This Kit House Might be My Favorite

People often ask me what my favorite kit house is. I might have to go with the Bristol from Gordon-Van Tine. One is currently for sale in Berlin, Wisconsin, and it’s a beauty—inside and out. Let’s take a look.

164  N. State Street, Berlin, Wisconsin. Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory.

 
   

The Bristol, as shown in the 1935 Gordon-Van Tine catalog.

This Bristol was built between 1935 and 1940, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society. Researcher Dale Wolicki notes that Gordon-Van Tine sold the Bristol from 1932 to 1947, which is a remarkably long run for a kit house model.

The design reflects the French Norman style, which was popular in the United States between World War I and World War II. The Bristol is just one-and-a-half stories, with a steeply pitched hipped roof that is characteristic of the style. The limestone cladding is typical of Wisconsin homes, adding regional character to this nationally marketed design.

Older photo of the house.  The Bristol is L-shaped and has a conical-roofed
entrance located at the juncture of its two wings. Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory.

 

Side and rear view of the house. A massive stone chimney—another hallmark of the French Norman style. Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory.

The house in Berlin is a contributing property to the Nathan Strong Park Historic District.

The Bristol was a single-story house but its high roofline accommodates the cathedral ceiling in the living room. The house in Wisconsin has been modified—it now includes a staircase off the living room and bedrooms on an upstairs floor. Gordon-Van Tine did offer buyers the option to finish the attic, but using the attic stairs as indicated on the original floor plan. 

There are two arches in the turreted entry. One leads to the dining room...

... and the other leads to the living room.

Impressive molding and architectural detail in the living room. Wrought iron was a common feature of French Norman homes. The staircase is not part of the standard Bristol floor plan..

 

The same living room, as shown in the 1936 Gordon-Van Tine catalog. There's a fireplace in the living room of the Wisconsin Bristol, but unfortunately we do not have a photo of it. 

Another view shows the vaulted ceiling and open staircase. 

 

The catalog reads: "Can you imagine a more cheerful room than this corner dining room with 

its three casement sash and three windows?"

Is the chandelier original? Hard to say—but it fits the space perfectly. 

 

This is the linen closet off the center hallway on the first floor.

 

 

The house was originally built by August Voeltner, a general contractor. It’s unclear whether he or his family ever lived there or whether he built it for a customer. Gordon-Van Tine operated a sales office in Madison, about 75 miles south.

August Voeltner.

Other Bristols in the Area

1503 Baker St., Streator.  That's the teeniest dormer I've ever seen! Photo courtesy of David Daruszka of Creative Media Wizards, Chicago.

427 W. Park, Libertyville. 

Copyright Disclaimer: All photographs in this post (unless otherwise noted) are from real estate aggregate Redfin.com and are used in this post for the purposes of education, consistent with 17 USC §107.