A vintage Magic Chef range used only 28 times since 1955… a pristine pink bathroom… and more “frozen in time” features in this amazing time capsule house in St. Louis…The owners only ever lived downstairs! Thanks to Meredith and her connections for spotting it and sending it right in. Real estate agent Christopher Thiemet reports that the original listing agent interviewed had advised the sellers to gut-and-renovate-ala-2009 before selling the house. He saw the gem this was and advised otherwise. Thank heavens they listened. Christopher sold the house faster than the speed of light and before it was officially listed – to a buyer who bought the whole thing kit, kaboodle, furniture – and clothes hanging in the closets. Hooray.
Read on for the story — and be sure to see even more photos at Christopher’s excellent website here (now gone).
Update: St. Louis Post-Dispatch story here.
I am also reminded of this post – another family whose virtually unused kitchen was put in a museum. From the listing:
Circa 1955: The best way to describe this awesome find? “NEW CONSTRUCTION FROM 1955!”
This awesome 50’s bungalow, located on a quiet, cul-de-sac street on the Hill, has seriously never been lived in… at least on the main level. This ONE-OWNER home was resided only in the lower level during their stay here, so the main level has been frozen in time and perfectly preserved. The vintage Magic Chef gas oven had a head-count of 28 turkeys cooked in it for 28 Thanksgivings — that’s IT. The other meals prepared in this home were in the lower level kitchenette, where the family resided full-time. The quality of the 50’s shows, as everything is in great working order, the original wooden sash windows are in perfect shape, the tile is impeccable, the hardwoods are pristine (they’re there under the wool carpet)… the list goes on and on. There is an entry foyer, large living/dining combo, large eat-in kitchen, 2 bedrooms with hardwood floors and double (large!) closets, and bath on the main level. Downstairs, you could eat off the floor it’s so clean, and features an additional full bath (offered as-is). The yard is neat and tidy, and fully fenced, and has a 2-car garage with electric opener. Newer low-maintenance siding has been added to the home.
Offered for 129,900 — seller open to negotiatng furniture/furnishings to remain. Truly one of a kind to find. WILL NOT LAST
Retrocat says
I’m so impressed. Everything looks brand new. If you take care of things, they will last. It’s too bad the owners didn’t enjoy the upstairs, more. I didn’t know about living in the basement. That’s interesting.
lara says
This is simply amazing! I would love to do a walk through too!!
Mid Mod Pam says
yes… i keep thinking about this over and over… how amazing it would be to walk through this house…. a dream
Lawrence Bill says
This is like pulling the covers off a pristine ’55 Bel Aire that’s been garage sat all these years. Hmmm, I wonder if it still has that new house smell … that Magic Chef range blows my mind. What a find.
astrosonical says
Thanks Pam, mystery solved! My sister and her husband had a house briefly that had a killer electric range from that era, they pulled it out and hopefully donated it to a charity. What’s the fridge in the ’55 house? It almost looks like a late model.
tailfin says
Living downstairs was common among immigrants or first-generation Americans. The upstairs was considered for company only and kept pristine. Families did all their-day-to-day living in the basement, out of sight to visitors. Don’t ask me why. I just learned this a few years ago when I moved to Buffalo, which has a huge population of first-generation Americans. Also, in homes without air conditioning, many folks had a “summer kitchen” in the basement where it was cooler to cook.
Mid Mod Pam says
tailfin, i think you are absolutely right about the customs that many first generation Americans had toward their homes. It’s actually quite interesting, the care and esteem that they held for their homes.
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
My Romanian mother-in-law has a summer kitchen, which is in a separate building outside. I never really thought about it, but her home in Romania is practically a time capsule.
John says
wow, quite amazing. One has to ask WHY the owners lived in the BASEMENT?? Inquiring minds want to know!!
JQ
Jeanne says
What a find! That is fantastic. I am envious of the new owner. 🙂 The tub doesn’t even need caulking.
astrosonical says
Whoah!! I don’t know what to make of this! I watched the slideshows and read the text. The neighborhood is as pretty as that jewel of a house. Leave it to the original realtor to suggest it be thoroughly updated! And it’s actually cheap at its selling price! The pink lamps in the one bedroom look similar to my Goodwill find. The sofa is a three piece sectional, the curved piece was near the tv set I think. One picture had the range in the garage, unless that was the basement range. I hope the new owner treats it the way the original owners did!
Mid Mod Pam says
astrosonical, at one point the magic chef was put into the garage. but it did remain with the house and the new owner will keep it. it is a real beauty – as is all of this fantastic time capsule home.
loumeigs says
I almost cried tears of joy (and envy)!