There’s nothing quite like traipsing through the swinging kitchen door and sock-sliding across terrazzo floors to the sliding glass back door. Where are we? In a mid-century modern house.
Whether you’re looking for a home that feels vintage or wanting to return to a style you grew up in, these mid-century modern masterpieces are on the market just for you.
What makes it mid-century modern?
The modernist style of the mid-20th century grew out of a desire to simplify the ornate elements of pre-World War architecture. Stemming from the German Bauhaus movement, modernism includes many micro-styles from International to Prairie style. American mid-century was heavily influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and includes structures built between 1945 to 1970.
The style is characterized by:
- Open floor plans and split levels
- Wooden accents like paneling and built-in cabinets and shelves
- Indoor-outdoor living spaces
- Clean lines and low-profile designs
- Thin, metal windows and sliding glass doors
- Wide, over-hanging eaves
Fort Worth’s most famous mid-century masterpieces include the 1970 Bass Residence in Westover Hills that was architect Paul Rudolph’s largest design and the 1953 Fuller House in Ridglea Hills designed by Hollywood’s “architect to the stars” A. Quincy Jones.
Love it? Live it
If you’re looking for your next home, take a virtual tour of these retro homes currently that will never go out of style. Note: These homes are on the market as of Friday, July 28.
The house on Smilax Avenue has a large back deck that looks out over the neighborhood.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Franke/Berkshire Hathaway
1504 Smilax Ave., Oakhurst | 4 BD, 4 BA
Completed in 1949, the 4,000-sqft home features a central brick and wooden fireplace along with original built-ins. Plus, the house has a secret escape route from the basement.
3720 Autumn Dr., Westcliff | 6 BD, 5 BA
Known as the Brachman house, this home was constructed in 1957 by local architect Larry Morton Gernsbacher, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West school. The open-plan house features deep roof overhangs, floor-to-ceiling windows, and sand-colored stacked stone.
The open concept house on Ryan Avenue is less that three miles from TCU, the Medical District, and Magnolia Avenue.
Image courtesy of Redonna Dunlap/JPAR Fort Worth
2921 Ryan Ave., Ryan Place | 3 BD, 2 BA
Built in 1950, the bungalow has an oversized front porch and a wall of windows that looks out over the shaded back deck.
7812 Skylake Dr., Eagle Mountain Lake | 4 BD, 4 BA
An interior balcony runs the length of the living space in the lakeside home. Plus, the waterfront property has a new boat dock.
5421 Benbridge Dr., Northcrest | 4 BD, 4 BA
Just blocks from Camp Bowie Boulevard, the 1977 brick home features a gabled front entrance with large square columns and a teak-colored fireplace wall.
The sunroom brings light deep into the townhome on Pershing Aveune.
Photo courtesy of Walker Turney/Williams Trew Real Estate
5719 Pershing Ave., Arlington Heights | 3 BD, 3 BA
This mid-century modern-style townhome features original wood floors, a private balcony, and a glass sunroom just steps away from bustling Camp Bowie Blvd.
60 Springs Rd., Westover Hills | 4 BD, 4 BA
The sprawling stucco house was completed in 1951 and is arranged around a linear living room with a wall of windows that looks out to a manicured lawn. The split-level home also has a fully updated kitchen.
2004 Taxco Rd., Ridgmar | 4 BD, 2.5 BA
The 1961 split-level house has been renovated from top to bottom and features a new kitchen with white shaker cabinets, large living room, and massive back yard.
The house on Geddes Avenue is just off I-30 and Hulen Street.
Photo courtesy of Rocio Villavicencio/Rendon Realty
4516 Geddes Ave., Arlington Heights | 3 BD, 2 BA
The updated home was built in 1968 with a split-roof, detached garage, a two-toned facade + features an updated kitchen.
1616 Wilson Rd., Meadowbrook | 3 BD, 2 BA
Located one block away from the Meadowbrook Golf Course, the 1966 home features a massive brick fireplace and shaded side porch.
