A futuristic Googie-style architecture home built in 1962 is available for $2,395,000 in Paradise Valley, AZ. The two-bedroom, 2.5-bath house was designed by architect George Hall and is an example of space-age, mid-century modern architecture. The property is being sold as is and needs a total makeover, but permits and plans for a renovation that will expand the home to 4,853 square feet are included with the sale. The seller, an architect and the third person to own the home, bought the property for $1,868,000 in 2022 with the intention to complete the project but ended up moving into another property.
As mentioned in a news article on realtor.com, a remarkable specimen of futuristic architecture is available for $2,395,000 in Paradise Valley, AZ. Built in 1962, this two-bedroom, 2.5-bath dwelling is an example of space-age, Googie architecture, which first emerged in Southern California.
The home was designed in 1959 by architect George Hall and is set on an elevated, scenic, .81-acre lot within the Phoenix Mountain Reserve. “There was a coffee shop in Los Angeles, designed by John Lautner, called Googie,” explains Jordan Cohen, who is representing the listing with North&Co. “That’s where the term came from. It was the most futuristic version of midcentury modern architecture.”
However, there’s a catch to owning this unique property. It is being sold as is and needs a total makeover. The 2,516-square-foot property is being sold as is, but included with the sale are permits and plans for a renovation that will expand the home to 4,853 square feet. These were created by architect W. Brent Armstrong, with ISOS Architecture.
Much like futuristic architecture itself, the project will take some vision. But the result could be a real showstopper. “Whoever takes this on, they [will] really want to do it right,” Cohen says. “It could be in a magazine.”
The seller, who is an architect and the third person to own the home, snapped up the place in 2022 for $1,868,000. “Her intention was to complete this project and live in it, but she ended up completing another project and moving into that,” says Cohen. “She’s pretty sad about giving up on this one.”
Features of the property include a carport with a slightly vaulted roof, and—above the house—a cantilevered roof; walls of windows; a floor-to-ceiling, stacked-stone fireplace; and an octagonal living room. “The condition is currently a shell of a house,” Cohen says. “It’s completely demoed on the inside, down to the studs. When my buyer took over, she basically started from scratch. She engaged with a new architect: His bread and butter are midcentury historic and eclectic properties. He seems like a very fitting choice to bring this property back to life.”
So, just how much would it cost to fix up the place? “My seller’s architect has made some preliminary assumptions that it would be in the $1.5 million to $2 million range to complete,” Cohen says.
If you have a love for unique architecture and a vision for what this property could become, this Googie-style home in Paradise Valley, AZ, could be the perfect fixer-upper project for you.
