The large, asymmetrical, towered Italianate house was built on a bluff overlooking the harbor and business district of Grand Haven for local physician Arend Vander Veen (1840–1930) and his wife, Kate. Vander Veen was born in Amsterdam but left the Netherlands with his parents to join the Van Raalte colony that founded Holland. Black walnut woodwork and plasterwork highlight the interior. The front porch was probably enclosed later. The house was built by local masons Hartger Jonker and John Van Dougen and carpenter Charlie Ball.