Casey Abby Blog's: Would You Burrow by the Beach in This Underground ‘Dune House’?

Tuesday 29 September 2020

Would You Burrow by the Beach in This Underground ‘Dune House’?

It’s difficult to know the “dune house” even exists if you’re not looking for it. But that’s what makes it so enticing.

From the street, all you see are two staircases, two concealed doors, and grass.

“It’s kind of built like the natural shape of an oceanfront dune,” says listing agent Jan Shields.

The two units on Beach Avenue in Atlantic Beach, FL, must have the same owner, but they can be independently occupied, Shields explains. “A good buyer is somebody that would really like to live in half of it and possibly rent [out] the other half.”

The asking price for the one-of-a-kind offering is $1,795,000—and after less than two weeks on the market, it’s under contract.

Each unit measures about 750 square feet.

“They are a small amount of square footage, but when you walk in, the area is so well-planned it feels bigger,” Shields says. “There’s a big staircase to one side and a dome ceiling. Every inch is well-planned. It’s just beautifully done.”

Each side has one bedroom and 1.5 bathrooms. But their finishes are slightly different. One unit has a Murphy bed on the lower level. Both have laundry facilities, efficient kitchens, and living space.

“It’s amazing how well-equipped they are for such a small space,” Shields says.

Modernist architect William Morgan built the unique units for himself in 1975. Based in Jacksonville, FL, Morgan created a variety of structures, including several that used the earth as either walls or a roof.

“When you go in, you’re amazed at how an architect had a small space, but it feels so cozy but kind of large,” Shields says.

The residences reveal themselves when you enter, Shields explains. The front door leads down a hallway to the bedroom, bathroom, and staircase. The curved stairs go down to the main living space, which has sliding glass doors that open to the outside.

“It all opens up, and you just walk straight out to the ocean. Right there is your ocean view,” Shields says. “There is a little area where you can sit or take a few steps down and walk to the beach. It’s probably 100 feet to the ocean.”

The current owners bought the property from the Morgan family in 2012 and made some updates.

“They completely refreshed, renovated, and updated it,” Shields says. “Everything is in really good shape, and they added the oceanside rooftop decks.”

The area leading up to the decks is grass, which means someone will need to mow the roof.

The furnishings are included in the sale, Shields says.

“We hope that somebody will keep it as it is,” she continues. “The worst-case scenario would be if someone wants to tear it down and have the lot, but we hope that that doesn’t happen. Our hope and dream is that somebody wants to keep it because it is an icon. It’s an incredible property.”