Marcel Breuer's Masterpiece, Breuer II of 1951 is For Sale for $5,850,000

Yes, this is 628 West Road in New Canaan, known as the Breuer II house and it is for sale. 

Breuer I was built in 1947 and Breuer II was built in 1951.

Breuer II is listed by Sherri Keilland of Houlihan Lawrence in New Canaan. This house can be shown to qualified buyers only by an appointment with the listing agent. You can reach her at 203-966-3507.

I recently had the pleasure of taking some of my clients to see this great house and it did not disappoint. Sherri could be the best agent at showing a house in all of New Canaan. Always on time, always prepared, she took the time to show the house and had it unfold for my clients in a way that really brought the house to life. With an encyclopedic knowledge of the midcentury moderns in general, and this house in particular, she took us through the history of the house, what was original, what had changed, and how Toshiko Mori had followed Breuer's original intent while bringing the house into the 21st century. 

My client was heard to say at the end of our tour, "This house is a bargain at the asking price." Indeed.

Here is a link to view information about Breuer II including  maps of the property, photos and video. 

And, here is a link to the recent story in Realtor.com in which I am quoted talking about Breuer and the importance of this house:

“The Breuer II house is an exceptional work by a master and commands a seven-figure premium over ordinary houses of the same vintage or size,” says John Engel, a New Canaan agent. Engel isn’t the listing agent for the Breuer II, but he has a deep understanding of historic properties in the area.

“It is estimated that over 90 true Mid-Century Moderns were built between 1946 and 1968, and about 50 have survived [in New Canaan]. And there are more modern examples that borrow from the clean lines of the Mid-Century aesthetic,” says Engel. “There is an increasingly strong market for these homes driven in part by the aesthetic, in part by a resurgence in popular culture with shows like ‘Mad Men.’”

“Breuer II is unusual in a couple of key ways,” says Engel. “First, Marcel Breuer is one of the most important members of the Harvard Five, and he did only two houses in New Canaan. And he did this house for himself. Second, this house has been updated and expanded by a world-renowned architect in a tasteful way, consistent with the Breuer aesthetic.”

Breuer’s accomplishments are many. Born in Hungary, he began his career as a furniture designer and developed the “handlebar chair,” later known as the Wassily Chair, which is still being replicated and imitated today.

His accomplishments include designing the Whitney Museum of America in New York City and the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. He was awarded the American Institute of Architects gold medal in 1968.

 

This is the Pirelli tire building in New Haven, now owned by IKEA. It is a Breuer masterpiece and no, it is not for sale.

(Again, Breuer II is listed by Sherri Keilland of Houlihan Lawrence in New Canaan. This house can be shown to qualified buyers only by an appointment with the listing agent, 203-966-3507)

Market Report Observations for July 2015

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1. Condo sales are down from last year. That's because there is so little condo inventory. Correction: 14 condos came on the market in June to bring us back up to 38 condos for sale, up from only 24.

2. Sales are up in 2015 because of a strong June and strong 2nd quarter. That's because winter was late and harsh and it backed up the Spring selling season.

3. Median price has been unchanged since last year. That is consistent with Zillow's estimate that New Canaan is growing at a 1.5% rate.

4. New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich and Stamford all experienced an uptick in sales volume this year.

Wilton and Rowayton are showing a decrease in sales versus this time last year.

5. Home prices and interest rates are expected to climb in the next year, decreasing purchasing power.  July and August is the time to buy, with record levels of inventory and 30 year mortgage rates at 4.125% 

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49 Middle Ridge Road - 2 Flat Acres in the Hoyt Farm Neighborhood

A custom designed brick colonial located on a ''great two acre'' parcel in New Canaan. Just minutes from Town Center, Train Station, Merritt Parkway and I-95. Incredibly well built with extra insulation and high efficient windows and walls. Interior has been newly painted and update, refinished floors and lighting. Upgraded well, septic system, boiler, and water heater. Kitchen updated in 2007 with granite counter tops, carrier central HVAC system, slate lined roof, decking and dormers.

I like this house because its set gracefully back from the road on a slight incline. The approach from a circular drive allows guests to enter through the front door, while there is the option to drive around to the left side of the house, park and enter through the garage doors up to the kitchen.

Inside, the floors are all hardwood, the windows are new and the house has been freshly painted in whites and neutral colors.

The kitchen and baths are a bit dated, but since over 80% of buyers want to put in their own kitchen I have encouraged the current owner to list the house as-is and let the new owner design his/her kitchen.

Similarly, the backyard offers an opportunity for pool, tennis court, or a walk-out finished basement. While the septic is currently sized for a 4-5 bedroom house we have engineering drawings that show how the septic can be expanded or relocated on the property to accommodate a house twice the size with twice the bedrooms.

The house is easy to show. Please call us and make an appointment. You won't be disappointed.

1958 Porsche at the Greenwich Car Show and Concours d'Elegance this Weekend, and some of my favorite pictures of that car...

Mead Park

Boissonas House of 1958

Philip Johnson

blending in with the bricks

even the engine is pretty, everything in its place

Mead Park Photo Shoot for the Catalog

Saying Goodbye to the Car in Greenwich

227 Lambert Road

http://www.lambertbarn.com

at the James Evans house, 1960

a hyperbolic paraboloid roof in the background

Philip Johnson's Wiley Speculative House

Bonham's Auction in Greenwich

 

Porsche 1958 and 1965

Tavern Island is For Sale $11 million

Tavern Island in Norwalk Harbor with views of Rowayton and Darien

Tavern Island is For Sale for about $11 million.

I remember my first time on this island, about 19 years ago, a tour hosted by friend and island caretaker Geoff Farris. Carefully maintained, beautiful and private, Tavern Island has all the creature comforts that other island lack because it is connected to the mainland for water and electricity. Nearby L'Hammock Island makes its electricity from solar panels and collects its water from the roof.

Tavern's most recent owner is Albert Zesiger of Zesiger Capital. He purchased Tavern Island in 1982 for $950,000.

I remember seeing a 70 year old Mr. Zesiger swim around his 4 acre island just to keep in shape. Mr. Zeziger had the foresight to purchase a waterfront property in Rowayton and build a terrific stone and steel dock and a garage for his cars. He has two steel boats that can transport he and his guests to the island in any weather and which have no trouble breaking through the occasional ice.

In the 1960's and 1970's Tavern Island was a summer camp.

From 1957 until his death in 1966 Tavern Island was owned by Hollywood and Broadway maverick Billy Rose of "It's Only a Paper Moon" fame. Billy would hoist a flag with a rose on it signifying that the party had started and all of the stars came out from New York City to join him there. There are rumors of Barbara Streisand, Maureen O'Sullivan and Marilyn Monroe partying on Tavern Island.

Writer Lillian Hellman rented the caretaker’s cottage and it is there that Hellman is said to have completed The Little Foxes in the late 1930s.

Olivia illustration

 

Tavern Island was home to author, illustrator and set designer Ian Falconer as a boy, traveling by boat to school. One can imagine how his adventurous island childhood may have impacted the creation of his famed illustrated character Olivia, from the children’s book series.


What does $11 million buy?

• A 1900 Tudor home with 6 bedrooms, 7 baths, 2 offices, an exercise room and steam room.
• A 2-bedroom, 2-bath guest cottage
• A boat house with a large game room, bedroom and bath
• A tea house with stunning nighttime views of the New York City lights.
• Two boats and a half-acre property with a dock and parking lot



Ian Falconer

• A 75-foot pool that overlooks one of four private beaches

If you have any interest in seeing Tavern Island, give me a call. I have a boat nearby and am always looking for an excuse to use it.

(Tavern Island is currently listed by Rick Higgins of the Higgins Group and Rick can be reached at 203-254-9000)

Sneak Peek: Beautiful 5 Bedroom Cape on 2.7 acres, $1.575

We are very pleased to be able to offer this outstanding house on Laurel Road. We are waiting for the new photographs in order to list it on the Multiple Listing Service, but we thought we would whet your appetite with this preview photo. We are taking appointments now for showings later this week.

Five Reasons we are excited about this listing:

1. Its a pretty house. Look at that inviting front porch, set slightly above the road, the beautiful stone wall, the belgian block lined driveway, the flat front yard and tell me it gets any better than this.

2. Nearly Three Acres for the Price of One!  Its no secret that you get a lot more for your money just a few minutes out of town. Located 3 miles from the fire house, this house is an easy 6 minute drive into town. The peace and quiet, listening to the crickets in summertime on the less-busy streets - this is the reason many of us fell in love with New Canaan and the reason we stay.

3. Master Bedroom Suite on the First Floor. This is a really elegant solution, giving a bit more separation between the master and the other bedrooms. But, if that is not for you there is the option of Master Suite on the Second floor since 3 of the bedrooms are en-suite.

4. The Great Room on the Second Floor. This room really is great, with high ceilings and big windows with a view over the back yard to the woods beyond.

5. The Family Room with Brick Fireplace Is Located Next to the Eat-In Kitchen. We know how important the kitchen is these days. According to Houzz.com, 82% of us replace or substantially renovate the kitchen when we buy a home because that is where we spend the most time. If you are going to invest in a new kitchen you want to know that the layout works. This layout works.

If you are as excited about this listing as we are pick up the phone, call your agent and make an appointment to see it. You will be glad you did.

Three Really Great Houses

I just love these three new listings.  I'd be proud to call any one of them my forever home.

The first, at 227 Lambert Road, is definitely what you'd call a "forever home"  It is a beautiful home on a beautiful flat property beside a picturesque river about a block from the Country Club. Alongside the home are three of the most beautiful barns you've ever seen. The first is currently set up as an exercise studio. The second is a two bedroom apartment for guests. And the third barn is whats known as a"party barn" because it has got everything you will need to throw the party to end all parties. Inside, under high ceilings and massive beams is a bar area, a full chef's kitchen, large screen TV's, and a massive sliding barn door that opens to let the party spill outside. Downstairs is enough room for 20 square dancers. Or, a trading floor. Or, a Zumba studio. Upstairs is sleeping accommodations for what seems like half a dozen guests, at least.

While on the one hand this compound of interesting buildings appeals to a certain nostalgia we all have for the house in the country that is not too big, not too small, with great fireplaces, old reclaimed barn-wood floors and full of interesting spaces and character, it also appeals to our more modern needs for an open floor plans, high ceilings and space to get away from everyone. After all, sometimes you just want to go dancing, or exercise, or watch a movie or play music with the sound all the way up. That's what the barns are for.

The second house is practically in the middle of town (although you'd never know it!) Hidden behind an electric gate this vintage 1938 colonial sits on one acre with a pool only steps from the village and train station. I promise if you live here you are definitely close enough to walk to the train and walk home from the bars.

The house was home to several stars over the years. Mary Martin, the original Peter Pan on Broadway, lived here in the 1950's with her teenage son, Larry Hagman, who would later play Major Nelson on "I Dream of Jeannie" and later J.R. Ewing on TV's Dallas. Thirty years later Academy Award winning actress Claire Trevor bought this house and added the first floor master bedroom suite, an elegant suite which is today as elegant and far more tasteful than anything you'll find in Beverly Hills.

Finally, this stunning modern home on 93 Graenest Ridge Road in Wilton is the surprise of the group. Unassuming when you approach coming up the driveway, this house of wood and stone really opens up on the sides and rear with walls of glass to let the light and feeling of nature inside. I think this is going to appeal to someone coming from the city who just wants to get away from the bustle and is drawn to the sophisticated design and the private setting. And, what they'll discover is that there is a secret trail through the woods to the restaurants and shopping of downtown Wilton center. That combination of both style and privacy with such proximity to the best of Wilton makes this house completely unique on the market.