There were only 15 Vision-Aire homes (also known as “Bird Cage” houses) built by the late architect Glenn Q. Johnson in the early 1950s. Now one is currently up for grabs in South Pinellas Point.
Located at 736 69th Ave. S, in the Bay Vista Park development, the home was completed in 1954 for local investment banker Hugh Hill, and though it’s unclear exactly home many are still left, it’s certainly one of the last remaining “Bird Cages” in the area.
Johnson’s distinct Vision-Aire design was inspired by dwellings he came across while on tour in the Philippines during WWII, and are perfectly suited for Florida’s hot, humid climate.
They’re all a little different, but Johnson’s homes typically have the some common characteristics. To better catch the breeze, Vision-Aires’ living areas are almost always positioned to face southeast. They also usually feature triangular floor plans, large screened in patios and big overhangs, heavy concrete floors, and interior walls built as glass or wood jalousies for better airflow and ventilation.
Originally from Chicago, Johnson moved to Pinellas County in 1951 hoping to work on a Coquina Key development, which would eventually never come to fruition. Instead, Johnson linked up with designer and developer George Ely, and together they built 15 “Bird Cage” homes in Pinellas Point for around $15,000 and up.
Johnson also built seven “Bird Cage” homes in the Crystal River’s Picardy Village subdivision.
This particular “Bird Cage” comes with 2,311-square-feet of living space, as well as four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It also features vaulted cedar ceilings, Mexican tiling, an in-law suite, a one car garage, an oversized lagoon-style pool, a gas stove, and more, says the listing.
According to property records, the home last sold in 2013 for $268,000. Today, the current asking price is $900,000, and the listing agent is Monique Williams of Jay Alan Real Estate.
Williams told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that she will host open houses this weekend, Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 16-17 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Besides the “Bird Cages,” Johnson was responsible for quite a few notable projects in Pinellas County, including the St. Pete Beach Public Library, the North Shore Aquatic Center, the now demolished Snell Isle Shopping Center, 14 schools across Pinellas County, and the Pinellas County Judicial Building.
Johnson died in St. Petersburg in 1999.
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