Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Architecture Wednesday: Briar Hill Road MidCentury

This secluded bluff property, located near St. Louis, is the signature project of notable architect, Charles E. King and is recognized as one of the outstanding examples of Mid-century Modern residential design in the Midwest.

With spectacular views of the St. Louis skyline, the property attracted the attention of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright who designed and originally began construction before the project was finished by King to use as his primary residence. There are some elements of FLW design, but King changed up the plan to include very large bedrooms and two separate living areas.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and multiple outdoor spaces—including a sunken patio off the dining room, a floating gazebo and bluff side pool with unmatched sunset views—define the home. There are four bedrooms—including a mid-century modern take on a bunk room—each with ensuite bathrooms, and a unique open floor plan with multiple levels and a floating living room that make up the 7000+ square foot luxury compound.

A pole barn and 55 acres with a mix of pasture and woods give opportunity for those wanting space for additional buildings, horses, hunting, or private development. 

As always, click to emBIGGERate …

30 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

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  2. Bags of room, gorgeous grounds - needs serious updating.

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    1. The property is gorgeous but it's way too big and in need of a lot of work.

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  3. It's a huge house, no?
    Very nice views and you can tell FLW did not finish it: it's very open and the windows are huge. Also, not a lot of built-in furniture. FLW tended to be a little bit more constrained.


    XOXO

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    1. It's ginormous!!!
      It doesn't have the artwork of an FLW home in the windows and walls and builtins.
      xoxo

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  4. That's stunning. I wouldn't change a thing!

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    1. Ding Ding Ding we have a taker!!!

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  5. Cleora Borealis9:34 AM

    🤨 If we start with the premise that I loathe mid-century modern and FLW, I will admit that this is a very nice example of the genre. It is also a pass because I'm a KC-born Missourian and I loathe St. Louis! 🤢 Other than that, have a nice day Bob!! 😃🤣

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    1. If you picked it up and moved it?????

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  6. I usually like mid-century modern, but this one feels dated to me I don't know why. But the exterior and the exterior patio and outdoor spaces are lovely. The exterior gets an A+. The interior,meh. But that one bathroom with the Stone and Tile work and glass shower door .. that bathroom is stunning.

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    1. It is very dated and way too much space. I'd tear down more than half of it and keep it simple and open and with huge windows to look at my land ... and the pool boys!

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  7. That's a stunning house. I love the bunk beds, and it looks like the views are amazing. But 7000+ SF is a little insane! Are there any wealthy people left in St. Louis?

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    1. It is was too big ... if it came in a compact size perhaps I'd reconsider???

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  8. I'm not a huge mid-century fan, but I can appreciate the clean lines and use of windows to bring the outdoors in. Now, the outdoor spaces are stunning!

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    1. The windows and the outside are the winners.

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  9. Anonymous11:26 AM

    the dog's mother
    xoxo :-)

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  10. Anonymous2:23 PM

    The cuzins from the Ozarks can’t wait to visit !
    Clayton wants to blast that big fancy window out with his shootin’ iron, Aloysius wants to swim nekkid in that fancy pond they’s got, and five foot Clarissa can’t wait to show off her super bouffant hairdo and 6 inch stilettos that make her seven feet tall :)
    And they wonder why them there relations ain’t so friendly !
    -Rj

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    1. The Clampetts come to St. Louis?

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  11. I don't know about St. Louis BUT I can work with the home----Needs some updating----I don't want to tear out its' soul but a refresh would be nice----The home does feel like thin boxes put together---I love the light and the openness of the space----The views are great----I would love to watch the change of seasons---The outside is a dream----Can someone check and see how one is supposed to get to the upper bunks---Knowing me, I would roll over at night and hit the floor and break a hip----

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    1. I'd lose half the house from the jump and just keep two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and dining area, and then open it all up to the views!

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  12. I looked at this before I went to my follow up mammogram appointment. Liked the outside then, not so much the inside. Now I like it all. Maybe a boob bashing helped. I wonder if I keep my aesthetic gland in my left one. Maybe I just needed coffee.

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    1. I don't know from aesthetic gland, but maybe coffee did help??

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  13. I am drooling, it even has a complete kitchen. Now where is that winning lottery ticket.

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    1. And get those guest rooms ready for all the bloggers who will visit!

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  14. Interesting, a few nice features, great views. Seriously dated and obscenely large. And you couldn’t pay me to move to Misery (my apologies to some truly wonderful people who love there).

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    1. I agree 100% ... even with the Misery part. 🤣🤣🤣

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  15. Very sprawling and very dated but probably nice enough to live in. I did embiggen the photos!

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    1. I like it but find it dated and way too big!

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  16. It looks more like a resort style getaway than a private home. And way too big, though I do love that walk in wardrobe/dressing room.

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