While famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed more than 1,000 buildings throughout his life, his prolific 70-year career produced one single Florida residence: the Lewis Spring House in Tallahassee.
But Florida had its own famed proponent of organic architecture.
Mentored by Wright, Alfred Browning Parker was one of Florida’s most prolific and influential mid-twentieth-century architects.
He designed more than 500 projects in his 60-year career, and was a principal leader of the “Coconut Grove School” of tropical organic architecture, alongside other renowned architects like Rufus Nims and Kenneth Treister.
After another Alfred Browning Parker was recently sold to new owners who planned to tear it down (despite paying a hefty $36 million for the Parker-designed waterfront property in Gables Estates), the city of Coral Gables moved swiftly to save another of the architect’s projects from a similar fate. Now, it’s up for grabs.
Saved at the very last minute
After the Alfred Browning Parker-designed Gables Estates waterfront property at 140 Arvida Parkway was recently sold as a $36 million teardown — despite its architectural pedigree and consideration for historic designation — the city of Coral Gables quickly stepped in to avoid a similar fate for one of Parker’s other notable designs.
The property at 5005 N. Hammock Park swiftly received historic designation, and right on time! Turns out, the listing agent for the property already had a buyer lined up who planned to tear it down.
Now offered for sale at $4.6 million
The architecturally significant home is now listed for $4,600,000, with Coldwell Banker Realty’s Lisa Fox holding the listing. It’s now looking for a buyer who can appreciate its timeless architecture, connection to its surroundings, and historic pedigree.
Stellar architecture by Alfred Browning Parker
A principal leader of the “Coconut Grove School” of tropical organic architecture, Alfred Browning Parker is arguably the most renowned and honored architect in the history of Florida, with some considering him “the Frank Lloyd Wright of Florida.”
Alongside a group of idealistic architects, Parker adapted Frank Lloyd Wright’s tenets to the unique conditions of South Florida. Subtropical modernists devised a whole array of sun-protection devices to shield glass-enclosed interiors from the scorching South Florida sun.
His body of work and architectural legacy contrasts beautifully with Miami’s more modern, glass-enclosed homes.
Lloyd Wright himself praised Parker’s work
Parker was publicly praised by Frank Lloyd Wright, something Wright rarely did. He even recommended Parker as an American Institute of Architecture (AIA) fellow, the only architect Wright ever recommended/nominated for this honor.
The house is located in a guard-gated neighborhood in Coral Gables
The home sits on a roughly one-acre lot in the Miami-adjacent city of Coral Gables, known for its tree-lined boulevards, ivy-covered mansions, and historical landmarks (including the world-famous Biltmore Hotel and the Venetian Pool, both built in the 1920s). It’s part of the guard-gated neighborhood of Hammock Lakes.
Perfectly in tune with its natural surroundings
Alfred Browning Parker was known for incorporating natural materials into his designs, and the property at 5005 N. Hammock Park is no exception.
Enveloped by nature and perfectly in tune with its surroundings, the home also incorporates natural materials throughout, including hardwood Florida cedar and coral rock (out of which the two-story fireplace area of the living room was constructed).
Grand living space with cathedral ceilings
Walking through a foyer entry, the architectural home welcomes residents and their guests with a grand living area, where an imposing beamed cathedral ceiling made out of angelique wood towers above the space.
Two additional family rooms
The grand living area is complemented by two additional family rooms, one designed by Parker, and another one added later on, as part of an expansion project.
A standalone primary suite was added in 2003
In 2003, additions were made to the house, with a new stand-alone primary suite being built upstairs, and an additional family room — open to an industrial kitchen — added as well.
See also: 22 Frank Lloyd Wright homes you’ve probably never heard of
Serene views and a fireplace complete the space
With large balcony doors opening to the lush greenery outside, the large bedroom also has a stone fireplace to add an extra note of warmth to its wood-clad, beamed ceiling design.
The adjacent home office
Also part of the primary suite is an inviting home office, fully clad in warm wood, and a spacious walk-in closet.
The bathrooms don’t infringe on the design
While a tad less midcentury modern, the bathrooms complement the design rather than infringing on it, with each of the 6 baths sporting either a playful design, or an era-appropriate one. The primary bathroom, with vaulted beamed ceilings, adds a pop of color with its vibrant blue hues.
More bedrooms to accommodate guests
Beyond the impressive primary suite, there are 4 additional bedrooms to accommodate friends and family. All bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms.
Wood-clad spaces radiate warmth and comfort
Despite its size — the home has well over 5,300 square feet of living space — the Coral Gables house’s interiors are decidedly warm and inviting, making it a great option for a family.
Nature awaits right outside the house’s doors
A private tropical oasis in itself, the one-acre property is surrounded by mature trees, winding paths, and lush greenery.
There’s also a pool and lounging area
More modern conveniences aren’t lacking, with the outdoor area also featuring a pool and lounging area, hidden behind extra tall palm trees and mature shrubs.
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