Montclair Coming Up Modern - Page 2

"They had a large family and they did a ton of entertaining with family and friends. That's why they put in a swimming pool…sometime in the '80s," Moore said of the sellers.

The Pacific Union International realtor said floor work, including regrouting terrazzo and refinishing hardwood and cork, have really helped the house "bloom," along with reroofing, repainting, and staining. Despite its age and relatively minimal renovations, "The quality of the materials is just so good, there are people who would consider living in it as is."

"It probably needs some deck work. It's safe, but it's not as attractive as it could be," she said when asked about any overdue improvements. Other than possibly replacing the aging dishwasher, she said, "It really is in move-in condition."

The Pershing listing is dubbed a 'Dream House' in marketing that has received widespread coverage, with even the New York Times reporting on its offer of "California living at its best!" "The interest in Pershing is unprecedented," said Moore, confirming that the owners expect to begin considering offers this week.

It's difficult to know for sure, but the possibility exists that the Mark Mills house on Arrowhead Drive helped whet buyer interest in the Pershing listing that followed. Moore said the Mills design fetched more than its $950,000 asking price, "and we will for Pershing as well."

But will that cement the Montclair District as a go-to destination for mid-century modern homebuyers? Also hard to say. These two are certainly not the only modernist homes in this hilly community of 4,000, including a sprinkling of Danish modern. Moore said builder Tom Lowe constructed a number of Montclair houses with open floor plans in the 1970s, and he was not alone.

"There's a whole bunch of homes that were built in the late '60s and early '70s that were influenced by the mid-century," the realtor observed.

So, move over, Palm Springs—Montclair Modern may be on the rise!