A visit to Tuscaloosa, my encounter with green vandals, and things I love.

We were in T-town this weekend for the newest grandbaby's christening (welcome, Metyl!) and I did a double take as we drove past this place on the way to a relative's home. MCM, but with reference to the earlier Streamline Moderne style. Probably stucco over concrete block. A family member tells me that it was originally built for a college professor and sports terrazo flooring throughout. It comes up for sale regularly, then doesn't sell, so is leased out again for the school year. It's occupied now so I didn't get too close. Nifty place.





And just because I thought you would enjoy it, something I came across on a trip to the post office a few weeks ago . . .



It's not every day that we in small-town Alabama see school buses in anything but an upright position. And what are those bins across the parking lot?



Why, those are bins for plastics, glass, etc., because . . .



This is the town recycling center. If only all thugs and vandals could be this environmentally conscious.

And here are a few things I love. Just because.

My Sunbeam toaster, a wedding gift to Mom and Dad in 1960. Makes the best damn toast in three counties:



An awesome Chris Craft runabout, ca. 1958. It was for sale at a nearby dealer last summer:



My dad's 1949 Ryan Navion. 'nuff said:



Oh, the Navion is for sale. Let me know if you're interested.

Another interesting find (satellite image style)

I should be troubleshooting the lighting issues on the Christmas tree, but instead I sit here perusing the greater Birmingham area via satellite images. Man, I love these satellites. As you probably know, or as you have probably seen from prior posts on this blog, MCM architecture in Birmingham is largely hidden from view. It is primarily custom, architect-designed, and built by folks who can afford to sequester themselves among the creatures of the wild. So driving around with a camera only gets you part of the picture. The progeny of Sputnik gets you the rest.

You may not even know Cahaba River Estates exists. But now that you do, you'll realize what a rare gem it is. Turn between Carmax and Wal-Mart on 150 in Hoover and start driving around. These folks have acreage, horses, and many of them are on the Cahaba. Some of it is Jefferson County, some is Shelby County, all is unincorporated. Yes, there are some McMansions back there, but there are some swell mid-century places as well (though of a more traditional bent). Then there is this place:




Honestly, I'm not sure what to make of it. The part of the structure to the rear almost looks like an older, traditional home. But the portion facing toward the river has a definite modern vibe. There are the clerestory windows. And then the three descending tiers of . . . of something I can't really identify.



But it's pretty interesting. Some wandering around on the interwebs tells me that the owner participates in Mustang racing, which probably explains all the parking and what might be a huge garage toward the rear.



Does anybody have the scoop? I'll bet they throw a heck of a party!

Another Mid-Century Mystery -- what is this place?

OK, you people are letting me down. Don't sit there all lazy in your Eames Lounge chairs and make me do all the work. I begged for your assistance in getting the scoop on a mystery residence once before. This was the place:



No help.

Not a peep.

I learned the Cathay cathedral on Drummond Lake was indeed in the Drummond family, but NONE of you have managed to wrangle me an invite. Here's your chance to redeem yourselves. You've seen the gate to this place on Old Leeds road, just across from Regency East Drive. I know you've seen it. I know you've wondered about it.



The gate itself is sort of Roy-Rogers-meets-The-Last-Samurai. So you know something interesting has to lurk beyond. Indeed it does. I just have no idea what it is. Did you know there is a lake down there? Osborn Lake? And this . . . structure. I hesitate to call it a house, because it looks more like a World's Fair pavillion, or perhaps an Air Force Officer's Club. But the parking is limited, so I don't think it is intended for heavy use. Oh, and there is a swimming pool, a wooded statuary garden of some kind, and a decagonal (surely that is a word) barn.



Seriously, what is the deal? Is this some private club for those Eyes Wide Shut parties? Perhaps a hush-hush rehab retreat for the rich and tortured? Just a DIY remodel that got seriously out of hand?



Tax records show that the owner is one Mr. Osborn. (I'm sensing a pattern here with the lakes bearing the same names as the property owners -- I'm insightful that way). Mr. Osborn apears to be a real estate developer, and there is some reference to a private club. So somebody sponsor me, already. I feel like having a cocktail and maybe taking a paddleboat out for a spin.

Fritz Woehle Residence

Most may know him as the proprietor of The Garage Cafe (and bar and architectural fragment repository) in the Highland Park/Five Points area. Others may know him as the namesake of a fried lobster dish on the menu of the fabulous Fish Market. But Fritz Woehle is also an architect who built some wonderful modern homes in the 1950s and 1960s. I happened across some images of Woehle's own residence (an Architectural Record "Record House" in 1964) and thought I would share them with you all.

I have to confess that I have no idea where this house is, but I understand that it is nestled snugly on 20 secluded acres. So, even if I knew where it was, I wouldn't be able to see it. I think sometimes it is better not knowing.

UPDATE: The house is on Old Brook Trail, which is off of Pump House Road in the Altadena area. But it is in the center of the large wooded lot, so may not be visible anyway. Of note, one could hike from the Woehle house through the woods to the equally groovy Ireland House on Pump House road.

Woehle's home is lovely. Photographs are attributed to Alexandre Georges. Enjoy.















Your bonus for ordering today: The Ireland House, ca. 1965, also a Woehle design, in all its crisp colonnaded coolness:

Mid Century Mishap!

This is the kind of thing that happens to you when you're preparing for an Atomic Crash Party. The house is clean, the beer and wine are bought, and then . . . CRASH!



I may use this as an excuse to never again mow the lawn. Clearly, I am not qualified. It may be part of some grand biennial plan, as the same thing happened to the Mister back in 2008. he got the one on the end. So, by 2014, we'll have new 49" x 78" windows across the entire north side of the house. Just another day at the ranch. People in glass houses, and all.

But, if you're still in the mood for something with windows, try this one. This is a Henry Sprott Long home in Mountain Brook. And, surprisingly for the zip code, it hasn't had a groovectomy. $548,000 might be a bit high in this market, but it is 5/3 on a fairly private lot.

http://tinyurl.com/3114-Overbrook





Go forth and populate!

Meet Kermit . . .

. . . the newest addition to the family and the Mister's pride and joy. Not necessarily mid-century, as 1972 is about as mid-century as, well, as 1928. But the design for the Karmann Ghia originated in 1953, so I am officially bootstrapping Kermit into the era.



He sports his original Willow Green paint and that VW anomaly, the automatic stickshift.



I have been shocked to learn that there are apparently many folks out there (all under age 30) who have never seen a Ghia before. So it is our task to inform the world of the magnificence of the Ghia.



We are now a VW tight family. I don't know if that makes us incredibly hip or tragically unrealistic (I think the parts are made by union elves in a secret fortress deep in the Black Forest). But for now, gerne auto!

(Happy motoring!)

Atomic Crash Party was a Blast!

Nevermind the plate glass window that I shattered the day before with some apparently overly aggressive mowing -- the gathering was great! A special thank you to all of you folks who made the trek out to the woods to join in the fun and frivolity. Crestwood, Eastwood, Crestline, Forest Park and Calera were all represented, and these intrepid early adopters have been knighted and assigned the quest to go forward and spread the word of Magic City Modern.

Until then, a bit of what you missed!














Unfortunately, John Fuller wasn't feeling well and was unable to make the gathering. But we're going to try to work something out after the first of the year where we can bring the party to him. There is also murmuring about a possible spring spectacular shindig complete with a swing band at an undisclosed fab MCM location in town. Keep your transistor radios tuned right here for more details.

Atomic Crash Party this Saturday! Oh, and MCM homes are on sale, people!!!

Don't forget the Atomic Crash Party this Saturday! Open house, 1-5, at my pad in Montevallo (20 minutes from the Galleria). Hit the Facebook Page and RSVP and let me know if you can make it.



http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=124292180938438&v=app_2344061033

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The current economic cycle is the pits if you want to sell, but if you want to buy . . . well, the Magic City is your oyster. I have featured some of these homes before, but they are still on the market, some with price reductions, and some actually in short sale position. It is time to leap, mod babies.

If I had a couple hundred grand burning a hole in my pocket, I would move to this one tomorrow. It's in Mountain Brook and is now a short sale with a suggested price of $434,900, so start working on your offer. Original flooring, built-ins, and a newer Cantley kitchen that was done right.

http://tinyurl.com/3325-Springhill




Another short sale, this one in Vestavia on the golf course. It has a sort of odd addition, but the main house remains very original, with loads of swank. You buy this place and the next Atomic Crash Party is at your house -- guaranteed. Short sale suggested price: $435,999 (was originally listed around 750K, I think). Again, get your offers ready:

http://tinyurl.com/320-Beaumont




Another short sale in Vestavia. 170K is the suggested offer. It looks like there have been some dis-improvements of the big-box variety, but you can fix those. I have driven up to this one and it is on a dead-end street on a fairly private lot. A must see. Really. How do you say no to that fireplace?

http://tinyurl.com/2500-Glendmere





This is one I really need someone to buy. It has been on the market a while now with no price reduction, but it feels like a flip, so I'm guessing that the sellers will be negotiable. Perfect Homewood location, but a big lot and some privacy! Huge rooms, long and lean -- get in there and strip out the big box mistakes and do it up right. $328,000.

http://tinyurl.com/1621-Dobbs-Lane




Now, for some newer listings:

Mountain Brook, $399,900. Built in 1968 and may be the original owner. Definitely worth a look:

http://tinyurl.com/3050-Westmoreland


Vestavia, A-frame, wooded lot, $549,900.

http://tinyurl.com/2201-Gay-Way




Homewood, $399,900, lots of possibilities:

http://tinyurl.com/907-Saulter-Road




Now, a couple in Anniston. Where? Yes, Anniston. At some point in the 1950s, folks with money built some great pads on this road. The first one is a new listing, 5/3+, huge, clean, dramatic view, super original, $299,500.

http://tinyurl.com/539-Hillyer-High-Road




This one is right down the road from the first one. Bigger, and it's been on the market for some time, now with a price reduction to $449,000. Still seems a bit high to me, but this is a LOT of house. I'm thinking it may be empty now -- perhaps an estate -- because the photos in the MLS look to me like they were taken a couple decades ago. Or maybe they moved in in 1959 and never shifted a piece of furniture?

http://tinyurl.com/527-Hillyer-High