1676 Virginia Avenue S

Description

Designed by renowned Minnesota architect Leonard Parker, this exceptional residence captures the essence of authentic mid-century modernism through dramatic scale, natural light, warm materials and a thoughtful connection between architecture and landscape. The main-level family room is the architectural centerpiece, soaring beneath a 17-foot ceiling and anchored by a striking wood-burning fireplace detailed in brick and copper. Spectacular windows throughout the space flood the interiors with sunlight, while terrazzo flooring flows through the living room, dining room and kitchen, beautifully complementing the home's original modernist character. The main level also features a formal living room and mudroom/laundry adjacent to the kitchen with its own exterior doorway. Four bedrooms are located upstairs, including the primary suite and two smaller decks. The lower level offers a family room with wet bar plus a rare original bomb shelter, an intriguing piece of mid-century history with potential for exceptional wine storage. Outside, approximately 1,000 square feet of paver patio extends the living spaces onto the beautiful corner lot with two driveways: a formal "horseshoe" entrance driveway and a large rear driveway for parking and a hard to find three-car garage. Just one block to the trails and natural beauty of nearby Westwood Hills Nature Center, a 160-acre preserve featuring wooded paths, wetlands, prairie, and scenic Westwood Lake. For those who appreciate the enduring principles of modernist architecture, this Leonard Parker residence is a truly special opportunity to own a piece of Minnesota architectural history.