Rush Creek Village five-story midcentury modern gem gets social media buzz
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Worthington home built in 1962 has captured the attention of the social media account Zillow Gone Wild, which is known for celebrating the most fascinating homes on the market across the United States.
The posting, which took place on “mid-century Wednesday,” Zillow Gone Wild's designated day for mid-20th-century design, highlighted an incredible five-story residence located in historic Rush Creek Village at 230 E. South St.
“Happy Wednesday ???? We have never said this before, but here’s a near-perfect FIVE-LEVEL mcm in Worthington, OH, designed by architect Ted Van Fossen (Frank Lloyd Wright inspired), and is in 'one of Ohio’s most architecturally significant communes,' and it’s currently listed for ONLY $750,000? Are we moving to Worthington?? Are we worthy??? Hello?” the post read.
Architectural photographer and Rush Creek's resident historian, Jeffrey Horvath, shared more in-depth details about the house and neighborhood with NBC4. Horvath explained that the community of 50 homes was the brainchild of Martha and Richard Wakefield, who were heavily influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's “usonian” ideals. The Wakefields chose Van Fossen to make their “organic architecture” dream a reality.
The house, named the “Tower House” or “Turner House” after the original owners, is a stacked design, with an entry floor in the middle and bedrooms located above and below. Horvath called the property a “jewel box,” but noted the five-floor design and room configurations might not be for everyone.
Many comments on the Zillow Gone Wild post criticized the kitchen for being too small, but others appreciated the house's style and materials.
“With some Pledge and Windex, this will be a fantastic home,” wrote one person. “The listing on Zillow shows way more than the few photos here. The property is stunning.”
While the dwelling could use a good cleaning, Horvath also stated that it likely needs a full restoration that could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Although costly, he suggested it would be worthwhile to live in the neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places.
The real estate listing gave a few more insights into the home's offerings, describing its setting as a wooded half-acre with a stream and native landscaping. Owners would be able to enjoy indoor-outdoor living with patios, balconies, and two-story windows that fill the space with natural light. It boasts three bedrooms and two full bathrooms, as well as two gas fireplaces.
“The home's thoughtful design maximizes space, privacy, and comfort across its five levels,” the listing reads. “Every corner reveals a unique vantage point of the surrounding landscape, delivering a peaceful, nature-immersed experience year-round. This is more than a home, it's an iconic piece of living history in one of Ohio's most architecturally significant communities.”
Zillow Gone Wild began in 2020 as an Instagram account created by former BuzzFeed social media director Samir Mezreahi. It has since grown to more than one million followers across other platforms.