House of the Week: “Mushroom” House in Cincinnati and Maplewood, NJ
Author:Erika Riggs and Mark Slade
3331 Erie Avenue, Cincinnati OH
For sale: $349,000
But, as a local Realtor for Keller Williams, I have to say I am partial to this recently listed "mushroom" house at 11 South Crescent:
11 South Crescent, Maplewood NJ
In the Spanish city of Barcelona, where architect Anton Gaudi created some of the world’s most individualistic and artistic structures in the world, one might expect to find something called “Mushroom House.”
Back to the first home: Believe it or not, the Cincinnati Mushroom House is located in neighborhood of Hyde Park, set among the traditional Colonials and capes.
No wonder the sight of this art house makes passersby slam on their brakes!
That is the effect “Mushroom House” has on visitors to this Midwest city. The home was built over a 10-year span by architect Terry Brown. Situated in the Hyde Park neighborhood, across from a restaurant and surrounded by more “traditional” looking homes, Brown’s creation stands out as a one-of-a-kind art installation.
Brown bought the property as a single-family home in 1989 and in 1991, began transforming the home into his custom office. An assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, Brown involved the work of his students to help turn the home into a piece of organic architecture. In an interview, Brown described the home’s building process “an extension of transcendentalism.”
While critics surmise that the home wasn’t built with a plan, listing agent Amanda Voss says that Brown definitely had a design and it shows in the home’s intricate details and unique building materials ranging from wood, colored glass and shells to ceramics and various metals.
“He had a plan,” Voss said. “Everything is hand done — right down to the wood detailing and tiny tiles. It’s an art installation really, and it took so long because he incorporated the design students.”
The construction length adds to the appeal of the house, Voss said.
“There’s a generation of people who grew up watching it being built,” Voss explained. “My daughters always wanted to know what would happen next.”
Once the Cincinnati home was done, Brown used it as an office. But, the 1-bedroom, 1-bath house has a kitchen and could easily be turned into a single-family home.
“It could be a great office, a great home for somebody or even a great bed-and-breakfast because it’s a piece of art,” said Voss.”His passion lives in it.”
The quirky, one-bedroom, one-bathroom Mushroom House in Cincinnati is named for its unique siding that perfectly resembles the underside of a mushroom. Complete with a spiraling, neon-orange staircase, curved walls, psychedelic stained glass, circular steel steps and anthropomorphic window shapes, the home is currently listed for $349,000.
Every inch of the 1,260-square-foot Mushroom House is decked out in either wood, colored glass, shell or ceramics. In fact, it shines with so many different colors, shapes and textures.
Architect Terry Brown spent a decade creating the home along with 35 of his former students from the University Of Cincinnati, College Of Design, Architecture. The result is perhaps more art than abode.
What do you think? Would you want to live in a home like that?
Source: AOL Real Estate
According to Zillow’s mortgage calculator, a monthly payment on the Mushroom House would be $1,289 a month, assuming a 20 percent down payment on a 30-year-mortgage.
The Maplewood Mushroom Home is a high profile home right across from Memorial Park and virtually across the street from the Mid-Town Direct train station, providing an average of a 37 minute commute to NYC. "This authentic Tudor is known as the "Mushroom House" located on one of the most prestigious streets in Maplewood. The great room is appointed with a 22' gilded, dome ceiling, 30' x 40' 2nd flr balcony, flr to ceiling limestone fireplace, Leaded glass and bronze french doors, and original pipe organ. Stained, leaded glass windows thru-out, Terrazo flr in sunroom & bsmt., amazing stain glass window on landing of elegant main staircase. The basement features an "Old World" Rathskeller. Superior craftmanship abounds. Original lighting fixtures in great room and dining room. Many updates since 2007 include roof, copper gutters & window wells, repointed chimney, boiler, a/c, tankless water htr, and patio. Words can describe this beauty. IT IS A MUST SEE!! "
Click here to see Maplewood's Mushroom House
Mark Slade
Keller Williams
917.797.5059
Good Homes
Mark Slade
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