70s time capsule home up for auction

My Dad worked for the owners of his home, Roger Weidman of Wideman's Metal Masters. He worked there after he was laid off from Boeing, just before he died. He did some work in this home, and used to tell us how grand it was.

My dad was a welder by trade, he did the stainless steel work above the fireplace.

This Wichita estate is the ultimate '70s time capsule, and it could be yours

By Matt Riedl

April 02, 2018 05:01 PM

Updated 1 hour 39 minutes ago

The iron gates along 55th Street cordon off the Weidman estate from Wichita's curious masses.

Just inside those gates is a 7,000-square-foot home set well back from the street.

The brick home has an imposing metal roof �X and, just outside, a detached 5,500-square-foot garage perfect for any hobbyist welder.

It's industrial-looking on the outside, sure, but on the inside?

We've confirmed Burt Reynolds has never lived there, but he would probably dig the place.

The home at 2900 W. 55th Street South, completed in 1975, is a '70s paradise �X from the floor-to-ceiling rock-and-chrome fireplace, to the green toilet, to the saloon doors leading from the bedroom to the bathroom.

The "statement-making home" was built in 1975 to be the private residence of Roger Weidman and his wife, Marion. The two were owners of Weidman Metal Masters in Wichita.

Roger Weidman died in November, preceded in death by his wife. His estate is selling the home at auction as a benefit for the Wichita Community Foundation.

"It's just one of a kind," said Braden McCurdy, chief executive officer at McCurdy Auction, which is auctioning the property on April 21. "He was a man with a vision �X a lot of cool vision."

It's a blend of industrial and 1970s chic.

Its kitchen has standard appliances, sure �X but it also has a commercial-grade fryer, griddle, grill and heat lamps, as well as a 5-foot-long walk-in freezer. The dining-room has a Thermador wall toaster installed above one long booth.

And if you get thirsty, there's no need to walk all the way to the sink for a glass of water: there's a full-size drinking fountain installed beside the fridge.

On the second floor, accessible either via an elevator or stairs, there are phones in both of the bathrooms, along with heat lights and skylights.

Plenty of '70s-style carpets and cabinets remain in the house, though McCurdy said the home has been well-maintained through the years.

"Many would argue there may be some cosmetic updates needed in terms of style, but to him, that's the way he planned it Day One," McCurdy said. "It's a pretty incredible opportunity for somebody to come in and maybe they love the style he has or maybe they decide to change it.

"That ultimately will be determined by the last hand in the air that day."

In all, the property is more than 36 acres, including a private lake (with a dock equipped with a diving board). It's being offered both together and separately in three parcels.

Money from the home auction will be donated to several local charities through the Wichita Community Foundation.

The unique home has been drawn attention both locally and nationally �X Realtor.com recently listed it as the second-most-popular listing in the country for the week of March 23.

McCurdy said he thinks there's a "little bit of mystique behind the property."

"The iron gates, the fencing, the cedar trees have this property extremely private," he said. "People don't even realize what's back there as they drive down 55th Street."

The home will be auctioned at 10 a.m. April 21 at 2900 W. 55th Street South.

Want to see it in person? There's an open house planned from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5.

For more information, visit www.mccurdyauction.com....

Read more here: www.kansas.com/news/local/article...

CLICK HERE TO GO TO Iheartmaytag's LINK


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Post# 989269 4/3/2018 at 07:47 (2,207 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes 1 My Dad worked for the owners of his home, Roger Weidman of Wideman's Metal Masters. He worked there after he was laid off from Boeing, just before he died. He did some work in this home, and used to tell us how grand it was. My dad was a welder by trade, he did the stainless steel work above the fireplace. This Wichita estate is the ultimate '70s time capsule, and it could be yours By Matt Riedl April 02, 2018 05:01 PM Updated 1 hour 39 minutes ago The iron gates along 55th Street cordon off the Weidman estate from Wichita's curious masses. Just inside those gates is a 7,000-square-foot home set well back from the street. The brick home has an imposing metal roof �X and, just outside, a detached 5,500-square-foot garage perfect for any hobbyist welder. It's industrial-looking on the outside, sure, but on the inside? We've confirmed Burt Reynolds has never lived there, but he would probably dig the place. The home at 2900 W. 55th Street South, completed in 1975, is a '70s paradise �X from the floor-to-ceiling rock-and-chrome fireplace, to the green toilet, to the saloon doors leading from the bedroom to the bathroom. The "statement-making home" was built in 1975 to be the private residence of Roger Weidman and his wife, Marion. The two were owners of Weidman Metal Masters in Wichita. Roger Weidman died in November, preceded in death by his wife. His estate is selling the home at auction as a benefit for the Wichita Community Foundation. "It's just one of a kind," said Braden McCurdy, chief executive officer at McCurdy Auction, which is auctioning the property on April 21. "He was a man with a vision �X a lot of cool vision." It's a blend of industrial and 1970s chic. Its kitchen has standard appliances, sure �X but it also has a commercial-grade fryer, griddle, grill and heat lamps, as well as a 5-foot-long walk-in freezer. The dining-room has a Thermador wall toaster installed above one long booth. And if you get thirsty, there's no need to walk all the way to the sink for a glass of water: there's a full-size drinking fountain installed beside the fridge. On the second floor, accessible either via an elevator or stairs, there are phones in both of the bathrooms, along with heat lights and skylights. Plenty of '70s-style carpets and cabinets remain in the house, though McCurdy said the home has been well-maintained through the years. "Many would argue there may be some cosmetic updates needed in terms of style, but to him, that's the way he planned it Day One," McCurdy said. "It's a pretty incredible opportunity for somebody to come in and maybe they love the style he has or maybe they decide to change it. "That ultimately will be determined by the last hand in the air that day." In all, the property is more than 36 acres, including a private lake (with a dock equipped with a diving board). It's being offered both together and separately in three parcels. Money from the home auction will be donated to several local charities through the Wichita Community Foundation. The unique home has been drawn attention both locally and nationally �X Realtor.com recently listed it as the second-most-popular listing in the country for the week of March 23. McCurdy said he thinks there's a "little bit of mystique behind the property." "The iron gates, the fencing, the cedar trees have this property extremely private," he said. "People don't even realize what's back there as they drive down 55th Street." The home will be auctioned at 10 a.m. April 21 at 2900 W. 55th Street South. Want to see it in person? There's an open house planned from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5. For more information, visit www.mccurdyauction.com.... Read more here: www.kansas.com/news/local/article... CLICK HERE TO GO TO Iheartmaytag's LINK

Post# 989272 , Reply# 1 4/3/2018 at 08:46 (2,207 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes *Better pictures available on Realator.com* These pictures show the main kitchen. CLICK HERE TO GO TO Iheartmaytag's LINK

Post# 989286 , Reply# 2 4/3/2018 at 10:41 (2,207 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)
Checkrate/Likes 6 Wow! To me it highlights the worst of the 70's bad design era. I don't honestly know how you'd make that vast space liveable. Interesting that they showcased the out building before the main house.

Post# 989289 , Reply# 3 4/3/2018 at 11:10 (2,207 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)
Checkrate/Likes 1 I agree with Matt. The only thing that I found slightly tolerable was the party room's kitchen.

Post# 989301 , Reply# 4 4/3/2018 at 11:55 (2,207 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes I understand when furnished, it was quite grand. My Dad died in '75, about the time the house was finished, they had actually been working on it for several years prior to that. The welder's garage, was built first, if I remember so that much of the fabrication could be done on site. Since Mr Weidman owned the business and the house, it didn't matter who was the client, so much of the metal fabrication was done by his own work force.

Post# 989303 , Reply# 5 4/3/2018 at 12:31 (2,207 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Definitely not a cookie-cutter home; one-of-a-kind! But..... That YUGE room with the 19' ceiling and the kitchen with the fluorescent lighting and warming lights over the counter give me the impression of a church gymnasium. Maybe it did look completely different when it was occupied (and furnished), but my overall impression can be summed up in one word - cold. BTW, nice stainless over the fireplace. lawrence

Post# 989304 , Reply# 6 4/3/2018 at 12:35 (2,207 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *I Love the 70s Look Most of the Time* "It's a blend of industrial and 1970s chic." But these elements don't work together in my mind. Still I really love places like this where people just designed things for themselves, everyone else and resale be damned.

Post# 989320 , Reply# 7 4/3/2018 at 14:10 (2,207 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Reminds me of a banquet hall or some other place a reception or party would be held.

Post# 989338 , Reply# 8 4/3/2018 at 16:26 (2,207 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )
Checkrate/Likes 5 It's butt fuging ugly inside..the living room looks like a rental party hall or church gym addition.

Post# 989341 , Reply# 9 4/3/2018 at 16:52 (2,207 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)
Checkrate/Likes 2 I'd buy it, keep the garage / workshop for a garage / workshop / laundry room.... level the house and build something better looking and more livable......... assuming it's not on the national registry for hysterical landmarks.

Post# 989368 , Reply# 10 4/3/2018 at 22:58 (2,206 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)
Checkrate/Likes Seems like it needs a wrecking ball. I just couldn't get past how dirty everything looks and I think it was that awful color scheme more so than the fact that everything was dirty. I am curious how well it cools in the summer though. I can just picture that massive room turning into a sauna during a party in July.

Post# 989398 , Reply# 13 4/4/2018 at 07:42 (2,206 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *What I predict will happen* A real-estate investor will buy it, parcel it out and build a housing development. The original house will be turned into the clubhouse for the housing community. High dollar HoAs will be charged, and everyone will end up happy.

Post# 989434 , Reply# 15 4/4/2018 at 13:53 (2,206 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)
Checkrate/Likes *I usually like dated* Maybe if you got rid of the fluorescent ceiling fixtures and ugly cabinets. I do like the wall mounted toilets, I always wanted those for easy cleaning.

Post# 989373 , Reply# 11 4/3/2018 at 23:58 (2,206 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)
Checkrate/Likes UGLY!!!!Looks more like some sort of commercial building than a house.The 3 ph service is sort of nice,but would be expensive.You would have to use the place as a business to make the 3 ph service pay for itself.Agree with some here-the place should come down and build something better.Builldoze,r-demolition excavator READY!!!

Post# 989396 , Reply# 12 4/4/2018 at 07:13 (2,206 days old) by retro-man (- boston,ma)
Checkrate/Likes All in all it looks like a rental hall like others have said. I especially would never have my front doors looking like you are entering into a commercial building leading into my living room. Those have no place in this "home". Jon

Post# 989430 , Reply# 14 4/4/2018 at 13:16 (2,206 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes 1 I like the six bay laundry cottage and the Thermador toaster at the kitchen table.

Post# 989502 , Reply# 16 4/4/2018 at 23:52 (2,205 days old) by neptunebob (Pittsburgh, PA)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *It should be a vocational school* Or as they say now, a "career and technical learning center". It has the facilities to teach auto technology, welding and fabrication, culinary arts, masonry (yes, in the living room with that big fireplace!), cosmetology, horticulture, and possibly more!