The countryside home of Victor Horta, the prolific art nouveau architect, which he designed for himself in Belgium, is now going on the market, and it's seeking $5.04 million.
Designed by Horta in 1913, the 6-acre Belgian estate (photo) is found in the Brussels suburb of La Hulpe. The property encompasses two homes: "Bastide," which is a 11,000 square foot, seven-bedroom home found on the shores of Genval Lake. It also has a music room, a gym, and a sauna. Some art deco furniture is also included in Bastide.
Meanwhile, the other home dubbed "Conciergerie" is a 2,700 square foot, five-bedroom home originally intended for the caretaker and house staff.
In spite of its historic elements, the main house has unfortunately been left unattended for some decades, before Israeli cellist Mischa Maisky and his wife Kay Lipman bought it some time in the 1990s.
"It was basically raining in the house when we bought it, and many parts were damaged," recalled Lipman, who has since been divorced from Maisky and is helping with the sale of the home. Lipman also recalled that the family had spent a large amount of money to restore the house for three to four years.
As it turns out, Maisky and Lipman found out during renovations that Horta was also responsible for the landscape design on the home. Making use of the springs that flow through the property, Horta built tiled ponds, where Lipman claims the architect loved to swim in.
Since Lipman and Maisky divorced 13 years ago, the house has been left unoccupied the last few years. In fact, it was even used to shoot some scenes in a few films, like "La Dame dans l'Auto avec des Lunettes et un Fusil," directed by French filmmaker Joann Sfar.
The estate is currently being represented by French brokerage firm Emile Garcin Propriétés.