553 Elizabeth | John Lum Architecture

This previously dilapidated house with a detached, non-conforming rear cottage, was transformed into a modern, light-filled open floor plan. The house is organized around a dramatic three-story, skylit staircase that floods the interior with natural light. The stairs being clad in oak veneer plywood create a strong, sculptural presence in this otherwise simple house. The house was expanded in the rear, as well as a fourth floor, topping out at 4,456 SF of habitable space.

The main floor contains a formal living/dining room, and a great room with open kitchen with sliding doors that open onto an expansive, south-facing terrace. On the floor above are three bedroom suites, and finally the penthouse suite, that can be utilized as a secondary master suite, or a media room.

The non-conforming rear cottage was reduced and added onto, connecting it to the main house. A very unusual atrium space separates this unit from the main house, while flooding this lower area with natural light. Designed to be either utilized as a separate unit or integrated into the main house as guest quarters, the guest house features a full kitchen, and private garden space.

Designed with SF Modern as the interior designers and developer, this project yielded an astounding $1,500 a SF price recently.