Arthur Erickson’s Filberg House

Arthur Erickson was a lion of Canadian architecture. From the mid-1960s until his death in 2009, he was famous for designing iconic public buildings like Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall, UBC’s Museum of Anthropology and the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C. Now, his 1959 Filberg House — an early display of brilliance that helped launch his career — is up for sale.

The 2,000-square-foot, $6 million getaway (built and named for the heir of a timber fortune) overlooks the Strait of Georgia in secluded Comox, British Columbia, on the east coast of Vancouver Island. The 2-bedroom is a beautiful blend of mid-century modern ingenuity (massive wall-to-wall windows) and Moorish touches (intricate lattice screens) with a clear nod to Frank Lloyd Wright with its strong horizontal lines.

The palette of materials in the house is luxurious and warm: terrazzo floors, pink granite walls and yellow cedar. The shimmering, massive fireplace is particularly glorious with its polished brass finish. The totally open hearth is also quite cool.

In a 1961 issue of Canadian Homes magazine, the residence was lauded as the “the most fabulous house in Canada,” and has been noted over the years by publications such as The Globe & Mail, Canadian Architect and The New York Times. It’s also won numerous awards, including a 2002 Architectural Institute of British Columbia award following an extensive, impeccable renovation. The attention is understandable. Many of the features — such as the gently undulating ceiling and the long, skinny skylight picture window above — are unique and architecturally inventive.

For more information on the house, contact Sotheby’s International Realty.

Photo credits:
1-4. Sotheby’s International Realty