Hidden Cleveland: Monticello Modern

Yeah, that’s a tree sticking out of the house at Monticello Boulevard and Burlington Road in Cleveland Heights. But this isn’t some twist of Mother Nature. Architect Albert J. Sgro built the home in 1954, incorporating the tree and a dose of Frank Lloyd Wright inspiration into the design. Current owner Pete Grebus, who bought the home in 2013, walks us through its flourishes.

Wright-inspired: Sgro designed the home in Wright’s style, featuring flat roofs, open floor plans and floor-to-ceiling windows in the back. “That’s part of the Usonian design,” says Grebus. “Closed off in the front, but in the back it’s all windows.” Tree house: The original pin oak tree in the home’s interior courtyard died during construction. A replacement, planted after the home was completed, makes quite a racket when it drops acorns during the fall. “It’s above our bedroom,” he says. “And when the wind blows, it feels like someone threw a bag of marbles on the roof.” Built-in benefits: The home is filled with another Wright feature: built-in benches, shelving and cabinetry. But Grebus’ favorite is the fireplace, which is suspended by two steel beams that run the length of the house. “It’s freestanding, and it’s functional,” he says. Monticello Boulevard, Cleveland Heights