Hallcraft home updated for new era
$100,000 was spent to restore Scottsdale home to Midcentury feel
A ton of work, $100,000 and no regrets.
Karl Freund said his 1958 Scottsdale Hallcraft house was well worth the expensive — and extensive — renovation he gave it.
The house, in Scottsdale Estates near Hayden and Osborn roads, had good bones. But a great deal of work was necessary to bring the 1,500 square feet up to its full potential. Freund restored it to its Midcentury feel and added modern amenities.
Hallcraft homes were a key part of the Valley’s post-World War II housing boom, and the builder was among the first to offer mass-produced houses and townhouses.
“The home has detail and personality,” Freund said. “While it’s a Hallcraft home — which was a true cookie-cutter home — it’s been transformed into a custom home that will age timelessly.” This didn’t come easily. Freund, a Realtor, put in a lot of time and effort finding the right team, coming up with the right plans, and staying on top of the work. The renovation took three months, and just finished in December.
“First, the floor plan was completely opened up, and the kitchen was pivoted to the back wall, which allowed for the addition of an inside laundry room with tankless water heater and a pantry, which these homes all lack,” Freund said. “We also expanded the tiny master bathroom into a spa like-retreat which includes both a shower and bathtub.”
Another creative move enhanced the master suite by using space from a hall closet for a walk-in closet.
The guest bathroom was expanded by reclaiming the area that was previously used by the heating/ventilation and AC system and the water heater. These changes allowed for a larger vanity and a big walk-in shower.
The house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and features periodcorrect fixtures, Midcentury-styled doors, a large picture window in the living room and modern updates such as automated LED lighting and a touchscreen refrigerator. The wall texture throughout the house was smooth coated to give a modern feel.
It was important to Freund to marry the best of the old with the best of the new.
“The home is much more energy efficient now with the addition of insulated walls, additional attic insulation, dualpane windows, the tankless water heater, light-colored exterior paint to reflect heat and smart-home functions,” he said.
The backyard features artificial turf, water-efficient landscaping and a sundeck.
“The exterior is one of my favorite parts of the home with a custom garage door, and the garage itself is so well finished that it could be an extension of the interior,” Freund said.
A renovation that extensive is always a challenge, but overall it went well, according to Freund. He adores the house.
“There are a lot of reasons why I love 80th Place,” he said. “First and foremost is the master bathroom. It’s huge with a double sink and a tub/shower combo with a ton of natural light. The backyard is epic with a sun deck and a spot for a fire pit. The home is seriously amazing for entertaining with the wide open floor plan.”