Award-Winning Mid-Century Modern Masterpiece in St. Catharines Sells for Just Over $1M

The home is known as the Lapierre residence, named for the family that commissioned the home from architect James E. Secord, who studied at Harvard with Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus school and regarded as a pioneer of modernist architecture.

The 2-bedroom, 3-bath home with 3,000 square feet of expansive interior space sold not long after going on the market, priced at $1,039,000.

The home has been profiled in such publications as The Globe and Mail, which relates some of its rich history. “In the late 1950s, Dr. and Mrs. Armand Lapierre asked St. Catharines architect James E. Secord (1918-79) to design a home for them on Wood-Dale Drive near the bottom of the Niagara escarpment,” explains a 2010 profile. “While the Lapierres asked for a conservative, three-storey house, the strong-willed Mr. Secord (related to Laura Secord) made a case for a daring modernist design to take advantage of the topographically challenging wooded lot.”

Along with its architectural pedigree, the home has won two significant awards. Back in 1961, it received the silver Massey Medal; and in 2010, the home was awarded the Ontario Association of Architects Landmark Award – one of two residential homes honoured by this prestigious award, which has also been presented to such structures as the CN Tower, Ontario Place, Eaton Centre and TD Centre.

A charming foot bridge leads up to the home, traversing a small river rock creek.

The new owners are just the seventh since the home’s construction in 1960. “The house is a true show piece,” declares the listing. “When people drive by everyone slows down to get a closer look.”

“The layout and flow of the house is open concept, – with the majority of the doors being pocket doors to keep the flow from room to room,” explains the listing.

The hardwood flooring – made from maple, rosewood and cherry – was refinished in 2018.

The home has been outfitted with surround-sound speakers throughout, which intensifies the experience of watching a Hollywood blockbuster on the widescreen TV.

“The floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outside in,” notes the listing, “regardless of whether you are enjoying breakfast in the kitchen or relaxing in the living room.”

Declaring the home to be “incredibly built,” the listing points out that contractors who have examined the home have “been in awe of the construction and architecture. The wood on the ceiling is impressive and beautifully done and we just refinished all the wood floors so they are looking smashing. The massive wooden beams are incredible and impossible to find in a new home. The extra set of windows at the top just give it that je ne sais quoi. It is hard not to be struck by it when you walk in.”

“When it rains, it is simply the best,” explains the listing. “To be indoors amongst all the windows and hear the rain fall and see it from all sides is beyond.”

The home is situated on a double lot, which, notes the listing, provides “a marvellous garden all around the home. There are red breasted robins and blue jays and the occasional rabbit that hops through. So serene and peaceful… it’s fairy tale idyllic.”

“The wraparound deck is divine,” adds the listing. “Curling up with a good book and a nice glass of wine while overlooking the amazing garden can’t be beat.”

French doors access the wraparound deck, adding to an expansive sense of space, while the massive windows bring the outside indoors.

“The house is simply the best for entertaining – whether it is an intimate dinner party or a larger gathering,” the listing points out.

“The chef-worthy kitchen is spectacular and a favourite spot in the house – completely remodelled a few years ago by the previous owners of the home who are owners of some of Niagara’s best restaurants,” notes the listing. “The Wolf gas stove just inspires you to want to cook and create. And the Fisher Paykel double dishwasher will be tough for us to leave behind – once you have two dishwashers it’s tough to go back to one!”

“The house is so inviting for people to chat and drink and wander – from outdoors and around the wraparound deck to dinner in the living room or hanging in the kitchen while you prepare a scrumptious meal,” the listing describes. Plus, the surround sound system adds to the party’s vibes – even outdoors, too.”

“There is an amazing amount of storage,” notes the listing, “which means the kitchen always looks neat and you always have access to everything you need. There is even additional storage on the other side of the kitchen island.”

With the home’s location near the Niagara wine region, this spectacular temperature-controlled wine cellar will definitely come in handy.

Stepping off the wraparound deck leads to a stone patio, ideal for backyard cookouts or weekend relaxation on a warm summer day.

The home’s second bedroom, situated on the main level, offers a huge floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the lush, green backyard.

A centrally located staircase leads to the fully finished lower level, which hosts the master suite and additional “flex” rooms that could serve as additional bedrooms.

The finished basement is 70 per cent above ground, which allows the lower-level living spaces to feel “like an extension of the upstairs style,” with the large windows carrying through in this space as well.

The spacious master bedroom, located in the lower level, offers a serene view of the backyard greenery.

Adjoining the master bedroom is this spacious bathroom, featuring a steam shower.

This additional room in the lower level has been set up as a nursery, but could serve a variety of other functions.

Another of the home’s three bathrooms, this one is outfitted with a deep soaker tub.
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