Terrific Twitchell

A small but perfect Ralph Twitchell house beckons.

By Robert Plunket

Click here to see our Real Estate Junkie discuss this house on ABC7.

That Ralph Twitchell house we looked at several weeks ago is back on the market. The buyer’s financing fell through—something that happens a lot these days. But their loss is your gain, as they say.

This house is a great deal. Everything about it is “right”—location, condition, price. The only drawback is size—it’s just over 900 square feet and would best work for a single person or a couple who really liked each other.

It was built back in 1959 for Twitchell’s secretary, a colorful lady some people still remember, named Lu Andrews. Even though it’s small it has a lot packed into it. The built-ins come with the house, the closets are adequate and most rooms have clerestory windows and skylights. I’ve looked it over twice and each time I discovered new things—custom space-saving details that add to the livability. Take the lanai, for example. It’s big and spacious and overlooks a beautiful pond that’s covered with lily pads and full of birds, ducks, egrets, etc. The lanai furniture (original) comes with the house.

As far as architectural history goes, this is a very important house. Paul Rudolph was working for Twitchell at the time, and although he officially has no link to the house, it’s very similar to what he was doing. You can just see him getting ideas—or contributing some of his own. It’s been featured in many books and TV shows and is the only Twitchell design that remains exactly the way he designed it. Even the air-conditioning, added later, is virtually undetectable.

It’s got 2 bedrooms, 2 baths (one with a wonderful stainless steel vanity), terrazzo floors, a fountain on the lanai, a fireplace, a new roof, and it’s in a great neighborhood (Tahiti Park) that’s west of the trail and a short walk from downtown. Best of all, you can actually afford it. The price is $299,900. Call the owner at (941) 587-2192.

Posted: 7/29/2009 10:25:46 AM | 4 comments

	Allison Pinto
	This house is truly a “jewel box.” My partner Tim Dutton and I are now the fortunate stewards. Our personal and professional pursuits center around child and community well-being here in Sarasota, and so the philosophy that informs the architecture of the home very much resonates with us. We would love to learn more about Lu Andrews, and Sondra and Samantha, we would be honored to have you visit. You can reach us by email at allisonpinto@banyansprout.com.
	3/9/2012 10:49:28 AM
	Report abuse

	Sondra Howe
	I have stayed at this home many times. Stephen Andrews, Ludelle Andrews son (only child) is my late husband who passed away December 30, 1996. I had many conversations with Ludelle and I remember her saying that Ralph Twitchell indeed designed this home. Ludelle was a wonderful lady and I was very blessed to be her daughter-in-law. Thank you, Samantha, for taking care of your grandmother. We all miss her.
	3/8/2012 10:17:05 PM
	Report abuse

	samantha andrews
	ludell andrews was my grandmother. she was indeed colorful. I was her legal guardian until her death in 2002 at the age of 98. she loved her house, which her boss ralph twitchell designed with her input, more than anything. I miss visiting there as it is a magical place and hope someone will truly appreciate it whoever owns it next.
	2/7/2012 4:23:27 PM
	Report abuse

	Martie Lieberman
	I love this house. It was restored by Kim and Lou Salvatori after Lu Andrews moved out. I am not sure who actually designed this house for Lu Andrews; certainly not Paul Rudolph, who dissolved his partnership with Ralph Twitchell seven years earlier, by 1952. Jack West came and went, dissolving his partnership with Twitchell by 1954. I think this "jewel box" was designed by Joan and Ken Warriner, who worked for Twitchell during this period, or William Rupp, who had his own architectural practice in Sarasota, and quietly designed several projects for Ralph Twitchell (1955-1960) according to his monograph. Then again, I think Rupp's dear friend, Tim Seibert would have known this. Perhaps someone reading this can shed some light? Thanks for your wonderful posts, Bob. Your fan, Martie Lieberman
	10/7/2010 10:11:38 AM
	Report abuse

Bob Plunket's Real Estate Junkie

Terrific Twitchell

Post archive