Bob Vila, renowned for his work on TV shows like “This Old House,” has been actively involved in the Palm Beach real estate scene. His recent sale of a 1940s-era house at 345 Pendleton Ave. for $13.375 million has drawn significant attention.

Bob Vila's Palm Beach Real Estate Journey

Renovation and Ownership History

Bob Vila and his wife Diana Barrett purchased the house in December 2023 for $12.5 million. Since then, it underwent a modest renovation both inside and out. The traditional-style house now showcases many architectural signatures of its era, such as a gracefully curved staircase and generously proportioned rooms. The rear of the house features a covered patio overlooking the swimming pool set in an informal landscape.This house was built in 1940 by Arnold Construction Co. for jeweler Milton A. Ellen Fuller and his wife. Over the years, it passed through several owners, including Richard Collier and Leta Austin Foster. In 1965, Collier bought the house, and after 10 years, he sold it to the Fosters who had owned it for nearly 50 years before Vila and Barrett purchased it.

Sale Details and Agents Involved

The house at 345 Pendleton Ave. changed hands for $13.375 million on November 19, with Broker Christian Angle handling the sellers' side. He listed the house for $15.9 million at the end of May. Agents Paulette Koch and Dana Koch of the Corcoran Group represented the buyer. Angle and Dana Koch declined to comment about the sale.Meanwhile, on Everglades Island, Vila and Barrett's longtime home at 690 Island Drive is listed for sale at $39.9 million. Built in 1949 and remodeled and expanded by them, it has about 7,621 square feet of living space and stands on a four-fifths of an acre lot with 175 feet of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway. Agent Christian Angle holds the listing for this property.

Architectural Significance

The house at 345 Pendleton Ave. has Georgian Revival-style architecture and is a landmarked property. Granted landmark protection in 2022, the exterior cannot be significantly altered without the approval of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. It features beautiful architectural detailing throughout, described as elegant and historic.Volk drew up the plans for all the original houses on Pendleton Lane, and this house is no exception. It has many of the architectural signatures of Volk houses of its era, including French doors. Pendleton Lane, a cul-de-sac lined with vintage houses, is a few streets north of Royal Palm Way and is owned by the homeowners who maintain it.

Other Real Estate Ventures

In 2015, Reed Krakoff sold a five-bedroom Modernist-style house at 1480 N. Ocean Blvd. for $6.95 million. Paulette Koch and Dana Koch handled the seller's side, with Todd F. Peter representing the buyer.Bob Vila's real estate activities showcase his influence and involvement in the Palm Beach market, with various properties changing hands and leaving a mark on the local landscape.