Famous designer’s creative touches honored in Santa Fe home for sale

Famed artist and architect Alexander Girard lived and created in Santa Fe for many years before his death in 1993.

He lived in two homes during his 40-year stay in the City Different, one of which is on the market for $2.65 million.

The 7,340-square-foot, two-story home has five bedrooms, four full bathrooms and sits on under half an acre at 415 Camino Delora. Located on the east side of Santa Fe, the pueblo revival style home is walking distance from the Santa Fe Plaza and Canyon Road.

But it’s the former owner — well-known as a designer who worked for Herman Miller — who catches most people’s attention. Girard contributed more than 300 unique designs to the art and furniture worlds. His most notable New Mexico works include a mural at the First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque and a wing of folk art he collected and created at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe.

“He is a legend of mid-century design,” said Christine Sperber, the current owner of the home. Sperber bought the home in 2022, citing the location and connection to Girard as drivers for the purchase.

Sperber is a former World Cup snowboarder and the co-founder and chief experience officer of Modern Elder Academy, a midlife wisdom school with a campus in Santa Fe. Sperber said a divorce is what prompted her to list the home for sale in August for $2.99 million.

The home was pulled off the market in December so Sperber could host some holiday events. It was recently put back on the market, with the $300,000 price reduction, in March.

T.C. Warner-Stratton, one of the property’s listing agents of Sotheby’s International Realty, said the home had many showings during the fall and went under contract with a potential buyer almost immediately after being put back on the market, but that deal fell through.

Warner-Stratton, who is handling the listing with Sotheby’s Realtor Rebecca Holland, said the property is primarily drawing in creatives interested in its artistic history.

In addition to featuring “hints of Girard” throughout the home, the listing says, the space was once a festive gathering place for Girard’s friends, including designers Charles and Ray Eames and artist Georgia O’Keeffe.

“This is a house with many stories of lots of joy and good artists,” Warner-Stratton said.

The home — which has two primary suites on each level, a courtyard, office, sun room, studio and multiple fireplaces — features a “blend of Girard’s unique touches and modern upgrades,” the listing says.

While the home has undergone interior renovations from two sets of owners since Girard lived in it, it is still infused with features that Girard designed and implemented, including textile ceilings and walls adorned with nichos, hollowed-out spaces where art or decor is displayed.

Sperber said her favorite room is the living room, which, like most of the house, is filled with light. The owner said the amount of space the home has, especially being so close to the Santa Fe Plaza, is a rarity.

The light, aesthetic and history of the home has attracted many photo and film shoots, Sperber said. She added it’s been “gratifying” to steward and share the space and the importance of Girard’s legacy with others.

“I love this house. It has been the sweetest way to be in Santa Fe,” Sperber said.