Live in an art deco home with vintage accents for $599,000 in Chariton
Lucas County might appear beyond the radar of house hunters looking across the metro, but a one-of-a-kind art deco property in Chariton possesses enough charm and history to entice local, or out-of-state buyers searching for an uncommon combination of vintage and modern design.
Realtor Steve Clark has listed the home on quiet Sixth Street for $599,000, located one mile from Chariton’s historic town square and an hour’s drive from downtown Des Moines.
Built and overseen by Russell Johnson, then head of local firm Johnson Machine Works, the 1938 home has preserved its stylish roots, while adding extra space and a considerable roster of 21st century updates, including gas, water, electric, furnaces and air conditioning.
“Nothing has really been left untouched,” Clark explained. “They maintained all the character but have updated all the services coming into the home.”
An architectural rarity for the city, the home’s sturdy frame is a combination of steel, concrete and brick, finished with an eye-catching light gray veneer that accentuates the building’s lines, curves and art deco inspiration.
The layout of the 4,994-square-foot, two-story house includes four bedrooms and three bathrooms, providing ample space for empty nesters or a growing family.
Inside, the stairway features terrazzo tiling and a railing furnished by Johnson’s own company. The living room is lit by floor-to-ceiling bay windows and is connected to a dining space, family area and a sunroom with slate flooring. A major overhaul of the kitchen now includes a three-seat island and a walk-in pantry with its own coffee bar, sink and elbow room to prepare ingredients.
Upstairs, a large recreation room joins the four bedrooms and a home office space. The striking primary bathroom is a later addition to the home and extends over the rear patio, creating a curved accent that expertly blends with the home’s original exterior. This modern bathroom is now equipped with a hot tub, a standalone shower, and decorated with black and white subway tiles.
Alongside the tiling and granite windowsills, other original and acquired art deco hardware is featured on the doors, closets, and windows.
In the fenced backyard, an in-ground pool was added in 1980, upgrading the existing garage into to a pool house. A five-hole putting green was created four years ago, and in front of the attached three-car garage, the owners suggest there is adequate room for pickleball or a basketball half court.
Over the decades, surrounding parcels of land have been purchased and the 1.5-acre footprint is now buffered by an empty lot to the north.
This overall blend of old and new would not look out of place in a neighborhood South of Grand. Steve Clark is confident the next buyer will make an instant connection with the home.
“It's such a unique property,” he said.
The home is listed at $599,000 by Steve Clark of VIA Group Realtors. Contact Clark at 515-661-2818 for more information and a private showing.
Where: 909 N. Sixth St., Chariton
Asking price: $599,000
Year built: 1938
Square footage: 4,994 square feet
Lot size: 1.5 acres
Richard Lane is a freelance writer for the Des Moines Register. If you have a home we should feature, reach out to Susan Stapleton at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: This art deco home in Chariton is on the market for $599,000