A midcentury modern home designed by a founder of the Sarasota School of Architecture is on the market for $2,150,000.

Ralph Twitchell designed the Sarasota, FL, home in 1954. Considered a catalyst of modernist design in the coastal city, he was part of a group of architects who built with materials such as reinforced concrete and glass.

“It’s a true midcentury modern design,” says listing agent Spencer Robinson, with Preferred Shore. “It’s two pavilions straddling over an open courtyard space with a pool. It has floor-to-ceiling [glass] walls for an indoor-outdoor vibe and entertainment. It’s just fantastic everywhere you look. It’s just a piece of art, really.”

‘I was in awe’

The 1,882-square-foot home makes quite an impression.

“When I went and visited, I was blown away,” Robinson says, recalling his first impression of the place. “I was honestly shocked. As soon as I saw it, I was just in awe. It’s gorgeous.”

The current owners are in the building industry and made some modifications to the original design, adding a laundry room along with a closet and bathroom for the primary bedroom.

“He wanted to keep true to the nature of the architect,” Robinson says of the owner. “All of it looks like it was part of the original design.”

The home encompasses three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and the living areas have exposed beams and vaulted ceilings. Despite the updates, the original elements still shine.

“If you just gaze at a certain section, like any wall or wherever you look, it looks like it could be a picture in a magazine,” Robinson says.

The sellers have used the home as their primary residence since 2010. Now, they’re ready to hand it off to someone else, preferably an architecture fan. Robinson says they’re hoping for a buyer who will respect the home’s midcentury modern design and preserve Twitchell’s vision.

Income potential

Robinson notes that the property comes with income options, too.

“You could make a really good return on it, if you wanted to rent it out,” he says. “It’s been kept in phenomenal condition, so it’s pretty much turnkey.”

Short-term rentals are allowed in the neighborhood.

“The aesthetic of midcentury modern and anything that has a certain design characteristic, a trait, or a theme, really does well in short-term rentals,” Robinson explains. “So this midcentury modern on Siesta Key would have a really good return as a short-term rental.”

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