Our first time capsule house of 2017 — and it is spectacular! This 1959 midcentury home — the Kaufman Estate in Kitchener, Ontario, was designed by famed Canadian architect Eberhard Zeidler. Zeidler was steeped in modern design theory via his education at Bauhaus University. After emigrating to Canada, he did mostly commercial work — including Ontario Place, Eaton Centre, and many more landmark sites — so it’s fantastic to see one of his rare residential works — in time capsule state, no less. Many thanks to listing broker Troy Dale Schmidt for his permission to feature this house… to Ray Jameson of Impact Listings for permission to feature the awesome photos… and mega-love to reader Melanie, who sent the tip this morning. Once I saw this house, I jumped — it’s amazing!
Tip to view photos: On a desktop computer, after the page fully loads,
click on any image, and it will double in size up on screen. Click ESC or off the photo to return to the story.
About the house, from the listing:
Nestled in the heart of Old Westmount on a mature 1.56 acre private treed lot showcases this custom built home designed by renown architect Eb Zeidler. Modern and functional open concept home with large main rooms. Towering walls of geometric windows and high ceilings throughout this 6,000 sqft home are offset by sun filled cozy spaces and warm wood. Every detail and feature of this home was carefully designed; there is a great functional use of space with narrow hallways opening up into bright spacious rooms in a home made for entertaining. The second floor includes 6 generous sized bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Oversized 3 car heated garage with storage room and plenty of parking space.
Specs:
- Designed by Eberhard Zeidler — one of only 20 residential commissions
- Constructed from 1956-1959, completed in 1959
- Six bedrooms
- Six bathrooms
- 1.56 acres, including lovely landscaping
- Three-car heated garage
- Listing price: $2,750,000 CDN
About the Kaufman family, from a brochure sent to me:
The Kaufman family are a historically significant family in Kitchener Waterloo Region. The Kaufman Rubber Company and later the Kaufman Footwear Limited helped shaped the industrial and public development of the region, dating back to the early 1900’s. The fond memories of growing up in the Kaufman Estate are bountiful, but the time has come to sell the home, in the hopes that a new family can reinvigorate this home with life and cherished memories of their own
I spoke to Troy Schmidt on the phone today, and he told me that the house is in impeccable shape. All the appliances in the kitchen gleam like the day they were put in. There has been some decorative updating — the kitchen floor, the wallpaper and some other decor, including some furnishings, throughout the house may be been refreshed over all these 57 years.
I also communicated with photographer Ray Jameson. I am always interested to hear what the photographers — highly visual by nature — have to say about the opportunity to take photos in these time capsule homes. Ray wrote to me:
This house was without a doubt one of the most unique and authentic homes that I have had the privilege of capturing. Many older homes that I am asked to photograph have undergone some degree of renovation or “modernization”, but this dwelling was all original. No matter where inside, it truly felt as though you had stepped back in time.
The foyer: Oh my word! Zeidler is known for favoring towering walls of window juxtaposed with cozy spaces.
You can still get a Sub-Zero refrigerator like this today — it’s an absolute classic.
Very cool how they put the cooktop in a center island set into a stainless steel countertop.
The wood throughout the house — gleaming. Gorgeous. Can anyone identify the brand of the dishwasher?
Of course, I’m always entranced by original bathrooms. And see: Even the ritziest of mansions had a pink bathroom back in the day. This one: Again, what is there to say, but gorgeous!
This is a big house — and the gardens and grounds looks lovely, too. So there are lots more photos in the gallery, below. Dive in! Adore!
Many thanks to Troy Dale Schmidt for permission to feature this listing and these gorgeous photographs. To be sure, we hope this home finds an appreciative buyer!
Link love:
- Listing information for the Kaufman Estate
- Listing broker Troy Dale Schmidt
- And thanks again to Ray Jameson of Impact Listings for permission to feature the photos.
Photo gallery — 48 photos:
Tips to view Gallery: Click on any photo and it will enlarge on screen; use the forward or back arrows to progress; you can start or stop anywhere in the slide show.
Astrid says
Definitely this house is a stunner!!! It took 3 years to build at a cost of $250 000. Quite the grand sum. At the end of the 50’s a beautiful house could be built for around $15 000 and the average Canadian worker made about $4 000/yr.
Zeidler built another house in the neighbourhood for Karl Dare, the successor to the Dare Cookie Company. Again this house features Zeidler’s token large two story window.
Amelia says
Astrid — this is very interesting! I’m assuming you’re perhaps also another Canadian reader, as myself? I grew up nearby Kitchener — the area does have a nice share of inspired architecture. Do you know if the Dare home has photographs, even if only exterior?
Mag says
Love the sizes of the kitchen and baths, and all that glorious woodwork.