As a west-coast refugee, I happen to really like contemporary style homes. While they are certainly less common out here in “amish country”, they can be found tucked in around Lancaster County and are just a lot of fun to check out.  One contemporary style I like in particular is called “Mid-Century Modern” and I’ve seen several around our area.

Today I am in a small, less-expensive example but still most definitely Mid-Century Modern, localed on the west side in Lancaster Township. Check out the beamed ceilings, glass walls and high transom-type windows. This home was built by a designer in 1947 who also reportedly built one or two of the Mid-Century Modern examples up on Blossom Hill north of the city in Manheim Township. The home that am filming this episode in does not appear to have been significantly upgraded in it’s lifetime, meaning that some original “modern” features still remain like the solid wood closet doors and even a very period dining room lamp. I love this stuff!

Mid-Century Modern design was in vogue from the late 1940’s through about 1970. This style had many iterations but most often was a one-floor layout with a flat or peaked roof and heavy beaming on the inside, without an attic. There were no basements in most cases. Floor to ceiling windows and “glass walls” to bring the outside in was a key component. A proponent of the mid-century modern movement was a builder named Joseph Eichler, who designed amazing homes on the west coast in the 50’s and 60’s.

In Lancaster PA, Mid Century Modern styled homes are obviously few and far between. I listed and sold a wonderful one in Manheim Township last summer (I really wanted to buy it myself!).  You can see the tour from last summer here. I’ve toured several and every so often one comes up for sale. Remember, a mid-century modern home is a contemporary, but a contemporary is not always a mid-century modern…

As many of you know, I am an advocate of greener homes. I found this video of a news story about a green remodel of a mid-century modern home in Palm Springs Cailfornia.

If you’d like to talk more about mid century modern homes or contemporary homes in general feel free to email at jeff@yourlancasterhome.

It’s located on the west side of Lancaster City, PA on a suburban-style streetscape.  3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths and built in 1948.  Price is set at $160,000 which is a great price for a piece of contemporary art that looks great.  If you’d like to see the property details click here.

Keep in mind that this home is within the range of many Lancaster first time home buyers, and the $8,000 federal tax credit is in effect through the end of April.  If you’d like to see the inside feel free to let me know!