Paul Rudolph-Designed Biggs Residence Is a Piece of Architectural History for Just $1.39M

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The Biggs residence at 212 Seabreeze Dr. is one of a few stunning Florida homes designed by architect Paul Rudolph during his Sarasota School of Architecture period.

Listed for $1.8 million last year, it’s now being offered for $1.4 million. Originally completed in 1956, the two-bedroom “laconic battleship-grey steel structure” offered an “austere, symmetrical facade to the street, creating an aggressive, acontextual relationship to the site,” according to author Christopher Domin in “Paul Rudolph: The Florida Houses.”

In less grandiose terms, the home was originally conceived as a big box on stilts.

“The old part of the house is in its original state, with exposed steel beams and perfectly fitted marine-grade wood planks,” says listing agent Linda Lake.

A sketch of the original part of the house

themodernistangle.com

Since its completion, two additions have been made to the home, bringing the total space up to five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and 4,327 square feet.

The first addition was commissioned by Sewell C. Biggs himself, according to Lake, when he realized he needed more space. While the planning for the addition was done by Rudolph, the actual drafting was completed by architect Bob Currie, a friend of Rudolph’s.

By the ocean but in the trees

The Fite Group

The addition required the house to be raised, and the structure is now a FEMA-approved seven-and-a-half feet off the ground, meaning the home qualifies for flood insurance.

The second addition was done by local designer Virginia Courtenay when she lived in the home. “The home was being historically designated at the time,” explains Lake, and Courtenay understood any addition not created by Rudolph would have to look “completely different from what Rudolph designed.”

The resulting tower has a master bedroom and bath, guest bed (or office) and bath, and elevator access.

“It’s interesting because the three [people who worked on the home] were all friends with each other, but from three different generations,” says Lake.

The Biggs residence today

The Fite Group

The home is just a few blocks from the ocean, yet looks out onto the verdant trees. “We understand that Mr. Biggs just loved feeling like he was living in the treetops,” says Lake. While the house is in pretty good shape, it does need a bit of modernization. “It’s a cool place; it’s just a big project,” says Lake.

Some of the exterior needs to be replaced, and the original galley kitchen doesn’t jibe with modern tastes.

“It barely has a freezer, and there’s a tiny refrigerator. One of the drawers won’t open because it can’t get past an appliance,” Lake says with a laugh. Still, she says, the place has huge potential.

“It’s on the market for $1.4 million but could easily go for $3.4 million if someone were to come in and do a really fabulous job on the inside and make the space work better,” she says.

“There are a lot of Paul Rudolph fans out there,” she says, and for the right preservationist, the house is a dream purchase.

If you’re looking to buy a piece of modern architecture history for the price of a suburban McMansion, hop a flight to Delray Beach before the Biggs residence is gone.

The post Paul Rudolph-Designed Biggs Residence Is a Piece of Architectural History for Just $1.39M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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