mid century modern

What is Mid Century Modern Architecture

What is Mid Century Modern Architecture?

 The new buzz word around Fairfield County lately is Mid- Century modern architecture. Some times called “California Contemporary”, Mid -Century modern architecture is usually defined as buildings constructed between the 1940’s through the late 1960’s. Norwalk, Westport, Weston, Stamford, and especially New Canaan all have some very fine examples of this type of architecture. Typically Mid-Century modern architecture features include clean lines, open floor plans, walls of glass and the feeling of living within nature. These innovative architects with their simplistic styles were considered ahead of their time.

 Some of the local pioneers of Mid-Century modern architecture are John Black Lee, Victor Christ-Janer, George Nemeny, and a group called the Harvard Five; John Johansen, Marcel Breuer, Landis Gores, Eliot Noyes and Phillip Johnson.

Phillip Johnson designed the famous Glass House in New Canaan. This house which is on the National Historic Register was his primary residence until his death in 2005. The house and all of its out buildings are currently open for tours.

 There are a couple of developments in Norwalk that could be considered true Mid-Century modern style. Village Creek was the first modern development in Norwalk. This 67 home community was designed by notable architects like Klaus Grabe, Percy Ifill, and Edger Tafel. This forward thinking community is situated along Long Island sound between Outer Road and Dock Road. Village Creek was built in 1950 and it will be celebrating its sixtieth anniversary this year.  This community currently has an application on file for National Historic Register status.

 The second Mid- Century modern community consists of thirty homes and was built between 1952 and 1955. Located in West Norwalk along five Mile River on Prince’s Pine Rd. and Alewives Rd. these homes were featured in Homes and Garden magazine specifically because of the way they were built using innovative materials and each home was sited by the developer to sit perfectly into the landscape.

 Norwalk has some examples of Mid -Century architecture outside of these developments. A very early example is the R.P. Ettinger house designed by Kahn and Jacobs in 1940 and is located on the border of Norwalk and Westport.  There is also a uniquely designed home built in 1954 by R.W. Vansummern nestled along the Silvermine River. A mid-century home situated along Five Mile River in West Norwalk home originally designed in 1952 by George Nemeny and built for the President of the Burndy Corporation has been recently restored by its current architect owner. Both the Silvermine home and the West Norwalk home are currently listed for sale.

 The Westport Historical Society just recently had an exhibit “When Cool was Hot”. This exhibit featured some of the examples of Westport and Weston’s Mid- Century modern homes. The exhibit was put together by Historic Preservationist Morley Boyd and Architect Michael Glynn. After a failed attempt to save the Paul Rudolph house in Westport from the wrecking ball they decided to bring more awareness to the public about these homes.  These homes are usually situated on great pieces of property and are small in size. This unfortunately gives a perfect opportunity for someone to knock the house down and build a much larger home in its place.

New Canaan is nationally recognized for its many examples of modern architecture. Approximately 100 modern homes were built in town, and about 20 have been torn down.

 Information about most Mid -Century modern homes is difficult to find. Despite their recent construction, many of these structures have changed hands many times and their histories have been lost in the process. Mid-Century modern architects are just beginning to be recognized.

 As a Mid -Century modern enthusiast, I’m hopeful in the near future that the public starts to really appreciate all that this form of design has to offer. For further information on localMid -Century homes for sale please contact us.

 Peter Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC

203-899-9990

mid century modern

Norwalk CT Property Sales Transfers June 1 - 15

11 Lockwood Lane
Edward & Lea Bassett to Angela Hartwell, $320,000

 10 Maplewood Terrace
Thomas & Laura Pippitt to Rocco Nicoletti, $351,300

 12 Tulip Tree Lane
Jennifer & Sean Smith to Lada Bukharina, $735,000

 71 Gregory Blvd
David Jenkins to Joshua Tofteland, $499,000

 2 Pettom Road
Nevil & Edwin Batres to Gravino & Palmina Demidio

 64 Ledgebrook Drive
National Residential Nominee Services to Olga Sergeyava, $325,000

 3 Nolan Street
US Bank NA to Carlos Chica, $270,000

 155 Witch Lane
Ford-Gerham Partners to Peter Cooperman & Rachel Walack, $525,000

 8 Taylor Avenue #5
Deutsche Bank National Trust Co to Robert Luz, $180,000

 28 Ambler Drive
David & Cherise Czaja to Przemyslaw & Beata Koniecko, $430,750

 75 Wolfpit Avenue
US Bank NA to Richard Silverstein, $279,000

 118 Dry Hill Road
Jen Yimei to Fanny Potes, $345,000

 36 Sniffen Street & 21 Slocum Street
The White Eagle Building Assoc Inc to Inglesia Hispana Tiempo DeCoecha Inc., $675,000

 5 Pumpkin Stem
David & Abigail Salvati to Richard & Allison Paul, $521,000

 188 Rowayton Avenue
Estate of Barbara Garfield to Karen Edgecomb, $1,200,000

 121 Main Street
Auguste & Silmonise Frederic to Johnny Lo, $240,000

 25 Grand Street Unit 65
Clocktower Close Assoc LLC to Elizabeth Gall, $202,950

 11 Ludlow Manor
Kai & Jessica Strasse to Stephen Bedwell, $620,000

 12 Sherwood Street
Joan Damato to Charles & Danielle Talisse, $550,000

 6 Jean Avenue
Brian Foley to Marta & Tomasz Lokaj, $372,500

 27 Starlight Drive
Gennaro & Rosanne Grimaldi to Mario & Julia Contacessi, $290,000
 

2 Yale Street
Victor & Amy Terenzio to Dominick & Ruth Lettera, $372,000

 15 Strathmore Lane
Johathan Harris to Gail Halvorsen, $392,000

 11 Norden Place #30
Matthew Bennett Jr to Sidney Otoshi, $164,438.00

 166 Chestnut Hill Road
Andrew & Gretchen Hilton to Robert & Jane Romagnoli, $582,500

 34 Ferris Avenue Unit B3
Woodbury LLC to Priscilla Sanchez & Andres Edison, $390,000

 100 Richards Avenue Unit 305
Hilary Oestreich to Judith Edwards, $339,000

 34 Gregory Boulevard
Barbara Andresen to Darryl Newman, $370,000

 1 Harbor Road
Anthony & Daria Ward to Daniel Malasky, $1,275,000

 307 Flax Hill Road
Gary James to James Screws, $197,000

 60 Carter Street Ext
US Bank NA trustee to William & Stephen DeLeo, $280,000

 212 Richards Avenue #8
Estate of Dorothy McSally to Bruce & Melissa Ellard, $584,000

 71 Aiken Street Unit M2
Angelo Mazzola & Gianni Montefuscoli to Nicole Querze, $290,500

 6 Redwood Road
Joseph & Maria Taylor to Denise Drake & Margaret Drenckhahn, $500,000

 173 West Rocks Road
Estate of Michael Koba to Brian Clark, $354,900

 1 Timberline Road
Theresa Kolenda to Michael Horicka & Ingrid Herickova, $385,000

 602 Foxboro Drive
Drury Phebus to Anne Marie Ramppen, $330,000

 21 Grey Hollow Road
Nathan & Camille Bailey to Beth & Darren Skott, $665,000

 40 Pine Hill Avenue
Richard & Jennifer Leparmentier to Noah & Rita Wilker, $665,000

 985 New Norwalk Road
Elinar & Ellyn Ulfsson to Andrew & Josephina Bell, $905,000

 16 Ells Street
Elizabeth Gordon to David McCarthy, $277,500

 4 Willow Street
Homesales Inc to Enid & Esteban Buitrago, $262,000

 100 Richards Avenue Unit 202
Darren & Beth Skott to Sachia Maheshwavi, $341,000

 37 Clinton Avenue
Dominic & Lorraine Tesauro to Dimitrios Nikiforos, $362,500

 41 Bluff Avenue
George & Susan Middleton to Arnold Rutkin, $2,500,000

 29 Van Buren Avenue Unit H11
Marc & Katia Pelerin to Latoya Lowery, $240,000

 32 Ivy Place
LNV Corp to Joseph Vincoli, $260,000

 11 Silk Street
Bank of America NA to Peter Boccarossa, $220,000

 7 Old Witch Court
Janice Garten to Robert & Elizabeth Hicks, $725,000

 7 Ledge Road
Dalton & Karen Edgecolmb to Andrew & Karin Howells, $2,025,000

mid century modern

First Time Homebuyers 101

First Time Homebuyers - 101

 Doing research on how to buy a home is a serious time investment. There are plenty of ways to get this info on your own. Newspapers are a good starting point to find information by taking a look at the local property transfers. This can help you see what homes have sold for and how much activity is taking place in the town you are interested in. You can also do plenty of research on the internet. This is a great way to start compiling your information. The next thing that you want to do is find a great real estate agent. The best way to do this is through a referral from family and friends or you may meet a great agent through a weekend open house.

 There is no need to be anxious about what comes next. The process can seem so overwhelming. The first thing that you need to do is talk over your financing options with a qualified reputable mortgage broker or bank. You can discuss your down payment options and see which loan programs best fit your needs. Then you will have a starting point on the price range for your new home. Now you are armed with your information. Its time to go home shopping.

 Do you want to live in the city or suburbs? What are you looking for in home? Do you want a certain style? How many bedrooms? What home style do you like? Do you want a ranch, colonial, condo or high rise? Once you narrow this down, take a look and see what fits in your price point.

 Now you go out with your Realtor and start looking. You will probably see a lot of properties your first time out. Don’t get confused. I recommend bringing a digital camera to document each property. You should also take notes and pay attention to the home’s surroundings. Remember the old saying “Location, location, location”. After leaving each property you should rate them right away. This allows you to make an easy decision later.

 You found your home, now what? You make an offer through your real estate agent. There will be some negotiating back and forth. Finally everyone agrees to terms and price. You give a 1% binder check to show good faith that you are serious about purchasing the home. There will be an offer to purchase which has information about the property including dates and contingencies. This is an agreement on paper that will provide the attorneys information to create a binding contract. Next its time to hire a building inspector to look over the property for you and you need to hire an attorney. It’s best if you hire an attorney that specializes in real estate law. If everything is okay you will go to contract the next few days. This will be the legal and binding document that your bank will need to continue processing the loan.

 From this point on the bank and your attorney will contact you and ask you for all sorts of paperwork and documentation to complete the loan process. When you receive your mortgage commitment, its time to start dreaming about paint colors and decorating.

  This year there is the first time home buyers tax credit of $8000 for qualified buyers.

You must have a contract to purchase a home by April 30^th, 2010 and close on the home by June 30, 2010. Eligible properties can be purchased up to $800,000. There are income limits for first time homebuyers. Single home purchaser’s income can be up to $125,000 and married couples up to $225,000. There is a partial tax credit for incomes that are within $20,000 of limits. There is also a tax credit of $6500 for “Step Up” home buyers. These are just some of the basic terms. For more information please go to www.Bondirealtygroup.com and click on Home Buyers Tax Credit.

 2010 is a great time to buy. Prices are affordable and there are many homes to choose from. Mortgage rates are historically low and there is the home buyer’s tax credit. This combination should help stimulate the real estate market for the immediate future.

 Betty Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC

203-899-9990

mid century modern

Norwalk CT Property Sales Transfers April 22 - 30

135 Grumman Avenue
Sean & Tracy Flynn to Joseph & Alison Prunotto, $450,000

 19 Old Lantern Place
Estate of Eva Flowers to CIL Realty Inc., $485,000

 345 Main Avenue
Parkway Plaza Inc to 214^th Street Realty Group Inc., $5,675,000

 19 Ryan Avenue
CT Best Homes, LLC to Mark Lennon, $390,000

 177 West Rocks Road
Michael & Shana Russnok to Pamela Miranda, $533,500

 144 Ponus Avenue
Michelle & Frank Marini to John & Marian Thielsen, $477,000

 16 Hunters Lane
Dorothy Intellisano Trust to Manuel Garcia & Ramon Ydler, $407,000

 21 Old Trolley Way
Estate of Michael Fabrizio to George Iosifidis, $250,000

 115 Fillow Street Unit 33
Marilyn Woodhall & Kathleen Apruzzese to Eileen Biondo, $249,000

 8 Golden Court
Estate of Herbert Miller & Gloria Miller to Thomas & Susan Flangan trustees, $4,825,000

 50 Harborview Avenue
Paul Cook to John & Tamara Cox, $890,000

 9-11 Park Street Unit 401
Thomas & Cecylia Cahill to Jeffrey Bisson, $105,000

 17 Ambler Drive
Denise DeMarsh to Gregory Oehley, $372.500

 65 Strathmore Lane
Mohamad Bahrami & Berend Van Toor to Ryan & Meaghan Drummond, $355,000

 43 Winfield Street
Ioannis Drosos to Hall Brooke Behavioral Services Inc., $842,500

 60 William Street
Dave Marantz Committee to Bank of New York, $398,572.46

 13 Spruce Street
Estate of Josephine Nagy to Christie Ruiz, $277,000

 40 William Street
Josephine Pisacano to Hariklia Gavrielidis, $406,487

 283 Fillow Street
Geoffrey Steadman & Kristine Lyon to Echo Valley LLC, $250,000

 10 Lloyd Road
Marin Stewart to Michael & Ursula Cotta, $345,000

 68 Main Street Unit 4-1-D
Theodore & JoAnn Kopec to Seung  & Helen Lee, $110,000

 2 West Avenue Unit 12
Catherine & Frederick Petrini trustee to Jeff & Onelda Koehler, $159,000

 11 Keeler Avenue
Paul Latham & Debora Robare to David & Celi George, $585,000

 78-80 South Main Street
Krest Manufacturing Co, Inc. to 78 South Main Street, LLC, $965,000

 34 Ferris Avenue Unit A2
Woodbury LLC to Levancliff Valenton & Evangeline & Leo Degario, $390,000

 34 Ferris Avenue Unit A1
Woodbury LLC to Aries & Angela Valenton, $390,000

 10 Overbrook Road
Kenneth Cerulli to Denise York, $510,000

 118 Gregory Boulevard
Colleen Geisweit to Thorsten Suder, $595,000

 34 Calf Pasture Beach Road
Timon & Lori Malloy to Guillermo & Susan Suarez, $625,000

 167 Winfield Street
Rosemary Sweeting to Glen & Lori Dominick, $515,000

mid century modern

Norwalk CT Property Sales Transfers April 1 - 9

15 Pine Point Road Unit 239
Richard & Cynthia Ingersoll to Douglas & Kelly Ambrose, $130,000

 80 County Street Unit 12B
Kenneth Ambrosio & Kimberly Bundock to Zenggui Hellg & Nia Chen, $207,500

 4 Larkspur Lane
SO Partners llc to Aimee & Randall Derouin, $1,011,000

 296 Main Avenue Unit 14
Francis & Nicole Van Slyck to Andrew Street, $222,000

 100 Richards Avenue Unit 114
Linda Ettie to Mary Ann Gregg, $357,500

 8 Nearwater Road
Thomas & Pamela Cunningham to Daniel McHugh, $2,612,000

 28 Ivy Place
Estate of Catherine Castanga to Christopher Sgritta, $314,000

 173 North Taylor Avenue
Central Mortgage Co to Bozena Gorski, $200,000

 97 Richards Avenue Unit AA2
Kara Todd to Jennifer Marquis, $290,000

 9 Linden Heights
Andrew & Lorinda Gale to John Bancroft, $589,600

 37 Parkhill Avenue
Kathleen Kirk to Michael & Mariam Egege, $350,000

 46 Wilton Avenue
Stephen Imarata to Esther Shatavsky, $388,000

 14 Winthrop Avenue
Davie & Laure Friedman to Judith Cunningham, $461,000

 129 Gregory Boulevard Unit 48 & Dock 11
Helen Wilson trustee to Joseph & Marjorie Pucciarelli, $681,000

 37 Glenrock Road
Gerald & Teres Servidio to Frank Tomas, $295,000

 17 Covewood Drive
Bruce & Amy Wilkinson to Nora King, $1,025,000

 22 Robins Square East
Bank of NY to Carolina & Simon Ortiz, $313,000

 2 Broadview Terrace
Richard Silverstein to Johannes Enders, $417,000

 35 Stonybrook Road
Estates of Dorothy & Donald Sweeney to Geraldine Marcenyac, $379,900

mid century modern

Norwalk CT Property Transfer Sales March 16 - 31

15 Chestnut Hill Road
Alan Vertucci Sr to Alejandra Mariani & Anthony Giglio, $367,000

 19 Newfield Avenue
Guilermo Ramirez to Juan & Beatrice Carvajal, $325,000

 9 Tierney Street
Joseph & Frances Berardi to Jennifer Street, $319,000

 123 Old Belden Hill Road Unit 5
Kevin & Jamie Toohill to Christina Zugehoer, $320,000

 214 Gillies Lane Unit I9 & Garage G2 & G4
Rozena Shaheen to Katherine Davies, $435,000

 15 Pine Point Road Unit 99
Susan Miller to John & Michell Sini, $135,000

 4 Glenwood Avenue Unit B1
Padrig Khanal to Tej Giki, $190,000

 9 Ludlow Manor
Thomas Brigante to Michele Roos, $350,000

 6 Silver River Court
Noel Freeman to Yongchen Sun & Wei Wang, $633,000

 15 Steeple Top Road
Janette & Mark Brown to Jonathan & Amber Tucker, $585,000

 2 Algonquin Road
Michael & Effie Patrick to Virginia & John Anstead, $355,000

 130 Main Street Unit E3
Lockwood Terrace llc to Nikolas Griffith, $350,000

71 Aiken Street Unit A7
Tamara Falco to Jeanne Cohane, $247,500

 25 Carlin Street
Courtney Calderon to Franklin & Callen Chatfield Jr, $379,000

 2 West Meadow Place
Mortgage It Inc to Rafael & Leono Santaella, $90,000

 12 Leonard Street
Alfreda Moseley to Stuart & Jacqueline Lane, $240,000

 40 Hyatt Avenue
Maureen Jones & Ioannis & Kiriaki Tsahirides, $360,000

 15 Pine Point Road Unit 383
Paula & Carl Hermey to Douglas & Denise Harned, $148,000

 33 North Water Street Unit 410
Aurora Loan Services llc to Scott Hollander, $705,000

 33 North Water Street Unit 610
Linda Nugent to Daniel Hafner, $395,000
Patrick Nugent to Daniel Hafner, $395,000

 213 Silvermine Avenue
Estate of Mary Long to Brieanna Tiedemann, $450,000

 8 Winnepauk Drive
Russell Northrop & Barbara North to Laura Kaehler, $271,500

 38 Vanderbilt Avenue
Charles & Natalie Alini to Nathaniel & Cornelia Toothaker, $940,000

 50 Aiken Street Unit 346
Welmon & Jeraldine Dennison to Kirsten Thai, $240,000

 21 Autumn Street
Gary Pote to Ronald Collins, $439,000

 3 Avenue B
Felix Lopez to Andres Restrepo, $230,000

 58 Noahs Lane Extension
Giorgio & Adriana Cinquegrava to Jeremy Williams, $450,000

 14 Thames Street
Kristine Woleck to Joel Statkevicus, $365,000

 6 Burwell Street
JP Morgan Chase Bank NA to Mark Dam, $113,510

 154 Rowayton Woods Drive
Karin & David Owen to Gregory & Sarah True, $390,000

 25 Grand Street Unit 130
Lauren Gildersleeve to Erica Tobias, $225,000

 8 Bucciarelli Lane
Anna Lozyniak to William Masten, $380,000

 1 Walter Avenue Unit 26
Kay Welch to Karen Victory, $123,000

 115 Fillow Street Unit 60
Hanes & Hinda Christiano to Jenna Kowalseki & Alexander Russo, $329,000

 8 Walnut Avenue
Doris Barbieri to Positive Properties llc, $310,000

 204 Silver Creek Lane
Pieter & Linda Verbeck to Susan Babock, $729,000

 6 Macintosh Road
Arthur & Geraldine Zausner to Donna & Terri Caulley, $355,000

 15 Pine Point Road Unit 309
Jeffrey & Karen Butler to Marc & Brigitte Mansourian, $155,000

 28 Melrose Avenue
Carlos Rivas to James & Jenna DeLigio, $465,000

 5 Scott Street
John & Nancy Tan to Thomas & Angela Materra, $649,000

 21 Rockmere Lane
Hector Camacho to Fernando Grimaldi, $340,000

 15 Pine Point Unit 33
Katherine Norwood to Joseph Blazovic & Patricia Mallon, $140,000

 9 Elm Street Unit 1
Deutsche Bank NA to Mary Ann Witek, $120,000

 15 Huckleberry Drive
Mary Ann Gregg to Steven & Ellen Crawley, $540,000

mid century modern

1,190,000. - Mid Century Modern - West Norwalk CT

 Spectacular mid century modern design by award winning architects nestled on a picturesque river inclusive property in West Norwalk. Features include dramatic vaulted ceilings & 15′window in great room, custom designed open kitchen with SS appliances. Stone & hardwood floors. Office or guest suite area with sitting room, bedroom, kitchen and luxurious bath- great opportunity to work from home. Live in your own personal retreat. Fabulous master bedroom suite with dressing area and private terrace. Walk in closet-safe room with marble floor & washer, dryer area. Master bath with white carrera  tile shower and soaking tub. Copper gutters, 2 car garage, floor to ceiling windows overlooking Five Mile River & seasonal Waterfall views.

 The Original House, designed and built in 1952 by AIA Gold Medal winning ” Modernist Architect” George Nemeny, was significantly re-Constructed and added on to over a 6 year period by another award winning but contemporary architect.

The House and site work together to create a classic textbook example of the perfect solar orientated house. The house is sheltered from the winter winds by a distinctive surround of tall pines on the north and positioned on a level stretch of lawn midway on a gently south-sloping site. The unique “Eli” shaped floor plan takes advantage of views and sounds across the road at Florsheim Pond from the cantilevered Master Bedroom space and observation deck.

 Special note is to be made that the house functions as a Passive Solar House due to the 15′ tall monumental glass window on the south side and substantial windows in the new guest suite. The house and site have great solar access for photo-voltalcs or DHW collectors. As a result of the renovations, the house is now Super-insulated with 12″ walls and 24″ roofs in most areas, achieving R-40 in the walls and up to R-60 in the roof. These insulation values well exceed the current building codes. Due to its solar siting and the extensive use of the natural materials such as stone, wood & glass the original house design was way ahead of its time in anticipating the need for “Green” and energy efficient homes.

 New Living Spaces, Decks and Terraces

 New Kitchen space & custom cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and bluestone floors piped for radiant heat.

 New dining area space with sliders and bluestone floors piped for radiant heat.

 New sleeping loft with private bath and hideaway space with seasonal waterfall views.

 New guest suite or legal in law apartment with vaulted ceiling living area, bedroom, galley kitchen and private entrance.

 New 25′ long entry foyer/gallery with tall ceilings, north facing skylights and bluestone floor.

New master bedroom suite with master bathroom with separate vanity and shower/bath area. Bath area has tall window with seasonal river views. Master bath features extensive select white carerra marble tiles, tub surrounds, seats and tops.

Master bedroom has its own private deck with river and seasonal waterfall views.

These are just a few of the homes exciting details. Please call Bondi Realty Group for your private showing.

Peter& Betty Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC

203-899-9990