The famous Atlantic Beach Dune House is up for sale.
The listing at 1941 Beach Ave. has been posted by real estate agent Jan Shields of Watson Realty. The unique architectural dwelling was designed and built in 1975 by local, high-profile modernist architect, William Morgan. And, as one of Atlantic Beach's most interesting homes, has been featured in many magazines, news sites and on TV.
Resembling something from Lord of the Rings films, the subterranean duplex-style townhome takes the natural shape of oceanfront sand dunes with grassed roof lines. Curved wood and glass doors open to a two-story living room with coiled staircase and glass doors leading to oceanfront patios and rooftop decks. It has recently been updated with modern touches and fully furnished.
The duplexes were built by Morgan, who lived next door, to use as vacation rentals. Architecturally, he did not want the dwelling to block his view of the ocean, so his solution was to bury the house in an existing sand dune.
"I built it like a seashell," Morgan told Roadtrippers.com. "It's a little like being in a submarine.”
The mass of sand over the two homes moderates inside temperatures year-round, and the home itself is constructed out of gunite, a material used for swimming pools, so very little heating or cooling is needed to stay comfortable.
The home last sold for $1.2 million to a South Florida couple who were fans of William's design work. They have left the home relatively unaltered since their purchase, aside from modern upgrades.
