A thoughtfully preserved midcentury modern home originally designed by architect John Fowler in Weston, CT, is for sale for $1.35 million.

It’s the first time the home is on the open market, the listing notes.

The AIA award-winning dwelling known as the Wasserman House was built in 1964 on 2 wooded acres. It comes with 300 feet of frontage along the Saugatuck River.

Homeowner Jim Gricar is co-listing the property with his business partner, Kristi Law, both with Best Life Team.

‘Restoration, not renovation’

“When I bought it back in 1999, it had been in the original Wasserman family since it was commissioned, and [it] needed a lot of love,” Gricar says.

“The walls needed to be sanded and restained. Kitchen cabinets had to be stripped and restored. The tubs needed to be reglazed,” he says. “It was all of the things that you need to do to an existing home that wasn’t in great shape. I did most of the work myself.

“I always refer to the work as a restoration, not renovation,” he adds. “It is now in what I would call preserved original condition.”

The 2,263-square-foot, multilevel interior boasts a double living room separated by a sunken fireplace with a “conversation pit.” The kitchen was updated with high-end appliances.

There are also wood-paneled walls, built-in shelves, a floating wood staircase, and floor-to-ceiling walls of windows.

Weekend retreat

“I had always dreamed of having a midcentury home,” Gricar says. “It ended up being a weekend place for me when I lived in the city. It is beautifully suited as a weekend retreat, which it was for 15 years. But now I live here full time. It could be used as either a primary or secondary residence, as both have been for me.”

The listing describes the style as “brutalist in form, yet warm and embracing in its use of materials.”

“I sort of fell into this home in a private sale from the Wassermans,” Gricar recalls. “When I saw the conversation pit, I fell in love with it. That’s really the heart of the home.”

Gricar made a few additions.

“In 2005, I added a pool, patio, and cabana,” he says. “I tried to keep with the midcentury context, so it would look as if they had always been there. I sourced the same stone on the patio that is used on the chimney. The pool is white, so it has that Palm Springs feel to it as well.”

The primary bedroom has direct access to a terrace that overlooks the private backyard.

Two bathrooms were restored. One features oversized white tiles and a pedestal sink, while the other has more earthy tones.

The property comes with a three-level barn.

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