Listed for $3.7M, Bauhaus-inspired mansion in Montclair feels like a 'tree house'

Tucked among the grand and historic homes that line Montclair's South Mountain Avenue is a modern mansion with sleek lines and seamless functionality that stands out from the rest.

On the market for $3.7 million, the home at 251 South Mountain Ave. was created by AIA architect Barry Jay Kaplan and designed by Satomi Yoshida-Katz of Yoshida+Zanon Design Atrium. The style of the home was inspired by Bauhaus, a style of German design that uses geometric shapes and industrial materials, and prioritizes function, accessibility and seamlessness in the home.

"The previous owner of the house had bought this lot and basically tore down the little home that was here and decided to build this Bauhaus-principle home that's super modern," said listing agent Ana Simon of Brown Harris Stevens. "It's perfect for someone who is hoping to be in an established neighborhood that would prefer the look of something new. That's what makes it extra special."

Built in 2017, this five-bedroom, six-bathroom home boasts 5,696-square-feet of living space on 0.43 acres of land. On the first floor you'll find a living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a fireplace, a kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, a bedroom and a laundry room. There are four en suite bedrooms and a family room with a gas fireplace on the second floor, a walk-out basement with 11-foot ceilings and a heated three-car garage.

Simon said the home was also built with smart home technology, so just about everything can be controlled through an app, including opening the shades and unlocking the doors. And while the home does not have New York City views, she said there are sweeping treetop vistas visible from most rooms, making the Montclair home "feel like it's a tree house."

"The architect designed this house for his daughter specifically. So he made sure to use all the finest materials and use an amazing interior designer," she said. "There was real thought and care taken when choosing and laying out this home."

Another highlight of the property is the fact that it has been used as the set of ad campaigns for several high-end brands, Simon said. Among those who have filmed in the house include Eli Tahari, H&M, Kith, What Goes Around Comes Around — a secondhand, vintage Chanel store in New York City — and Brooke Shields for True Botanicals skincare, just to name a few.

"The current owner is really into fashion. So she offered up her home through different sites to high-end luxury brands for their ads because the home has these amazing views and these really long, tall windows," she said. "It's sort of like a blank canvas and it lends itself to any style of photo shoot or campaign."

In terms of its location, the property is just minutes away from Nishuane Park and Eagle Rock Reservation. The home is also about a mile away from Bloomfield Avenue and Montclair's downtown area, and is close to nearby West Orange.

"Montclair is really the most popular suburb that draws a lot of people from Brooklyn and Manhattan. It's sort of the next destination for people that want a little bit more peace and quiet, but still want to enjoy that urban lifestyle," Simon said. "There's really a little bit of everything."

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay , on X @maddiemcgayy , and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett .

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Listed for $3.7M, Bauhaus-inspired mansion in Montclair feels like a 'tree house'