QUICK FACTS: Address: 52 Huntleigh Woods, St Louis 63131 Price: $1,650,000 6 Bed, 6 Bath Lot Size: 2.76 acres Living Area: 5,803 Sq. Ft. Pr/Sqft: $284.34 Listed by: Julie Drier, Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty, 314-725-0009
Once you arrive to this exquisite colonial manse situated on 2.76 acres, you are immersed in its beauty & charm. The inviting front entry leads you to over 5800 sq feet of living space. The formal living rm w/ gas fireplace opens to the sun room over looking the backyard. The formal dining rm w/ its gorgeous moldings & mill work opens to the heart of the home; the kitchen and hearth room. The updated kitchen w/ new stainless steel appliances, new granite tops & back splashes & large walk-in pantry leads to a magnificent hearth room w/ wood beam ceilings, beautiful wood burning fireplace, custom built-ins & a fantastic view thru the French doors to the professionally landscaped back yard and the salt-water pool. The iron rod staircase leads you to the second floor. The master bedroom suite has it’s own sitting room. Four other bedrooms, three baths & a back staircase awaits you as well. The lower level has a rec room, bonus rm, and half bath. Beauty and charm abound!
A landmark midcentury modern home is on the market for the first time: iconic architect Bernard McMahon’s self-designed family property at 12 Berkshire Drive in Richmond Heights. “It’s a home most St. Louis residents have admired,” says Ted Wight, a real estate agent with Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty.
McMahon, a renowned residential and commercial architect in the St. Louis area from the 1940s through the 1970s, is known for designing more than 1,000 residences throughout Clayton, Ladue, Richmond Heights and elsewhere in West County, and leaving his indelible signature on the downtown Clayton skyline.
The Clayton native spent his childhood in a home on the corner of Bonhomme and Central avenues, dreaming of following in his father’s footsteps to become an architect. As McMahon grew up, he saw Clayton transform from what he called a “sleepy little town” to a bustling city center, Wight says. And after studying art and architecture at Washington University in St. Louis, McMahon would have a hand in making Clayton the business Mecca it is today.
After graduation, McMahon delved deeply into what would become a prolific career of architectural artwork and design. “One of his paintings, The Skyscrapers, was so incredibly stunning that it caught the eye of first lady Eleanor Roosevelt,” Wight notes. “She was deeply moved by McMahon’s emphasis on verticality and the depersonalization of the landscape, and soon bought it for her own personal collection.”
By the late 1940s, McMahon was ready to make his architectural mark on his hometown. His plan began by purchasing three lots on Bemiston Avenue – what was then an undeveloped edge of Clayton, Wight explains. “He intended to build a hotel complex, but at the last minute, his partners backed out,” says Wight. “He went on, alone, to build the new Clayton Inn [now Clayton Plaza] and established new zoning regulations, which opened Clayton to the high-rises that define its skyline today.” McMahon went on to design additional downtown Clayton structures, from the Famous-Barr garage to The Two Thirty Building, which still stands today.
Beyond commercial buildings, McMahon also made a significant impact on residential architecture. His residential style built off St. Louis’ classic architecture: He added a modern twist and ran the gamut of colonial to art deco to Hollywood regency designs.
When it came time to design his own family home at 12 Berkshire Drive in Richmond Heights in 1950, McMahon wanted to make it a showpiece for his architectural business, while giving himself a view of the beloved Clayton skyline he helped create through the years, Wight says. Situated next to Immacolata Catholic Parish – also designed by McMahon – the house harkens back to the midcentury modern era with art deco accents.
The 3,000-plus-square-foot, four-bedroom, 3½-bath brick residence was recently remodeled while retaining its original architectural elements, from its midcentury modern exterior to the art deco styling of the staircase design and moldings throughout its interior. Recent upscale updates include modern amenities, such as granite countertops, custom cabinets, dual sinks and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen and bathrooms, as well as new oak hardwood flooring throughout the home.
Stunning highlights include a main-level open floor plan – an innovative idea at the time it was built, with a stone fireplace and two enormous picture windows offering expansive views of the private wooded backyard. The lower level features an even larger expanse of windows that also overlook the 42,000-plus-square-foot property, as well as a retro kitchen, a wet bar, a full bath and an additional bedroom. Plus, the lower level opens out to a beautiful backyard patio with a fire pit. The second floor features three large bedrooms, including a luxurious master suite with a full bath, a vaulted ceiling, a walk-in closet and an office. “A wrought-iron arbor spans the driveway, and the upstairs windows have a row of topiary trees,” Wight notes. He adds that the home is within walking distance of a range of local amenities, including shops and restaurants at the Saint Louis Galleria and The Boulevard.
This piece of local architectural history (listed through Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty) serves as a prime example of McMahon’s impressive design talent and a fitting reminder of his lasting impact, both figuratively and literally, on the area’s landscape.
Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty, 314-607-5555, 12berkshire.com
Original article from Ladue News, Written by Brittany Nay. Photos by Tom Chlebowski.
Cool Mid-Century (MCM) Home in Ladue School District
QUICK FACTS: Address: 1109 Chantal, Olivette Price: $189,900 3 Bed, 2 Bath School: Ladue School District Lot Size: 0.332 Sq. Ft: 1,250 Pr/Sqft: $151.92 Listed by: Ted Wight, 314.607.5555, Ted@TedWight.com, Dielmann Sotheby’s International
Here is one of those charming, original owner ranch homes that rarely becomes available in the Ladue School District. Mid-century enthusiasts will love the vintage pink kitchen with the metal cabinets & original built-in stove and oven. The Living Room opens to the Dining Room and has a vaulted ceiling and large picture window. The two full baths are still in the fun 50’s style. There is original, untouched oak hardwood flooring under all of the carpeting. Retro lighting is still in place, including a sputnik chandelier.
TED WIGHT: #1 REALTOR IN THE LADUE SCHOOL DISTRICT*
Ted grew up and lives in Ladue. He started his real estate career 15 years ago and has consistently been a top ranked agent. Ted runs his business like a business- He trained at AT&T and obtained my MBA from Washington University.
WHY USE TED TO BUY AND SELL A HOME IN THE LADUE SCHOOL DISTRICT?
#1 Individual agent in Ladue proper
Sold the most listings (#1)
Had the most transactions (21)
Saves Buyers an average of 7% off list price
Average sale price of $923,550 (compared to market avg. of $568,069)
~$20M gross sales ($45M in overall St. Louis area)
CALL314.607.5555 EMAILTED@TEDWIGHT.COM
*The Ladue School District includes Ladue, Frontenac, Creve Coeur, Olivette and parts of Richmond Heights.
2016 was a banner year in the Ladue area* for luxury home sales.
Three of these fine homes were listed by Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty….making us the top listing office of the 10 fine homes. Two of the homes were my listings! I am expecting a banner 2017!
TOTAL VALUE: $28,474,381
TOTAL SQ.FT: 73,701 ( equivalent size of ~27 tennis courts)
12 Huntleigh Woods, Huntleigh
$3,975,000, 9,614 sq. ft., 2.008 acres, Listed by John Ryan, Coldwell Banker Ladue
6 Bridle Lane, Frontenac
$3,500,000, 7,404 sq. ft., 3 acres, Listed by Mary Beth Benes, Coldwell Banker Town & Country
6 Oakleigh Lane, Ladue
$3,250,000, 6,818 sq. ft., 2.1 acres, Listed by Ted Wight, Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
15 Huntleigh Woods, Huntleigh
$3,100,000, 7,229 sq. ft., 2.181 acres, Listed by Mary Gentsch, Coldwell Banker Gundaker Ladue
710 South Price, Ladue
$2,995,000, 6,361 sq. ft., 1.8 acres, Listed by Kim Carney, Coldwell Banker Premier
21 Somerset Downs, Ladue
$2,529,381, 8,399 Sq. ft., 3.08 acres, Listed by Judy Grand, Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
Photographs of a home on Somerset Downs Drive in Ladue, Missouri for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty agent Judy Grand.
4 Somerset Downs, Ladue
$2,445,000, 6,758 sq. ft., 3 acres, Listed by Ted Wight & Stephanie Oliver, Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
701 Haverford Rd, Ladue
$2,275,000, 7,603 sq. ft. 1.82 acres, Listed by John Ryan, Coldwell Banker Ladue
8 Huntleigh Woods, Huntleigh
$2,250,000, 7,142 sq. ft., 3.44 acres, Listed by Megan Rowe, Laura McCarthy Town and Country
This important contemporary home was built in 2005 by architect, Philip Durham, who was just named to the American Institute of Architects’ College of Fellows (which is a pretty big deal). The moment you walk in the front door you will be in awe of the barrel-vaulted ceiling, American beech flooring and an expanse of windows across the back of the home. The abundance of windows allows you to see your gorgeous private backyard, salt-water pool with fountains and Asian-inspired gardens.
The kitchen will delight the most discriminating chef as it features high-end appliances, granite counters and a butler’s pantry/office/bar. The main-floor master bedroom is stunning with views of the backyard, private deck, gas fireplace, automatic shades & large closet area. The Master bathroom has heated floors, dual vanities, black honed granite & Emperador marble tiles. The Lower Level also has floor to ceiling windows with polished concrete floors, a recreation room with gas fireplace, wet bar with wine refrigerator, 2 bedrooms & 1.5 baths. The 2-car garage features cool, glass doors.