The Walker Guesthouse, an iconic piece of mid-century modern architecture, has hit the market for $2 million – and it is ready to be shipped anywhere in the world! Designed by renowned architect Paul Rudolph in 1953, this 24-by-24-foot cube structure was originally situated on Sanibel Island, Florida. Currently disassembled and stored in California since 2019, the house can be shipped to its new owner, with shipping costs excluded from the asking price.
This innovative dwelling features electricity, separate areas for cooking and sleeping, a system of shutters, pulleys, and 77-pound weights that allow it to transform into an open-air pavilion, seamlessly connecting its inhabitants with the surrounding environment. The sale includes period furniture selected or designed by Rudolph, his original plans, and architectural drawings.
The Walker Guesthouse remained within the Walker family until 2019, when it was sold at auction for $750,000 to a buyer near Palm Springs, California. Since then, it has been preserved in storage, awaiting a new owner who appreciates its architectural significance. The house is currently featured in a New York City art exhibition at the Met. Rudolph died in 1997.
“The charm of living in the Walker Guesthouse with its movable flaps was that you could always adjust to the natural elements of the moment,” Brandt Dayton, a retired art dealer and a Walker family member, told the New York Post. “If it were raining, you could shut down a flap or two. During the day, you could raise the flaps to let in more breeze or close them down at night to be cozy. You could leave them slightly ajar like a cracked window or you could have them fully up and feel like you were living in an open pavilion.”
Reconstructing this architectural gem will require collaboration with professionals to ensure its integrity and compliance with local regulations. Ideal for an individual or institution passionate about architecture and art, the Walker Guesthouse offers a unique opportunity to own and preserve a piece of mid-century modern history.
