Another One Bites The Dust

I was saddened to read Dave Weinstein’s most recent Eichler Network blog detailing the loss of an amazing, one of a kind home in Atherton CA.  Dubbed “the house with a floating roof” by the San Francisco Chronicle, the Atherton home was designed for developer Elmer Gavello by two of Joseph Eichler’s favorite architects, Bob Anshen and Steve Allen.

Built in 1957, the Gavello house had a unique star shaped roof, sleek lines, high ceilings, and lots of glass giving the home a spacious open feeling – in the best tradition of the Mid-Century California Modern style.  Apparently homeowners today find that the Mid-Century design doesn’t meet their modern needs, and the sale of the Gavello house proves the old real estate axiom, location – location - location.  The home was purchased as a teardown for $14.75 M.

While I am sorry to see so many of our Mid-Century architectural works are falling by the wayside, I am encouraged when I read of successful attempts at preservation.  There are many groups dedicated to keeping Mid-Century Modernism alive.  While it may be too late to save the Gavello house, it isn’t too late to sit up and take notice about what is going on in our own neighborhoods.

Photo from Eichler Network Article Melting the Mystique