7311 Bellona Avenue, Ruxton.
Hot House: Seventies Modern in the Heart of Ruxton. 5 Beds/6 Baths. 4,769 Square Feet. Asking price: $1,799,000.
What: When you think of houses in Ruxton, you don’t necessarily think of a 1970s modern house filled with angles, open spaces, loads of light, and even a turret! But tucked off Bellona Avenue, in the tiny development of Martin’s Choice, this house sits in the midst of old-growth trees.
As you arrive at the house via a private drive, you come to a short set of stone steps and a stone path leading to the board-and-batten house. You will notice the turret, containing a set of stairs, and the sharply angled roof of the two-car garage. You will also notice the subtle symmetry of the doors and windows and how each side of the house balances the other.
Entering through two huge doors, echoed by equally large windows, you will find a wide-open space with floating walls, one including a fireplace, behind which are shelves to hold your books or collections. The light is incredible, with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Several gathering areas look out to the flagstone patio and the woods behind. Leading into the kitchen, you will find granite counters, contemporary appliances and plenty of storage. Adjacent is a small formal dining room. There is also a den with a fireplace, and a laundry room with a laundry chute from the second floor.
As you move upstairs, a large hallway features huge windows that look to the front and back of the house. A primary suite with natural light from a third-level clear-story window and four large windows overlooks the pool on the right. A private bath, with tiled shower and soaking tub, and a walk-in closet complete the suite.
Three additional bedrooms, two with a Jack-and-Jill bath, and one with its own bath are along the hall on the second floor. The final bedroom, again with a private bath, is on the top level.
There is plenty of outdoor living space at this house. A covered patio is the perfect place for year-round grilling. A cedar deck off the main foyer can be used for dining and lounging. And a saltwater pool is perfect for those hot Baltimore summers. Completing the outdoor living is a community tennis court, shared between the five houses in Martin’s Choice.
Where: Nestled in the heart of Ruxton, this one-of-a-kind modernist house is located just minutes from the shops on Bellona Avenue, and a very short drive into Towson. Bellona Avenue connects to Charles Street several times for easy access to the Beltway or the JFX. It’s almost equidistant from Eddie’s and Graul’s, depending on your chicken salad preference.
Final Appraisal: This house, unusual for the usually staid Ruxton, is filled with light and space. It’s not fussy and formal, but warm and casual. The listing for the house is here.
All photographs from the listing.
