Midcentury modern houses galore in Salt Lake City… Serene, uncongested neighborhoods that read, to me, like the Southern California utopia of the 1960s: Oh my gosh, who knew? I was recently in Salt Lake City for a blogging conference and arrived a day early to take up real estate agent Mony Ty’s gracious offer of a driving tour of Salt Lake City’s midcentury modern neighborhoods. Ten years ago, Mony began specializing in midcentury modern real estate. You will recall, we first “met” him, when he gave me permission to feature his photos of Dean Gustavson’s 1957 time capsule house with a private observatory. During our afternoon together I learned that, today, Mony has curated a rolodex (remember those?) of about 1,000 notable examples of midcentury modern houses in Salt Lake City. And his standards are tougher than mine — I am betting that if you include all the cute midcentury modests and kitschy moderns, we are talking, what?, 10,000 fantastic midcentury houses, all cloistered in very drivable neighborhoods. Mony and I drove around for about four hours on a cold, kind of cloudy January day (great for taking photos). The mid mod houses went on and on and one — just like the cold clear beautiful mountain desert sky.
My overall impression: Amazement. I was born and raised in Southern California in the 1960s — Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista, it hardly got any better. And to me, 40 years later, these Salt Lake City neighborhoods — and their overall easy, expansive feel — remind me of those early Southern California days, before SoCal became overrun with freeways, endless subdivisions and smog. These eminently “collectible” midcentury houses in SLC also seem to be way way cheaper. And they are Gorgeous.
Mony drove me through three Salt Lake City neighborhoods built in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. It was house after house after house after house of beautiful, generally unremuddled midcentury loveliness, modern and “modest” alike.
Every style and detail you could possible imagine — international, MCM, prairie Frank Lloyd Wright, colonial, cape, storybook ranch, Cliff May ranch, flat roof, butterfly roof, ski jump roof… on and on it goes it terms of ideas and inspiration straight from the way-back-midcentury-time-machine. I jumped online to see if I could read about this seemingly rapid-fire build up of gorgeous midcentury modern homes in Salt Lake Cities in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s — but I could find no articles. I’d love to include a link here, if someone can find one. I am so curious: Why so many gorgeous examples?
I’ll say it again: The midcentury houses went on and on — just like the cold clear beautiful mountain desert sky. I took 300 photos. 81 presented today –>
Above #5.
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Above: #20. Note: This is the same house as #4 photo — note the amazing ski jump roofline in photo #4. In this photo, you can see the clerestory window design supporting that roofline. Must be amazing to see inside.
Above: #21. Same house as #4 and #20. Love the mix of materials.
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Above: #26. Roy Lichtenstein style garage door mural.
Above: #26: House built right into a rock.
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Now wasn’t that fun?
SUPER MEGA THANKS to Mony Ty, Salt Lake City midcentury modern real estate agent extraordinaire, for graciously taking me on this amazing tour. I have to admit, I kept thinking he would say, “I have to get back to work now, Pam” but no, we just kept driving.
Now that I have incited all readers to immediately move to Salt Lake City, please be sure to buy from Mony. Here is his real estate homepage. And, while you’re on his site, be sure to check out his listings.
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Rob says
You missed Westshire , the first and only complete planned Eam’s style community located adjacent to the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City
Emily Emmer says
Pam – Thanks for you post, it’s great to see your collection of homes. Check out this tour by Salt Lake Modern for a few more lovely homes in this area: http://cityhomecollective.com/architecture/st-marys-modern-home-tour/
Stephanie Ennis says
#55 was built by my 88 year old parents Harry and Virginia Ennis in the early 1960’s. We grew up and loved living in the home, with incredible views of the entire valley. It was designed by Ed Dryer.
pam kueber says
Thank you for this information, Stephanie! What a fantastically gorgeous house. I can’t tell exactly from my photo — but it looks like you had phenomenal views from that house. I am telling you: I am READY to move to Salt Lake City!
Mony Ty says
The currently owner has done a great job as to updating it, they replace the single pane windows, etc…. It is one of the better quality Dreier homes, love the ceiling in the tongue and grove hard wood. Your parents had great taste.
Soma Pradhan says
Just when you think SLC is stale, boring or without content. I love this!
pam kueber says
I was so ready to move!!! Again, like I said: It’s like Southern California in the 1960s — gorgeous!
gsciencechick says
Wow, these are amazing homes! So, what is the history and why so many of this style?
Mony Ty says
Salt Lake was happening in the 50’s and 60’s. We had the mining, aerospace and being in the cross road to the west, both influence from California and the east coast Mies prodigy. We also had a great architectural school at the University that produce some good architect. I mean from the 50 miles north and south and the Salt Lake valley, I have over 1000 homes on my mailing list. I think it was just the timing.
pam kueber says
AMAZING! xoxo, Mony!
Yinzerella says
There are parts of Pittsburgh that would make your head fall off. One road in particular. Google map this address: 2437 mt. royal road pittsburgh
The pink house is outrageous.
Just another Pam says
House porn of the finest quality though my chest aches with covetous desire.
Larry says
Thank you for featuring my home town.
If only I could afford one!
Jacy Park says
WOW!! The creative designers were fortunate to have the funds to build some of these amazing creations!
Many city have Architectural Assessments done every 10 years. Some are even posted on their websites. I know our city’s last one was in 2004… I pasted the website below for a “tour” of my city. I found this while trying to find the history of the house we close on (3 weeks) which is listed as the last house in this posting (120 5ht street). I’m sure you retro lovers will understand my excitement when I saw my future home posted in this survey! ENJOY!
http://www.ci.neenah.wi.us/assets/files/departments/Landmarks%20Commission/2004%20Survey.pdf
Johnny 5 says
House 27 & 28, drool! LOVE IT! Thanks for posting these pic’s, I’m moving real soon LOL! Great stuff!