QUICK SUMMARY
Peter McMahon restored Marcel Breuer's dilapidated modernist house in Wellfleet, acquiring it for $2 million with plans to open it to the public. Breuer's son, Tamas, agreed to delay the sale to allow the Cape Cod Modern House Trust to raise funds for the purchase. The home, a key piece of modernist architecture, had been neglected for 30 years before its renovation.
Peter McMahon led the restoration of Marcel Breuer's Wellfleet summer cottage, acquiring the property for $2 million through the Cape Cod Modern House Trust. Tamas Breuer, the architect's son, agreed to postpone the sale for a year to facilitate fundraising efforts. The house, designed in 1949, is a significant example of modernist architecture and part of Breuer's legacy as a member of The Harvard Five. After sitting empty for nearly 30 years, the structure required extensive renovations to comply with modern building codes, including the installation of smoke alarms and structural reinforcements. The team focused on historically accurate restorations, utilizing materials that mirrored the original design, such as Homasote walls and Marlite laminate. Breuer spent every summer at the cottage until his death in 1981, and his ashes are buried on the site. The renovations not only restore the physical structure but also aim to preserve its historical significance. McMahon emphasized the unique experience of the home's elevated design, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.