240 S. Crest Estate
240 S. Crest Estate
240 S. Crest Estate
240 S. Crest Estate
240 S. Crest Estate
240 S. Crest Estate
240 S. Crest Estate
The Bud Seretean mansion on Missionary Ridge - a Levitt original - is on the market.
Savannah Marshall of Chattanooga Property Shop - Keller Williams Realty said, "Steven Spielberg, Dean Martin, Olivia Newton John and Lionel Richie are among the Hollywood elite who lived luxurious lives in an original “Levitt” residence. Easily identified by expansive glass surfaces, surprising entryways, and an obscure boundary between the interior and exterior, Levitts reflect the premier design philosophies of mid-century Los Angeles architect Harold “Hal” W. Levitt. A majority of the residences designed by Levitt during his forty-eight year career can be found in the western part of the country, specifically in Beverly Hill’s Trousdale Estates.
"However, one of Levitt’s only creations in the eastern United States can be found on Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga. In 1970, M.B. “Bud” Seretean, a mid-century Chattanooga businessman, co-founder of Coronet Industries and one-time president and general manager of the Atlanta Hawks hired Levitt to design his personal residence after seeing the estate he designed for Dean Martin. Sitting upon the largest piece of property on Missionary Ridge, Levitt’s Chattanooga creation can be found within the gates of 240 South Crest Road.
"An approximate 19,000 square foot construction, the residence boasts a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and downtown Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain to the west, with tennis courts, a putting green, a paved walking path and a circular garden surrounding. Just through the towering, hand-carved front doors and foyer, a vast 4,000-square-foot solarium equipped with a swimming pool, diving board, reflecting pond and kitchen area is abundantly filled with live palm trees and other foliage. Around the corner, a formal living room with a gas fireplace neighbors the upper living room, home to a built-in bar and glass walls for a view of the solarium.
"Levitt’s luxurious modern design philosophy is evident throughout remainder of the space with seven bedrooms, twelve and a half bathrooms, cantilevered staircases, floor to ceiling windows, closets hidden by walnut woodwork, jacuzzi tubs, a library area with a sliding ladder and marble flooring and countertops.
"On the lowest level, a private apartment with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living area with its own garage is accessible from the interior and exterior. In recent years, Jennifer Aniston, the Olsen twins and Ellen DeGeneres have all purchased Levitts of their own."