Quirky Queen Village home for sale features bright primary colors, glass bricks, and abstract art vibes
Inspired by the work of Piet Mondrian, the Fitzwater Street home has seen interest from dozens of potential buyers since hitting the market last week.
An unmistakable Queen Village corner house adorned with red, yellow, and blue tile is listed for sale for $599,000.
The three-bed, two-bath home at 514 Fitzwater St. is about 2,000 square feet and features royal blue door casing, a one-of-a-kind red staircase, and a blue and white fireplace.
The exterior is easily recognizable, the sides of the house converging to a point at the intersection of South Randolph and Fitzwater Streets, with clusters of colorful tiles along the facade and a geometric-style clock tower affixed to the top of the home.
Farrah Segal, the home’s listing agent, said that, in her 21 years in the profession, she’s never seen a property get this much attention so quickly. Over the past five days, it’s had about 48 showings, she said.
“People literally watch this house. They got so excited when the sign went up,” Segal said.
Most of the viewers love it for the Mondrian design, named for Piet Mondrian, the Dutch abstract artist who popularized the geometric, primary-color aesthetic. The home’s spacious dining and living areas are also a draw, Segal said.
“Most of the people we have going in there are people that know the house and really love it for what it is,” she said.
Based on conversations with several interested buyers over the past few days, Segal said she doesn’t anticipate the future owner will alter the aesthetic much.
The property, built around 1920, was at one point a deli, Segal said. It was then turned into a residential property by architect David Beitman.
Maxine and Michael Kam, a former elementary-school teacher and an accountant turned rare books and art dealer, respectively, purchased the home in 1986. They were drawn to it, Maxine told The Inquirer in 2011, because it was located across the street from the storefront where her grandfather sold men’s caps during her childhood.
The Kams’ artistic touch resulted in the aesthetic the house is known for today, Segal said. Prior to the couple buying it, the house sported a Miami Vice-esque aqua and pink color scheme.
Maxine said in 2011 that she was inspired by the painter and designer Marc Chagall when changing the exterior design of the home. She and Michael added the clock tower to align the property with the other three-story buildings around it.
Maxine and Michael have both died and Maxine’s daughters, who live in Philadelphia, now own the home and decided to sell it.
The house already has a number of offers and Segal is expecting more in the coming days.