Hot House: 5739 Greenspring Avenue, Mt. Washington, Baltimore, MD 21209
Mid-century modern house in stucco and brick, circa 1948, with recent metal and membrane roof. Recent high-end renovation with all new windows. About 3,596 sq. ft. over two levels, with five bedrooms, four baths. Open floor plan with nine-foot ceilings, plaster walls. Entrance foyer, sunken living room with gas fireplace, glass wall with hilltop views, dining room, den, first-floor ensuite bedroom with study. Eat-in kitchen with new appliances, granite counters, separate storage room. Hardwood floors throughout. Curved staircase to second-floor den, master bedroom with solarium and built-ins and two further bedrooms. All new, modern baths. Central AC. One-acre property, professionally landscaped, with stone patio and outdoor fireplace. $679,500.
Open House: Wednesday, December 14th, 12-2pm
What: Baltimore is not rich in mid-century modern homes, so when a good one goes on the market these days, it goes fast. Designed by the architect Jack Davidson, who built many of the houses in Mt. Washington’s “Pill Hill” neighborhood, this one has been taken in hand by two interior designers, and the result is pretty spectacular. Set at the top of a hill and beautifully landscaped, the house is not visible from the road. A driveway winds up to a big stone patio with a stone fireplace for outdoor entertaining. A glass wall at the front faces west and gets sunset views.
Inside, one glamorous room leads to the next, a staircase curves sexily up the stairs, and it’s impossible not to think of Hollywood in these sleek, deco-ish details and theatrical flair. The kitchen has an unusual, yet completely practical storage tunnel with long custom shelves that can hold any amount of kitchen gear that’s not quite display-caliber, as well as a second fridge. Bathrooms are well-done without being sybaritic — the master bath has a big glass shower, while another bathroom has an expensive European sink. One has been modernized, leaving the original pink tiles intact — a cheeky touch. The master bedroom has a glassed-in solarium which looks like a great place to spend a lazy morning.
Where: Greenspring Avenue, about a mile off of Northern Parkway, at the corner of Crest Road. Minutes away is the village of Mt. Washington, which has a little grocery store, the Clayworks, and some fun shops as well as the Mt. Washington Tavern. There’s a Light Rail stop in Mt. Washington, a Whole Foods across the bridge, and I-83 is just a mile or so down Northern Parkway, about 20 minutes from downtown. Mt. Washington Elementary gets good ratings.
Would Suit: Tony Bennett.
Why: Something special.
Why Not: The brick house next door at the top of the drive is a little too close, though some big bushes could hide it.
NB: There are seven beautiful beech trees on the property that form a green canopy in summer.
