For Sale...Still: Louis Kahn's Margaret Esherick House

Friday's Architectural Landmarks as Investments post from Aaron reminded us of the news that the Louis Kahn-designed Margaret Esherick House is still up for sale following an auction last month...

According to Architectural Record, the 2-to-3-million-dollar home is still up for sale through auction house Wright. As auctioneer Richard Wright said, "I'm a bit mystified". We are too - it's a modern classic by an absolute master. And it's one of only three Kahn-designed houses ever built. Any ideas on why it can't sell?

Comments (8)

Well...it's a 1 bedroom home for 2-3 million dollars. I would guess that the current condition of the financial markets is probably discouraging that extravagant a purchase, even in the segment of the population that could potentially afford that pricetag. Basically, if they want that price, then I think they're just stuck waiting until exactly the right buyer comes along.

posted by sniplet on June 9th 2008 at 10:07am
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People nowadays are used to 4000 square foot living unfortunately in this day and age.

A similar, but more dire situation exists with a Philip Johnson house. Article is here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/25/fashion/25house.html?_r=1&ref=style&oref=login

posted by famewhore on June 9th 2008 at 10:16am
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If anyone is interested in a beautiful & rather large modern home in Savannah that really needs to be saved, drop me a line. There is one up the block from my house. It breaks my heart to see it in its current state and I worry about what may become of it.

It is vacant and for sale now (and has been for a long time). Like the comment above, it is going to take just the right person to come along and save it.

posted by P.T. on June 9th 2008 at 10:38am
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Margaret's uncle was Wharton Esherick, who built one of the most amazing homes I have ever seen. If you are ever near Philadelphia check out his home. Tours are by appointment only and on the weekends. I've been there at least a dozen times and see something new each visit.

http://www.levins.com/esherick.html

posted by dcphillie on June 9th 2008 at 12:00pm
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any relation to Joseph Esherick - professor/architect of Cal Berkeley architecture building Wurster Hall?

posted by showing on June 9th 2008 at 7:48pm
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I lived in Louis Kahn designed college dorm... Beautiful, but he didn't always design with "future improvements" in mind (the walls were solid concrete). Or snow.

posted by gquaker on June 10th 2008 at 4:33am
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there is a 9000 s. ft marcel breuer house for sale in litchfield ct. it's a gagarin house that has been totally gutted with most or all of the original features (fireplace, staircases, console and benches) kept intact. it's listed at 1.6 mil. someone with vision and patience is going to get a sweet deal.
such a shame to see these spectacular places just sitting there.

posted by fontaine on June 10th 2008 at 5:13am
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Although the interiors are beautifuly detailed, I doubt that many folks could get past the facade (it really is ugly, and I love modern architecture)

posted by bepsf on June 10th 2008 at 9:54am
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