Skyhaven: 1955 midcentury modern marvel now available!

Designed by award-winning architect Joseph Amisano of the firm Toombs, Amisano & Wells in Atlanta, the one-of-a-kind home is constructed of concrete, steel, travertine and glass. Long rumored to have been a creation of Frank Lloyd Wright, the home has become something of a legend in Rome and Northwest Georgia.

As you approach Skyhaven through its front gates, the home’s unique layout is immediately apparent. Entering through a large courtyard, the front door opens into a Mies van der Rohe-inspired space. Currently used as a formal living room, the open area at the core of the home could easily be used for dining or other entertaining purposes and functions. To the right, find a chef’s dream kitchen featuring Sub-Zero and Viking appliances, dual sinks, a 10-foot quartz covered island, and custom backsplash. A half bath, over-scale laundry/utility room with additional cabinetry and counter space, and three-car garage complete this wing of the home.

Returning to the large open space in the middle of the home, a walk into the opposite direction allows you to view some of Skyhaven’s most unique features. Among the many focal points are a strikingly modern brick fireplace that appears to float between plate glass windows and the original “Skybar”. The bar features a double sink, ice maker and refrigerator—everything needed for the perfect cocktail. Accessible via spiral staircase, a loft with windows on all four sides frame partial views of Downtown Rome and the Coosa Valley. This space also includes its own full bath and could be used as a casual den, playroom, home office or bedroom.

Returning to the foyer, a long adjoining corridor with original spruce paneling leads the way to an additional half bath and three suites. The bedroom wing is the setting for many of the home’s most original features, including tile bathrooms, largescale sliding doors that open to a wraparound porch, and three wide floor-to-ceiling closets.

Outside, in addition to the courtyard and wraparound porch, a massive 1800 SQFT patio could play host to large parties or intimate nights around the gas fire pit. Sited on a triple lot, the home has expansive views of rolling hills, Downtown Rome, and even Berry College.

Continually and lovingly renovated by the previous and current owners, Skyhaven remains a respectful interpretation of the original vision.

Skyhaven

Live like James Bond or Frank Sinatra in Skyhaven, a 1955 Mid-century Modern Masterpiece. The 4,550 sqft home, designed by Prix de Rome prize winning architect Joe Amisano, was built to entertain. Joe Amisano built Lenox Square Shopping Center [1954], the Lamar Dodd School of Art for the University of Georgia, the original Fernbank Science Center [1963], and the Peachtree Center MARTA station. The John Knox Church [1964] was one of Amisano’s most celebrated Atlanta projects and won the 1967 AIA Award.

[NOTE: Renovation blog posts can be seen here]

Skyhaven as seen from the back. The terrace was structurally unsound.

The courtyard entrance was a bit overgrown.

The wrap around porch had been painted a dark taupe.

The back patio was rebuilt into a double terrace with built in gas fire bowl.

A new path, sod, and lighting enhance the cantilever.

Original Spruce siding was removed, stripped and stained.

The travertine and bronze wall separates the foyer entry from the glass walled dining room.

The custom 16’ Ponderosa Pine dining table with a live edge would remain with the house.

Cantilevered Expanses.

Commissioned by Charles Heyman, this solidly built home blends steel, concrete, and glass together with a strong connection to the professionally landscaped triple lot. The banquet sized dining room comes with a custom 16’ live edge table and has a 51 foot glass wall overlooking the reconstructed outdoor patio.

Up a spiral staircase is the glass walled skybar. The bar was very faded with years of sun damage.

The double height living room had a gas fireplace, mixed travertine and carpet flooring, and lots of pink paint.

The bar was refinished and moved downstairs. New cabinetry built to match serves as storage behind the bar.

In the living room, all windows were replaced with energy efficient double-pane windows and all flooring was replaced with travertine to match the original.

Built to Entertain.

A double height living room has a spiral staircase leading up to what was the signature glass-walled Skybar. The Skybar remains with the house, but was moved downstairs.

The kitchen was updated when we purchase the home, but the dark granite and cabinet doors were date.

The kitchen island features waterfall countertops that are beveled and pointed to reflect the same angle of the original Skybar.

The kitchen is a chef's dream. With new quartz countertops, a new 10’ island, custom cabinets and professional Sub-Zero and Viking appliances.

The kitchen had refinished hardwood floors that were not in good shape.

We replaced those with travertine that compliments the original.

A Structural Rarity.

In addition to kitchen renovations, the home has updated windows, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and a commercial grade roof. A three car garage, three master suites, and two powder rooms complete this one of a kind package.

The master bedroom also needed quite a bit of work.

The original master bath was gutted when we purchased the property.

One bedroom had been tiled and sponge painted to the max!

The original bathtub had been removed and the tile floor covered as well. This was to make the bathroom accessible. Without the tub and flooring, we option to renovate the entire bath.

We rewired the bedroom and added shag carpet.

We constructed a modern bath that was still respectful to the style.

We removed the tile and updated paint colors.

Although the original tile was fun, without a tub we decided to gut the bathroom and build a walk-in shower. We were able to keep the vintage sink, mirror, and laundry hamper.

Vintage Photos

We worked with the grandchildren of the family that built Skyhaven to obtain some vintage photos, original furnishings, and all the carbon copy communications between the architect and client.