Jonathan Lee Architects

Jonathan provided creative and beautiful designs in the remodel of our 19th century dance pavilion turned summer home. We wanted to preserve the essence of the original structure with modern lines and functional spaces. He listened carefully and hit the nail on the head. Jonathan worked well with us and with the contractors at every step, and with his world of experience, was able to provide ideas and solutions new to us and to our builders. We could not be happier with the design, results or processes. Even though we were miles away from his office, communication was easy and efficient, and Jonathan is the consummate architect, professional, and gentleman.

Jonathan Lee is one of the finest and professional gentlemen my wife and I have ever worked with. He designed our new home using a small, existing farmhouse and created a 10,000 sq. ft. "home for the ages." His attention to detail, like 5 and 7 piece crown molding; his knowledge of mechanical systems; his choice of colors, and his ability to work with sub-contractors are extraordinary. My wife and I could not be more pleased and we continue to enjoy the home after 15 years. Oh.. the best news? The home and its design still look fresh and "like new"! In addition, we hired Jonathan to design our retirement home in downtown Charlevoix and he again produce a masterpiece. And really, best of all we call Jonathan our friend.

Jonathan Lee and team are outstanding. Jonathan is diligent, very talented, and very responsive to owner input. He has designed and we have built several projects for us including both a lake house and a beach house in Northern Michigan and a pool and pool house, as well as a lake and lake pavilion in Colorado. At my request, Jonathan approached our first project, the lake house, through a more scholarly introduction. We wanted a shingle style home. He brought us through the history of shingle style, teaching us about the elements of shingle style with examples from Newport RI through Maine. He then designed a magnificent lake house with our input. I’m a stickler for the right stone. He accompanied me on a tour of rock quarries north of Albany and then into southern Quebec, where we chose a host of flat work slates and wall stone gneisses and schists, which we used with great effect both at our lake house and our beach house. He flew to Colorado and helped reshape our pool, pavilion and lake project which improved it greatly. I also toured his other work in Northern Michigan at Crystal Downs near Frankfurt. These are also masterpieces with the highest standards of materials and design. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with all we’ve done together and would not hesitate doing future projects with home and his dedicated staff.

Jonathan Lee came highly recommended to us, and did not disappoint. We wanted to make a few changes to a lakeside cottage that had been in the family for 100 years. The goal was to make the improvements- electric, plumbing, heat and air and add a front porch in a way that looked seamless- as if the porch had always been part of the cottage. Visitors did a double take- “was this porch here the last time we were here?” Jonathan listened to what we wanted, made drawings of options, and helped us through the process. His knowledge and taste are impeccable, and he is patient and generous with his ideas. We were so pleased with his work and the process, that we have engaged him to build another structure for us.

Jonathan has helped us design two houses. Both have been beautiful, extremely successful personal residences that have also been featured in national publications in recognition of their aesthetic significance. Jonathan's superb understanding of the vocabulary of classical architecture is evident in every detail of his work. He is uncompromising in his commitment to quality, his choices of materials , and his insistence on craftsmanship. Deal with him using patience and he will reward you with a masterpiece.

Excellent service. Understood our vision and crafted a beautiful design. Listened closely and then presented ideas. Patient. True partnership offering guidance as well as advice. Worked closely with contractor. Good communicator. Detailed design and blueprints were unambiguous and contractor and client easily understood the design. He easily communicated the vision to contractor and represented us well. Fees were fair. Results were beyond expectation but accurately reflected the drawings and blueprints.