 A Palm Springs home known as a masterpiece of modernism sold Tuesday for $15 million.
Not as real estate, but as a piece of art.
Surely, some of its former inhabitants, such as Barry Manilow and one-time San Diego Chargers owner Eugene V. Klein, would agree with that classification.
Live from New York, the Kaufmann House auction sale was seen by 209 aficionados via telecast at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The crowd witnessed a spectacular showing of bids made in increments of $500,000 and $1 million.
In the end, the famed house designed by Austrian architect Richard Neutra underperformed a bit.
Christie's New York, the auction company, initially believed the house would bring upwards of $25 million.
"Everyone was a little surprised," said Bob Bogard, director of marketing and communications at the museum.
He said it's being a house may have influenced the bidding, considering it would require additional expense for upkeep. Still, the audience was disappointed by the outcome.
When the house was introduced more than an hour into the auction after a number of paintings sold, it drew cheers and applause.
During the bidding, even the auctioneer seemed surprised.
"We're at $15 million. Fair warning, now, $15 million," he said, taking long pauses as if waiting for an onslaught of additional offers.
The identity of the home's new owner was not available due to Christie's nondisclosure policy.
"It was very intriguing," said Eric Scharf, 50, a new resident to Palm Springs. "As a semi-student of architecture, I've known about it for years. (The low bid) was surprising."
When the former owners, Beth and Brent Harris, bought the Kaufmann House for $1.9 million in 1993, it was very different than its original design, experts on the home said.
But no expense was spared in recent years during a $5 million renovation to restore it to its original splendor.
"It's meticulous in its detail," Bogard said. "I mean, the screw head lines on the deck are all pointing in the same direction."
By comparison, Lucian Freud's oil on canvas painting - "Benefits Supervisor Sleeping," which depicts a plump, naked woman's slumber on a sofa - went for $30 million.
"It's one of the top five influential properties in the country," said Paul Kaplan, a local realtor affiliated with Christie's who specializes in mid-century modern properties.
"It's really one of a kind as a home." |
