Securing the winning bid for a home is an exciting feat for any homebuyer in this crazy year of low inventory and high competition… but some wins are more exciting than others. My clients were thrilled to be able to call this Paul Enghauser designed home in Golden Valley their own. It is one of those rare time capsules where little has been changed since it was built in 1957… largely because the sellers had owned it since 1963 and had meticulously maintained it.
I love the distinctive MCM front door color and doorknob plate, the flocked wallpaper in the entry (buyers say they are keeping it), the striking wood ceiling and massive central fireplace of low profile stone. But it doesn’t end there.
The kitchen is largely untouched, with such a smooth finish on the cabinets they almost look and feel like metal, which was popular mid-century. A divider with circular bottle glass design separates the dining room from the kitchen. The sellers left behind the ceramic fish in the bathroom which made the buyer smile, and although they made some changes in the bathroom, the pink tile and angled vanity are still in place.
This home was built in 1957, just west of Highway 100, part of his last development using the ‘last big piece of land’ referred to in the Minneapolis Star article above from 1960. Nobody has likely had as much influence on the residential development of Golden Valley as Paul Enghauser, who served on the planning commission for 15 years and initiated building requirements such as 100-foot lots, 35-foot setbacks and 30 feet between homes. He even advocated for 40- and 50-year mortgages so homes would be more affordable for young families. That never came to be, but an interesting concept.
The article above says he designed and built some 600 homes in Golden Valley, most on the east side of Highway 100 known as Tyrol Hills… which also includes homes designed by such notable mid-century-modern architects as Ralph Rapson, Carl Graffunder and Close Associates.
His first project was South Tyrol Hills, which he started developing in 1934. Other developers had avoided it because of the rolling hills… which today are among its most revered features. He helped plan the winding streets throughout Tyrol Hills.
Most of Tyrol Hills was built in the period 1940-1970, and it is one of the richest neighborhoods for mid-century moderns. Love just driving around and exploring neighborhoods?
- Check out Searching for Mid-Century Moderns… Golden Valley is a treasure trove
- Check out Golden Valley posts for more about this outstanding first-ring suburb
- Search Golden Valley homes for sale to see what is currently available for sale
Looking for Mid-Century-Moderns? Let us know and we can search specifically for you and let you know when something comes on the market… they sell quickly!
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