Sharp lines, sweeping curves, exposed materials and jaw-dropping design make mid-century modern residences some of the most sought-after on the property market.
From Frank Lloyd Wright to John Lautner, we've collated a list of the most awe-inspiring mid-century modern homes across America, each highlighting why, more than half a century on, we're all still obsessed with this iconic architectural style. Click or scroll to take a tour...
Arguably one of the world's most famous mid-century homes, Fallingwater was designed in 1935 by the visionary mid-century architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. The house not only showcases the beauty of the natural world, but also demonstrates Wright's passion for organic architecture.
The house was designed for the Kaufmanns, a prominent Pittsburgh family. They purchased land next to the Bear Run waterfall in Pennsylvania and hired Wright to craft a home that would "physically and spiritually embrace the natural world".
The Kaufmanns’ love for the area inspired Wright to imagine a residence that, instead of sitting next to the waterfall, would sit directly on top of it, with the water flowing naturally beneath its elevated foundations.
The waterfall drops 1,430 feet (436m) in elevation across a three-mile (4.8km) course, so Wright chose the most dramatic of these falls to position the house. Incredibly, Wright designed the dazzling residence in a matter of hours.
The 9,300-square-foot (864sqm) house was anchored to the site's rock via a series of reinforced concrete “trays”, with cantilevered terraces of local sandstone and Cherokee red steel beams used for structural support.
Internally, Wright also opted to reference the natural landscape outside, with low ceilings, exposed rock elements and sandstone floors. Extensive windows frame magnificent scenery, while glass doors open up many of the rooms to the home's endless terraces, some of which are positioned directly over the water.
A. Quincy Jones might not be as well-known as Frank Lloyd Wright, but he was one of America's most prolific mid-century modern architects. In fact, he played a role in over 5,000 structures in California, including churches, university buildings and, of course, residential homes.
This property was designed by Jones in 1973 and it's by far one of his most exciting. Located in the heart of the Californian city of Pasadena, the pad will truly take your breath away. Let's look inside...
Measuring 7,141 square feet (663sqm), the mid-century masterpiece has a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, thanks to walls of sliding glass doors. The glazing also frames views of the garden and surrounding mountains.
The two-storey home features an open-plan main level, with seriously awe-inspiring living spaces. There's an expansive central atrium, a stunning chef’s kitchen and a gorgeous lounge with a soaring ceiling and a show-stopping fireplace.
The primary bedroom suite offers a private terrace, a spa-like bathroom and wrap-around windows. As for interior design, the home is decorated with bright white walls that contrast against hardwood floors, terrazzo accents, sleek stainless steel and mirrored details.
The pad was apparently designed as a party house for a philanthropist couple and it isn't difficult to believe! In early 2023, the property hit the real estate market for $6.8 million (£5.1m), with the listing agents calling it an “iconic piece of post-mid-century modernism".
Palm Springs is known as a hot bed for mid-century homes and this one might just be the most famous. Completed in 1979, the dazzling 23,000-square-foot (7,010sqm) property was designed by iconic modernist architect, John Lautner, for the legendary comedian, Bob Hope, and his wife Dolores.
The residence was the largest and most ambitious that Lautner ever designed, but by the time it was finished, he actually no longer claimed it. That's because Dolores reportedly made so many changes to his original plans, that it no longer reflected his vision.
Constructed from steel, concrete and glass, the one-of-a-kind residence features a futuristic curved copper roof, with huge openings in it that frame views of the sky. Glass doors connect the home's sheltered terraces with the spacious interior.
Inside, you'll find characterful living spaces, as well as a spa with a greenhouse wall, six bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. There's an indoor and outdoor pool, a pond, a putting green and a tennis court.
Bob Hope sadly passed away in 2003, aged 100, but during the height of his career is said to have used the home to entertain high-profile guests, including the likes of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.
The home appeared on the market in 2013 for $50 million (£37.2m), but the price was dropped a year later to $25 million (£18.6m). It remained on the market until 2018, when billionaire businessman Ron Burkle purchased it for a reported $13 million (£9.7m). And this isn't the only iconic home that Burkle has bought...
Built into a hill and elevated over the Waiaka Stream, this remarkable home is the only one in Hawaii that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Known as Cornwell House (or the Sandy Simms House), the property was crafted not only to suit its occupants, but to sit in perfect harmony with its environment – something that Wright took incredibly seriously.
The house was originally conceived for the Cornwell family and was meant to be built in Pennsylvania. However, many years later, in 1995, the property was brought to life in Hawaii.
It was meticulously built to Wright’s original plans and architect John Rattenbury was instrumental in bringing the house to fruition. Boasting Wright’s signature passive solar hemicycle structure, the residence features a second floor that appears to float over the curved living space below.
Framing jaw-dropping scenery, every room benefits from floor-to-ceiling glass. From rounded walls and timber panelling, to Cherokee red concrete floors and licensed reproductions of original Wright-designed furniture, the property appears frozen in time.
The free-flowing interior plan includes a lounge, a kitchen, a dining area and three bedrooms. The master suite has its own private bathroom and balcony. Fancy staying here? It's available to rent via Host Unusual.
Pierre Koenig remains one of the most celebrated architects of the mid-century modern movement and he designed some of the most exciting homes in Southern California during his career.
Completed in 1994, this striking geometric home was Koenig’s final project and it was named Schwartz House. Very different to the styles of Wright and Lautner, the property has bags of curb appeal.
The home is located in Santa Monica and sits on four structural steel columns, designed to minimise the building’s impact on the surrounding environment.
The residence also sits at an angle, rotated 30 degrees from the framework, to capture maximum sunlight and make the most of cooling sea breezes. Defined by stark lines, exposed steel framing and floor-to-ceiling glass, this property looks like it was designed yesterday.
Spanning 2,380 square feet (221sqm), the house blends blonde hardwood floors and white walls with expanses of glass. A spiral yellow staircase connects the home’s three floors, where you'll find an open-plan living room, a dining area and a kitchen, as well as four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a guest suite with its own entrance.
In January 2024, Koenig’s final masterpiece hit the market for $4.5 million (£3.3m). We can't help but think that's a bit of a bargain.
Arguably one of the most celebrated pieces of architecture in all of the USA, Ennis House was made famous thanks to its starring role in the 1982 science fiction film, Blade Runner. It was later used in other movies and TV shows, including Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Like many of America's best mid-century modern marvels, Ennis House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. He was hired by retailers Charles and Mabel Ennis in 1923, after they'd bought a vacant, elevated plot above the Hollywood Hills, in an area that's now known as Los Feliz.
Wright wanted the home to be unlike anything else he'd ever designed. He drew inspiration from the Mayan temples of Mexico and Central America, creating highly-decorated bricks using industrial concrete.
He crafted 27,000 interlocking concrete blocks, each of which was cast by hand from gravel, granite and sand that was excavated from the site. Wright also designed 27 intricate leaded windows, adorned with geometric patterns.
The interior stretches 10,000 square feet (929sqm) and benefits from expansive living spaces, three bedrooms and four bathrooms, many of which are finished with those striking hand-made blocks. Mabel Ennis sold the house in 1936 and over the years it has had several VIP owners, including actor John Nesbitt.
Mid-century super-fan Ron Burkle bought the pad in 2011, paying $4.5 million (£3.3m). He is said to have spent $17 million (£12.6m) restoring it. In 2018, it was back on the market and finally sold in late 2019, fully furnished, for $18 million (£13.4m). It was the most ever paid for a Wright home.
Designed in 1967, this was the final residence by Frank Lloyd Wright. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the Circular Sun House was one of only 14 circular homes designed by the architect, out of the 1,000-plus he created over the course of his 70-year career. Sadly, Wright never lived to see its completion, passing away in 1954 at the age of 91.
Also known as the Norman Lykes House, the 3,095-square-foot (288sqm) property is laid out in overlapping concentric circles, designed to emulate the undulations of the surrounding mountains.
Glass doors connect the home's interior with expansive patios and a spectacular semi-circular pool, all with unobstructed views of Palm Canyon and the city below.
The home’s expansive entertaining spaces radiate warmth, with jewel-toned furnishings, Philippine mahogany-clad walls and ample sunlight pouring in. Wright famously designed a unique fireplace for each of his homes and in this one, a huge inverted stone fireplace is the showpiece of the living room.
The home was originally built as a five-bed, but it was later restored in 1994 by Wright's apprentice, John Rattenbury. Today, it offers three bedrooms, three bathrooms, an office, library and media room.
The home sold in October 2019 for $1.7 million (£1.2m). In early 2023, it was relisted for five times that amount, a cool $8.95 million (£6.6m). Now, it's one of the world's coolest Airbnb listings.