Northwoods with the sophistication of lakefront living on places like Lake Geneva and Lake Mendota. Grand estates and modern architectural marvels dot its inland lakeshores, offering privacy, luxury, and breathtaking views year-round.
Here are some of the most expensive houses currently for sale in the Badger State.
5. River Hills, WI – $3,995,000
Crafted by Empire State Building architect Paul Starrett, this $3,995,000 River Hills estate offers 8,630 square feet of living space with 5 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms. Built in 1930 and set on 6.8 meticulously maintained acres, it includes a 7-car heated garage, a 2-bedroom guest house, a pool, spa, tennis court, and bluestone patio with firepit.
Inside, the home blends historic charm with modern updates, featuring a grand foyer, sunroom, library, and a primary suite with separate dressing areas and dual bathrooms.
Where is River Hills?
River Hills, Wisconsin, is a residential village in Milwaukee County known for its large lots and wooded landscapes. It is strictly zoned for single-family homes, with no commercial development. The village maintains a rural character despite being part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. It is also home to the Milwaukee Country Club and several private estates.
Kitchen
Tucked along the outer wall, the kitchen features pale wood cabinets and a wide marble island with built-in seating. Three pendant-style lights hang above the island, and a double oven is mounted beside a stainless steel cooktop with a decorative tile backsplash. A large window over the sink brings in light and frames a view of the trees outside.
Dining Room
Wrapped in bay windows, the formal dining room includes a long wood table with ten chairs and a large crystal chandelier overhead. A fireplace with mirrored paneling and black marble accents sits along one wall, framed by yellow-painted walls and crown molding. Floor-length curtains with a Greek key pattern cover the windows, contrasting with the detailed rug underfoot.
Bedroom
Set against floral carpet and layered window treatments, the bedroom includes a wood-framed bed, a pair of nightstands, and a lounging nook by the corner windows. A tall storage cabinet sits along one wall beside twin sconces, and a floral-upholstered armchair rests near the natural light. Walls and furnishings follow a soft, traditional palette with warm tones throughout.
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Bathroom
Clad in polished beige stone, the bathroom includes a soaking tub framed by mirrors and a glass-enclosed shower at the far end. Recessed lighting and mosaic tile walls surround the space, while a pair of shelves hold toiletries above the towel rack. The space opens toward a dressing area with visible access to an adjoining room.
Aerial View
Encircling a spacious estate, the grounds feature a tennis court, rectangular pool, and a guesthouse along a curving driveway. The main residence connects to a garage via a breezeway, and landscaped gardens with pathways run through the green lawn. Multiple seating areas surround the pool and patio, creating zones for gathering and relaxing.
Source: Quinlevan & Armitage Team @ Shorewest Realtors, Inc. via Coldwell Banker Realty
4. Lake Geneva, WI – $4,250,000
This $4,250,000 estate near Geneva Lake spans 7,285 square feet and includes 4 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms on a private 10-acre lot. The home features a vaulted great room, main-level master suite with a private deck, and a walkout lower level with a family room, wine room, guest suite, and three-season room.
Recent renovations by Studio St. Marie enhance the kitchen, master bath, and bar area, while the outdoor space includes an inground pool and proximity to Lake Geneva Yacht Club and Abbey Marina.
Where is Lake Geneva?
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, is a resort city on the shores of Geneva Lake in Walworth County. It developed as a retreat for wealthy Chicagoans after the Great Chicago Fire. The city features a historic downtown, lakefront mansions, and a public shore path that circles the lake. Tourism drives the local economy, with boating, festivals, and winter recreation drawing year-round visitors.
Living Room
Centered around a tall stone fireplace, the living room features an L-shaped sectional, two leather chairs, and overhead antler chandeliers suspended from vaulted ceilings. Dark wood beams, high windows, and mounted wildlife decor add to the lodge-style interior. A rustic wood console separates this seating area from the rest of the open-concept space.
Dining Room
Positioned next to tall windows and glass doors, the dining room holds a long wooden table surrounded by a mix of dark and light cushioned chairs. A dual-sided stone fireplace separates the room from the adjacent lounge, providing warmth and visual texture. Overhead, a cluster of metallic pendant lights mirrors the clean lines and natural tones found throughout the space.
Bedroom
With its large arched windows and forest-facing glass doors, the bedroom connects to the outdoors while maintaining privacy. A wooden bed frame, matching nightstands, and layered bedding anchor the space, which also includes a corner fireplace. Neutral tones and warm flooring extend across the suite.
Bathroom
Dark stone and wood cabinetry enclose the bathroom, where two backlit mirrors are framed by tall storage towers. Inside the glass shower enclosure, a freestanding stone tub sits on a raised platform, paired with a wooden stool. Clean tile lines and dual vanities with wall-mounted faucets round out the space.
Exterior – Poolside View
Surrounded by forest, the rear of the house frames a wide stone patio with a central pool, lounge chairs, and seating under umbrellas. A multi-level wooden deck spans the back, supported by timber columns and wrapped in iron railings, with access points from different parts of the house. Large windows and tall rooflines define the rustic architecture of this wooded retreat.
Source: Janis Hartley @ Compass Wisconsin-Lake Geneva via Coldwell Banker Realty
3. Waunakee, WI – $4,500,000
Listed at $4,500,000, this Lake Mendota property offers 5,922 square feet of living space with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, set on a lot with 220 feet of lake frontage. The home includes two primary suites with luxury baths, a movie room with wet bar, game room with secret entrance, and an exercise studio, plus private bedroom decks.
An adjacent 50-foot lot includes a large barn, and the property falls within the Waunakee School District with Westport taxes.
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Where is Waunakee?
Waunakee, Wisconsin, is a village in Dane County just north of Madison. It promotes itself as “The Only Waunakee in the World.” The community blends suburban neighborhoods with surrounding farmland and light industry. It has seen steady growth due to its proximity to the state capital and strong school system.
Living Room
Vaulted ceilings frame the living room where a floating staircase and modern linear fireplace define the space. Large windows overlook the lake, pulling in natural light and landscape views. Seating is centered around a light wood coffee table and a mounted TV.
Kitchen
Black lower cabinets and a large dual-surface island shape the kitchen layout. Countertops alternate between butcher block and concrete finishes, and open shelving runs along the side wall. Appliances include a large stainless refrigerator and a commercial-style range with a hood.
Outdoor Dining
Set off the main structure, the screened porch features a built-in grill station and a long dining table. Metal-framed chairs surround the concrete table, and roll-up screens provide coverage. Ceiling and trim are clad in wood panels with modern lighting above.
Bedroom
Floor-to-ceiling windows line the bedroom, providing uninterrupted views of the water. A soft-upholstered bed sits between two wood nightstands and beneath a series of recessed lights. A glass door opens directly to a private balcony.
Bathroom
Floating wood cabinetry anchors the bathroom vanity under a wide mirror and hanging lights. Across from the double sinks, a soaking tub and glass-walled shower sit beside large windows. The layout is open with tiled floors running into a light-filled bathing space.
Source: Shelly Sprinkman @ Sprinkman Real Estate via Coldwell Banker Realty
2. Elkhart Lake, WI – $4,750,000
This waterfront estate in Elkhart Lake is listed for $4,750,000 and features 4,860 square feet of living space with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Built in 1935, the home offers a private pier, multiple indoor and outdoor living areas, a second kitchen, sauna, and boathouse, all on a lakefront lot. The property is located near Road America, with access to dining, festivals, and recreational activities.
Where is Elkhart Lake?
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, is a village in Sheboygan County known for its deep, spring-fed lake. It hosts Road America, a major motorsports road course just outside the village. The area features resorts, spas, and historic sites tied to early 20th-century tourism. Elkhart Lake is a seasonal destination for both recreation and racing events.
Living Room
A red brick fireplace with arched details anchors the central living room framed by rustic beams and neutral walls. Cozy seating surrounds the hearth, with a wooden sideboard positioned beneath a transom window. Through a wide archway, additional rooms connect seamlessly with the open plan.
Family Room
Vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and a full wall of windows create a scenic backdrop in this family room. A mix of upholstered chairs and a large ottoman anchor the layout, arranged around a TV console. Natural views fill the space with light and reflect across the wood flooring.
Enclosed Porch
Exposed brick pillars and wood flooring run along a long enclosed porch designed for dining and lounging. Full-height glass panels face the lake, while a series of pendant lanterns illuminate the walkway. Furnishings include two separate dining areas with mixed chairs and a sideboard at the far end.
Dining Room
Vaulted wood ceilings and expansive windows surround a formal dining room with a long table and twelve upholstered chairs. Light streams in from both sides, highlighting the polished floors and classic wood trim. A brass chandelier and mid-century sideboard complete the space.
Bedroom
Vaulted ceilings and wall-to-wall windows offer a panoramic lakeside view from the primary bedroom. A platform bed, workout equipment, and neutral decor fill the space beneath tongue-and-groove paneling. Multiple windows on two sides make the water visible from nearly every angle.
1. Okauchee, WI – $5,750,000
Located on over 1.5 acres along Okauchee Lake, this $5,750,000 property offers 6,977 square feet of living space with 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. It features 139 feet of lake frontage, three piers, a rare boathouse, and includes a terrace level with a second kitchen, game room, and exercise room.
Additional amenities include a four-car garage, detached garage, and a first-floor primary suite with private access to a rooftop perch.
Where is Okauchee?
Okauchee, Wisconsin, is an unincorporated community centered around Okauchee Lake in Waukesha County. It is known for boating, fishing, and lakefront dining. The area features residential neighborhoods mixed with seasonal homes and local businesses. It lies northwest of Milwaukee and attracts visitors for its recreational opportunities.
Front Exterior
A circular driveway leads to the front of a large estate featuring a mix of stone and siding, with dormer windows and wooden garage doors. At the center of the driveway, a tiered fountain anchors the entrance and frames the view toward the arched front porch. Trees and landscaped beds wrap the house and provide privacy on all sides.
Living Room
Wood beams stretch across the ceiling in a living room centered around a stone fireplace flanked by built-in shelves. Neutral-toned seating surrounds a rustic coffee table while oversized windows provide a view of the lake just beyond the trees. Slate and wood flooring meet beneath a ceiling fan in this bright corner of the home.
Kitchen
Dark cabinetry and granite counters line a kitchen outfitted with a central island and four wooden bar stools. Pendant lighting and exposed beams carry through from the adjacent living room, while stainless steel appliances are integrated throughout. A formal dining space is partially visible off to the side.
Sunroom
Tongue-and-groove paneling wraps the walls and ceiling of a circular sunroom filled with windows and wicker seating. Cushioned chairs form a conversational circle around a central fire pit table. Ceiling fan and door access connect the room to the outdoor deck.
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Bedroom
Sloped wood ceilings and large windows define a primary bedroom that looks out over surrounding treetops and water. A ceiling fan, neutral bedding, and recessed lighting keep the space grounded, while an open passage leads to a private sitting room. Natural wood trim frames each window, pulling in the lake views from every angle.
Source: Peter Mahler Team @ Mahler Sotheby’S International Realty via Coldwell Banker Realty
