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Boston Sunday Globe November 4, 2007
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A treasure
of Modernism
PHOTOS BY JULIA CUMES FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE EXCEPT FOR THE LEFT PHOTO COURTSEY MURCHISON ESTATE
Unique Provincetown property that has been off limits to the public will be on the market soon for about $12 million
The Murchison home in provincetown was designed by pioneering modernist Walter Gropius. At top left, the Murchison family in 1959. The swimming pool, a bedroom, and the light fixtures that hangs over the dining room table.
By Kimberly Blanton
GLOBE STAFF
PROVINCETOWN - The glass-walled house designed by Walter Gripius's fim sits high on a promontory at the tip of Cape Cod, over looking a breakwater, dunes, and the sea beyond.
Despite it's prominent location, this archetypal, late-Modernist treasure - named one of he best-designed homes of 1959 by Architectual Record Magazine - is not well known by architectural historians. Built by former Clark University psychology professor Carl Murchison and his wordly wife, Dorotea, the house has been off-limits to the public for years. Passerby seeking a glimpse of the house were shooed away by the Murchisons' reclusive daughter-in-law, who owned the house untill her death earlier this year. But now, this unique property is at a pivotal moment in its history: The Murchisons' heir is selling the house. When it hits the market for 3.2 million tears
Gropius,Page H3
HOME OF THE WEEK
Sunlit rooms for entertaining, private spaces for reflection
Theres almost too much to love about this custom-built house on 2.25 acres; you might not know what to enjoy first. The bright, mirrored entry has a two-story ceilling and a skylight and leads to an open living/dining room that shouts "entertain." This large rectangular room with new bamboo flooring and marble fireplace has one wall lined with windows that look out on an in-ground pool, jacuzzi, and multilevel decking.
Ownrs Debby and Ed Christian raised their family here, and Debby Christain said she designed the house for "lots of entertaining for kids and adults. Thats why we made the floor plan with so much flow to it." Flow it does... into a huge kitchen, with solid oak cabinets and large eating area; down two steps to a family room with four sliding glass doors; and around a bend
to a cozy media room and massive glassenclosed home gym. Nearly every room sports recess and track lighting, multiple skylights - some of which need new seals - large windows, doors or fixed panes of glass. At the same time, the home has its private spaces: a library lined with built-in cabinets and a cazy sitting area with fireplace in the master bedroom.
On and off the market for over a year, its now priced well below its$752,100 assessment, said listing broker Margaret Frazier, with Barrett & Company, Concord. "it was a great house for everyone, young and old, even dogs," said Debby Christian, who said the couple is sad to leave, but are relocating to there Nantucket home.
There will be an open house today from 1 to 2p.m.
MINDY POLLACK-FUSI
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