Stunning Mid-Century Modern Gem

2 Shady Glen, West Orange, NJ

Public Open Houses April 13 & 14, 2-4 pm

$799,000

Welcome to this stunning and versatile mid-century modern masterpiece, a true architectural gem nestled in the desirable Gregory neighborhood, convenient to schools, shops, New York transportation, major highways and more.

Situated on nearly half a wooded acre off a private dead-end road, this unique residence attributed to East Orange architect Edward Bowser Jr., seamlessly blends classic mid-century design elements with modern comforts, offering a harmonious living experience.

The exterior boasts a combination of sleek geometric shapes and natural materials, creating a timeless aesthetic.

Head down the driveway to the porte cochere and the oversized 2-car garage with heat and air-conditioning and French doors that lead to a patio. Connected to the home through a breezeway, this large, flexible space can be used as an arts studio or home gym, among other possibilities.

A stone walkway leads to the front door, and continues into the foyer. Inside, you’ll discover an open floor plan that promotes a sense of spaciousness and connectivity, with an abundance of natural light in every corner of the home. Most of the rooms feature wood paneling and natural cedar ceilings.

The generous living room boasts a high beamed ceiling, a brick wood-burning fireplace, clerestory and floor-to-ceiling windows, natural woodwork, hardwood floors, track lighting, glass sliders to a large patio, and open access to the kitchen.

The open plan galley kitchen features tons of cabinet space, a sky light, beamed ceiling, a hooded stove, double ovens, as well as a separate mudroom with washer/dryer, sink and door to the backyard.

\The three generous bedrooms and two baths are tucked away from the main living space.

Bedroom 1, located off the foyer through a pocket door, features floor-to-ceiling windows and glass sliders to the wooded outside, built-ins, recessed and track lighting, clerestory windows, and a natural wood beamed ceiling.

Across from the kitchen, three short steps lead to a hardwood landing where you’ll find a full bath with tub and shower, a linen closet, as well as bedroom 2, featuring lots of closet space, some with built-ins, and clerestory windows.

On the other end of the landing, there’s a large guest closet and, farther down, the huge, private primary bedroom suite facing the backyard.

This amazing space boasts abundant natural light, multiple closets, including a walk-in closet, exposed beams and natural wood work, a vaulted ceiling, large windows, including clerestory, built-in bookcases, glass sliders to the backyard, as well as an en suite bathroom with soaking tub, shower, double sinks and skylight.

The unfinished basement includes a storage room with builtins and utility room.

Outside, the spacious patio is perfect for al fresco dining, relaxation and nature appreciation thanks to the surrounding natural wooded landscape that extends beyond the property.

This mid-century modern residence is not just a home; it's a statement of style and sophistication. Immerse yourself in the elegance of a bygone era while enjoying the contemporary conveniences that make this property a truly exceptional place to call home.

Property Highlights

True Mid-Century Modern Design
Built in 1962
Private Wooded .43 Acre Lot
Located in Desirable Gregory Section
Near Schools, Parks, Shopping & NYC Transportation
Open Floor Plan
3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths
Spacious Primary Suite with Ensuite Bath & Walk-in Closet
2-Car Garage, Former Art Studio, With Heat & Air-Conditioning, French Doors to Patio, & Automatic Door Openers
Paved Driveway with Additional Parking
Natural Light From Floor-to-Ceiling Windows/Clerestory Windows, Skylights
Natural Woodwork, Hardwood Floors
Vaulted & Beamed Cedar Ceilings
Wood Burning Fireplace With
Classic light fixtures including Louis Poulsen and Nelson Bubble Lamps
Wood Siding & Brick Exterior With Covered Entrance
Three-Zone Central Air Conditioning & Heat & Home-wide Humidifier System
New Furnace & Hot-Water Heater (2023)
Newer Roof (2020) & Chimney Liner (2018)

Transportation

Free Jitney to Orange, South Orange and Brick Church Train Stations
Bus to NYC 0.4 mi
Orange Train Sta. 1.4 mi
Route 280 0.7 mi

ABOUT EDWARD THEODORE BOWSER JR. (1924-1995)

Edward Bowser Jr. was the first African American architect to work with the renowned French modernist Le Corbusier, and among the first Black architects to work in New Jersey.

He graduated from East Orange High School in East Orange NJ. After attending Howard University in Washington for a year, he changed to RPI in New York and graduated in both architecture and civil engineering. He served in the Navy during WWII and coming out got a degree in Marine engineering from Purdue, then he did a year fellowship with Corbusier in Paris, France. He worked on the Radiant City in Marseille. His first child Kathryn was born there in November 1950, and he stayed on in Europe working on reconstruction projects, returning around 1952 to East Orange NJ. The state would not test him for an architectural license, so he took the national exam and got the top grade in the country. After that, New Jersey relented and he established his own practice. He designed the headquarters for the Ronson firm and a ShopRite store, among other projects.

Bowser became a champion of affordable housing. He was a private pilot. Then, he had a second career in Ghana, initially as part of the Pan African Skills Project, and developing a vocational school about 20 miles outside of Accra at Mong Pong Aqua Ten. According to his brother Robert, Bowser and his wife fixed up buildings, made dorms and classrooms, and a solar and fish hatchery. Eventually they had over 300 students. About half of them went on to college. He became friends with the President of Ghana, Colonel Rawlings, who was also a pilot, and together they made a plane from spare parts found in the jungle. He stayed in Ghana for about 19 years and died there of cerebral malaria in 1995. His wife Carmen remained in Ghana, and the school eventually closed after a few years. They had three children, Kathryn, Ed, and Cecile. Bowser's father Edward Sr. was an architectural draftsman and got his license after his son.