Front Elevation: Art House
Owning an architect-designed home is akin to living in a work of art.
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Built in different eras to accommodate different needs, most architecturally significant homes lack modern amenities, from adequate storage to expansive kitchens and master suite baths. And while many designer properties lack desirable locations or square footage, most real estate agents agree that the value of the architecture can somewhat offset the home’s incurable defects. “If a John Lautner home came on the market, I would tell my client to buy it regardless of condition,” says Jan Horn, founder and executive director of Coldwell Banker’s architectural division in Los Angeles.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();) |
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In addition to location, the home’s condition and/or renovation, the architect’s pedigree and the baseline price of similarly sized homes in the neighborhood come into play when determining value. (“Has someone fought with the house and lost?” asks Richard Stanley, a Los Angeles real estate agent who has been selling architecturally significant properties since 1987).
The Schindlers, Neutras, Lautners and Wrights occupy the highest tier of architects. Their protégés come in second, followed by modern-day masters: the Frank Gehrys and Richard Meiers. But given the demand for innovative design, even creatively rendered homes by unknown architects are selling very well in today’s market.
Jan Horn, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate,
310.777.6200, www.janhorn.com, www.coldwellbanker.com
Martie Lieberman, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate,
941.724.1118, www.modernsarasota.com, www.floridamoves.com
Richard Stanley, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
323.906.2417, www.richardstanleyrealtor.com, www.coldwellbanker.com
Douglas Newby, Douglas Newby & Associates
214.522.1000, www.significanthomes.com
Jolynne Ash, DreamStreet Real Estate
888.475.4040, www.jolynne.com
Scott Jarson, Jarson & Jarson,
480.425.9300, www.azarchitecture.com
Marmol Radziner & Associates,
310.826.6222
Mike Deasy, Mossler Deasy & Doe, 310.275.2222,
www.architectureforsale.com
Brian Linder, Mossler Deasy & Doe, 800.684.8862,
www.thevalueofarchitecture.com
Bill Kirk, Sotheby’s International Realty, 561.659.3555,
www.palmbeach.sothebysrealty.com
Susan Blabey, William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty
888.252.7488, www.williampittsir.com
