Exploring the work of Julia Morgan, Albert Farr, and John Hudson Thomas—and what architectural pedigree really means for real estate value.

On a particularly warm September morning, approximately 40 members of Piedmont’s Walking on Wednesdays group gathered at the Exedra for an architectural tour I had the pleasure of leading through Upper Piedmont.

Our subject was some of the city’s most distinguished residential architecture, including homes designed by Julia Morgan, Albert Farr, John Hudson Thomas, and J. Francis Ward.

But rather than simply admire these remarkable properties, I wanted to explore a question that connects my interest in architecture with my work in real estate:

Does a home designed by a celebrated architect actually command a premium?

We examined seven architect-designed homes, considered their histories and defining architectural features, and compared their sales performance with the broader Piedmont market.

What emerged was a fascinating distinction between architectural significance and market value, and a reminder that what makes a home historically important isn’t always what makes it most desirable to today’s buyers.