William Morgan masterpieces available in Atlantic Beach

William Morgan, a Harvard-trained architect who studied under Walter Gropius, has practiced in Jacksonville since 1961. If you've ever walked along the beach in Atlantic Beach you've no doubt noticed his Dune House.



The oceanfront Dune House is currently on the market listed at $1,800,000. This unique property is truly stunning. The pictures say it all...




William Morgan's Dune House was built in 1975 and would be a treasure to own for an architecture aficionado. William Morgan Architects continues designing innovative spaces to this day, such as this 2008 American Institute of Architects award-winner, also in Atlantic Beach: 
This modern showplace, one block from the Atlantic Ocean, is currently on the market for $1,150,000. Built in 2001, this 4 bedroom / 3 bathroom home is supremely livable, making excellent use of outdoor spaces.




Looking at these photos you can almost feel the ocean breezes. And the interiors are stunning as well... 




For more information on these two homes:

William Morgan's 77 19th St Atlantic Beach

William Morgan's Dune House Atlantic Beach

And, as always, if you have any questions about real estate in Jacksonville — from modern masterpieces to short sales, from Atlantic Beach to Avondale (and anywhere in between) — contact me, Josh Nugent. (Link takes you to a form with email and phone contact information.)

Modern Architectural Availabilities in Atlantic Beach

In the Jacksonville area many of the homes built in modern architectural styles are to be found at the beaches. Check out the roof-line of the home pictured above, a 3 bedroom / 2½ bath oceanfront on Beach Avenue in Atlantic Beach. Currently on the market at $1,700,000. For more information on this or any other home in Northeast Florida, please contact me, Josh Nugent.


Next time... 2 amazing homes by William Morgan!

Ponte Vedra oceanfront home a Clyde Harris?

Earlier this week I remembered Clyde Harris, the "dean of Jacksonville residential architects," (in the words of fellow architect Richard Skinner) who passed away January 17.

I have compiled a list of currently available homes in modern architectural styles. 

The first I'd like to share with you is 347 Ponte Vedra Blvd, currently on the market for $2,700,000 . This home may in fact be a Clyde Harris design. The vintage is right and the home is quite similar to the one which I reminisced about in my earlier post.

The interior-courtyard pool is especially comparable to the one in the Clyde Harris-designed home where I spent so many happy days in childhood.

These homes have a great inherent charm and a purposeful design. They are not everyone's taste, however, and many buyers today tear them down to replace them with larger, more typical designs. For the right buyer who appreciates one and knows how to renovate it, these mid-century homes can be stunning show-pieces.

Clyde Harris, R.I.P.

I just learned that architect Clyde Harris died recently at age 99. The Times-Union has a wonderful article including a quote by Richard Skinner in which he calls Harris "the dean of Jacksonville residential architects." His full obituary is also online.

I most associate Harris with the residential style embodied by a Ponte Vedra oceanfront home owned by the uncle of a close childhood friend. I had many good times there. The home was like a modern Florida villa — comfortable but no larger than necessary, the rooms laid out around a central semi-enclosed courtyard with a pool. The roof sloped gently to a high peak which allowed air circulation in the pool room and a high wall of windows overlooking the ocean. It was truly creative and pleasing. (It has since been renovated beyond recognition, sadly.)

My family spoke of a Clyde Harris style, typified by that home and his Roosevelt Blvd office. To me, his work was a bit of a cross between Mid-Century Modern and the International style.

The funny thing is, it has now occurred to me that Clyde Harris was proficient in a multitude of architectural styles. From the traditional — like the garage apartment addition for a childhood neighbor on Ortega Point or Timuquana Country Club — to the modern styles I described above. I suppose his work that I found more striking was the modern style because it was so different from the ordinary.

I think that I will go through current listings and pull out the more modern architectural homes on the market. Look for that this weekend!