257 South Osmond Street
1961
Leonard and Lisa Herzog
Hajjar was running out of money to finish homes under construction on Osmond when the Herzogs negotiated their purchase. They had previously been interested in 251. While floor plans were mostly the same, 257 had an open atrium inside the entrance the full height of the house. This diminished the floor space enough that there was not room for Lisa's dining set.
The Herzogs had enough bargaining power that Hajjar enclosed the atrium in order to make the sale. Lisa feels that Hajjar never really got over having to make the change. Leonard reports that when he and Hajjar went to the bank to arrange for a mortgage, then normally staid First National Bank president John Truby jumped up on his desk, did a little jig and exclaimed, "So you're the one who is going to bail Hajjar out this time!"
In additional to its radical appearance, 257 has another distinguishing enhancement: an elevator. It is not known what Hajjar had in mind, he may have found a bargain purchase, or he may have been thinking of an elderly purchaser, or may have just wanted something different. By standing on the roof of the elevator when it was at ground level, access was also provided to the small attic.
The bay window at the upper left of the home.
A large central window encompasses two stories.
This is the main entrance, hidden somewhat by a privacy wall. It has its own special canopy.
A window in the privacy wall for holding plants.
A detail is shown here of a bedroom window on the top level.
The view of the house from the Robin Road side. The cedar shakes have caused some to call it the Dutch Windmill House and others to call it the Swiss Chalet House.
This photo shows a detail of the balcony, a larger size than provided for the other cube houses.
