Tuesday, January 10, 2012

'Charlcote House'

'Charlcote House', the James Swan Frick residence designed by John Russell Pope c. 1914 in Baltimore, Maryland. Frick, a member of an old and prominent Baltimore family, was an attorney who retired in 1890 after 18 years of practice. His 1927 NYTimes obituary says that "he remained interested in outdoor sports and music, art and society almost to the last." Click HERE for an article on the home as it looks today and HERE for additional black and white photos. Click HERE to see 'Charlcote House' on bing.








Photos from The Brickbuilder, 1916.

6 comments:

Lodi said...

Nice house, but I don't like the "modern" decor. And really, how many houses can you pack into a circle?

The Down East Dilettante said...

I've never warmed up to this house---I mean, it's a nice enough piece of architecture, but it's got that 'public library/county courthouse look.

The Devoted Classicist said...

While I admit it has a somewhat institutional look, the strict classicism could be a good backdrop for some looser styling along the lines of Lancaster/Fowler/Parish/Hadley. A little conflicted about the renovated attic, I think more of a reference to the preceding spaces would have been preferable, but not objecting to a more contemporary approach.

Anonymous said...

What were they thinking!!!! That attic is horrendous!! I never understood why people would buy a classic, old house with the intent of creating a modern home that totally strays from the original structural detail...just either start from scratch, or invest in a more modern home....leave the classics be!!!

Pigtown*Design said...

It's an amazing house when you see it in situ. It's settled into its surroundings, and has a stunning view into the downtown. Not wild about what they've done to the third floor, too trendy, too contemporary. But knowing the owners, it fits them.

The Down East Dilettante said...

Ha, who knew I would be the dissenting voice here? I think the attic is elegant, crisp, and rather fun. Many successful houses harbor a surprise---and nothing has been done to harm the integrity of the grand public spaces. Should they instead have put up fake Georgian paneling? Or left the cramped little servant's rooms intact and unused?