Here's a little bit of a diamond in the ruff, although it may be (more than just a little) rough around the edges: The "Clever House," one of only nine private houses designed by architect Louis Kahn, is on the market for $289,900. Brace yourselves, before you scroll through the photos below: this is no Esherick House. By a looooooong shot. It needs more than TLC; it needs a grand gesture, a heavy hand, and several deep pockets.
The house was designed in 1957 for Fred E. and Elaine Cox Clever, who commissioned the starchitect to build the Cherry Hill, New Jersey abode for them after seeing his influential "Trenton Bath House." The three-bedroom, two-bath home sits on .62 acres, and has been virtually inaccessible for over a decade, although it rests on land, preservationists fear, that may be just as valuable without the experimental "Clever House" atop it. Built during a period in which Kahn was interested in structures based on triangular geometries, the central element of the home is its large living room, which features an 18-foot ceilingcomposed of four large angular gables, each fitted with a large triangular window. This living area is surrounded by five smaller rooms, each with its own pyramidal roof.
Per the listing: "The home and gardens can easily be restored to their original grandeur. For those who admire architecture this home is a delight. Property is being sold in "As-Is" condition."
· Louis Kahn's Esherick house just sold for 900K [Curbed Philly]
· The houses that Kahn built [The Penn Gazette]
· 417 Sherry Way, Cherry Hill, NJ [Redfin]
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