Take a rare tour of the Margaret Esherick and Vanna Venturi houses

For the first time ever, the owners of the Margaret Esherick House and Vanna Venturi House in Chestnut Hill will open their doors in tandem for a special wine-and-dine open house.

Although the homes have been open for tours in the past, this will be the first time they will be toured together. The September 23 event, hosted by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, is unique in that it will include house tours as well as a silent auction, entertainment, and food and drinks at both homes.

The homes are arguably two of the most prominent and architecturally significant works in the neighborhood and Philly in general—and they both have two relatively new owners.

The tour starts at 6 p.m. the Vanna Venturi house, which was designed by Robert Venturi for his mother in the late 1950s. It went on to become one of the most iconic postmodern homes in the U.S., and was recently purchased by Philly resident David Lockard and added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Here, champagne and food will be served along with the hour-long house tour.

The tour then moves on to the Margaret Esherick House, which is one of Louis Kahn’s most memorable residences (he only designed nine in total). The one bedroom-abode was purchased and painstakingly restored by the current owners Dan Macey and Paul Savidge. Here, the night will end at 9 p.m. after cocktails, entertainment, and a silent auction.

Want in? Tickets cost $350 for Preservation Alliance members and $500 for non-members.

• The Vanna Venturi House by Robert Venturi and the Margaret Esherick House Louis Kahn [Preservation Alliance]