HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 4 - 2017 Heritage Award
City of Edina 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Krystal Caron, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0347 kcaron@EdinaMN.gov EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Johnson-Anton Residence Receives 2017 Heritage Award
Edina, Minn., May 6, 2017 – The City of Edina Heritage Preservation Commission awarded Nancy Johnson
and Paul Anton the 2017 Heritage Award for commitment to preserving the historic character of their home,
located at 5133 Mirror Lakes Drive. The Edina Heritage Award is given to individuals, families, companies or
organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and
use of Edina’s heritage resources.
The Johnson-Anton Residence is a mid-century modern home that was designed by Robert Cerny and built in
1951. It sits on two-thirds of an acre in the Highland Hills Neighborhood. Three segments of the house wrap
around a heavily wooded hill with a rear wall that is almost completely windowed. There are several unique
elements that still exist today, including 14 clerestory windows connecting roofs set in different angles that
allow for natural light throughout the home, exterior walls punctuated by windows and wide eaves on all
elevations, mahogany doors throughout the house, three large mahogany closets and a wall of built-in
bookshelves.
“Our aim has been to preserve the mid-century modern features of the house while modernizing elements to
improve contemporary livability,” said Anton. “We didn’t know anything about this award when we started;
we did all of this out of love of the house. We’re really pleased to be able to preserve something that is
important to Edina and is part of Edina’s heritage.”
Johnson and Anton purchased the home in 2014 and spent over five months planning for interior and exterior
improvements that would be sensitive to Cerny’s original design. Some of the numerous projects they
undertook included replacing the antiquated lighting system with LED strips; remodeling kitchen and
bathrooms, while protecting the original exterior window patterns; and adding light wells to a third of the
back side of the house to add natural light.
“In this day and age when people are quick to purchase older homes and tear them down to build new, the
Heritage Preservation Commission would like to commend Nancy Johnson and Paul Anton for the interest
they have taken to research and preserve Robert Cerny’s design style, creating a home that stays true to Mr.
Cerney’s vision while improving the home’s contemporary livability,” said Senior Planner Joyce Repya when
presenting the award at the May 2 City Council Meeting.
For more information about the Heritage Award, contact Repya at 952-826-0462 or jrepya@EdinaMN.gov.
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