PRICE IMPROVEMENT! Have you ever wanted to live in a Butterfly House (yes, you are looking at a butterfly roof!) - Your opportunity awaits! 1617 Shawnee is a dreamy, Mid-Century Modern, California-cool abode whose full potential has yet to be realized. This iconic home was created by Durham native, TW Wilkinson in 1957 and has been a show stopper ever since. Own a piece of Durham history (https://www.opendurham.org/buildings/1617-shawnee-street-alfred-henderson-king-house). A nice driveway leading you to the tall carport welcomes you home. Built-in, stone planter boxes are overflowing with beautiful flora. A gorgeous, custom-made metal handrail adorns the front steps - a special thank you to local artist, Andrew Preiss for this one-of-a-kind piece of art! Contemporary shapes and a variety of textures create allure before you even walk in the door. To prepare this home for the market we have given it fresh paint, inside and out. You'll open the deep green, solid wood front door and arrive on original parquet flooring overlooking the three secondary bedrooms and their bathroom on this, the top floor. To your left is a modest set of stairs guiding you to your main living level with solid floors and massive windows - natural light and nature views flood in. Your dining room is sizable and your family room is large. An attractive fireplace takes the stage and a recently painted upper deck gives you the outdoor space you need to grill and entertain. The kitchen has just been refreshed with quartz counters, revived cabinetry, and new stainless steel appliances. You'll notice the warm light streaming in from every direction. Our next floor offers a landing, the main suite, and the laundry/utility room with brand new water heater and a 1/2 bathroom. The main suite in huge! Two satisfactory closets and an improved en suite make this space feel fresh and private. You can exit this floor and pop outside through an unassuming addition and land on the lower deck. The basement floor offers a cozy, hip vibe. A checkerboard linoleum paints the floor where you have your den, second fireplace, large entertaining bar, and potential for a second kitchen-like entertaining space. The same enormous windows make you feel like you are at one with the environment. A tall, black storage unit conveys so that you can house your family games the moment you move in. This floor gives another access to the exterior and the paths that frame this special property. Outside is private and serene. A lovely walkway takes you from the front of your home to the wooded lot that conveys with this one (1609 Shawnee)! Your stroll takes you next to a sweet stream and over a bridge to a secret hideaway! The back yard is lush with established greenery and mature trees. The location is excellent! You are in the quieter section of the coveted Duke Park neighborhood with the larger lots! Across the street is a neighborhood owned 2-3 acre preserve where you can meander among the trees. The Duke Park trails and playground is just a short 8-10 minute stroll away! There is more potential, character, and charm at 1617 Shawnee Street than at any home you have seen in a while. Come, let your imagination run wild and tour this truly fantastic property today!
For sale
Price cut: $49K (11/14)
$750,000
1617 Shawnee St, Durham, NC 27701
4beds
2,922sqft
Est.:
Single Family Residence, Residential
Built in 1957
0.43 Acres Lot
$729,300 Zestimate®
$257/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
Attractive fireplaceTall carportNice drivewaySolid floorsButterfly roofOriginal parquet flooring
- 55 days |
- 2,462 |
- 195 |
Likely to sell faster than
Zillow last checked: 8 hours ago
Listing updated: December 09, 2025 at 07:47pm
Listed by:
Colleen Ellis 919-536-9545,
Keller Williams Elite Realty
Source: Doorify MLS,MLS#: 10128447
Tour with a local agent
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 3
- Full bathrooms: 2
- 1/2 bathrooms: 1
Heating
- Forced Air
Cooling
- Central Air
Appliances
- Included: Dishwasher, Dryer, Free-Standing Electric Range, Refrigerator, Stainless Steel Appliance(s), Washer
- Laundry: Laundry Room, Lower Level
Features
- Entrance Foyer, Open Floorplan, Quartz Counters, Separate Shower, Smooth Ceilings, Soaking Tub
- Flooring: Hardwood, Linoleum, Parquet
- Windows: Display Window(s)
- Basement: Finished, Walk-Out Access
- Number of fireplaces: 2
- Fireplace features: Basement, Family Room
Interior area
- Total structure area: 2,922
- Total interior livable area: 2,922 sqft
- Finished area above ground: 1,613
- Finished area below ground: 1,309
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 3
- Parking features: Attached Carport, Driveway
- Carport spaces: 1
- Uncovered spaces: 2
Features
- Levels: Quad-Level
- Patio & porch: Deck
- Exterior features: Storage
- Has view: Yes
- View description: Creek/Stream, Forest, Neighborhood
- Has water view: Yes
- Water view: Creek/Stream
Lot
- Size: 0.43 Acres
- Features: Back Yard, Gentle Sloping, Hardwood Trees, Landscaped, Native Plants, Private, Wooded
Details
- Parcel number: 0832228289
- Special conditions: Standard
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Contemporary
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence, Residential
Materials
- Stone, Vinyl Siding, Wood Siding
- Foundation: Combination
- Roof: Flat
Condition
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1957
Utilities & green energy
- Sewer: Public Sewer
- Water: Public
- Utilities for property: Cable Available, Electricity Connected, Phone Available, Sewer Connected, Water Connected, Underground Utilities
Community & HOA
Community
- Subdivision: Not in a Subdivision
HOA
- Has HOA: No
Location
- Region: Durham
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $257/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $621,098
- Annual tax amount: $6,156
- Date on market: 10/17/2025
- Road surface type: Asphalt
Estimated market value
$729,300
$693,000 - $766,000
$3,564/mo
Price history
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 11/14/2025 | Price change | $750,000-6.1%$257/sqft |
Source: | ||
| 10/17/2025 | Listed for sale | $799,000+77.6%$273/sqft |
Source: | ||
| 8/5/2019 | Sold | $450,000$154/sqft |
Source: | ||
| 6/19/2019 | Pending sale | $450,000$154/sqft |
Source: Inhabit Real Estate #2257995 Report a problem | ||
| 5/30/2019 | Price change | $450,000-6.2%$154/sqft |
Source: Inhabit Real Estate #2257995 Report a problem | ||
Public tax history
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,157 +24.3% | $621,098 +74.8% |
| 2024 | $4,955 +6.5% | $355,223 |
| 2023 | $4,653 +2.3% | $355,223 |
Find assessor info on the county website
BuyAbility℠ payment
Est. payment
$4,285/mo
Principal & interest
$3572
Property taxes
$450
Home insurance
$263
Climate risks
Neighborhood: Duke Park
Nearby schools
GreatSchools rating
- 9/10Club Boulevard ElementaryGrades: K-5Distance: 0.8 mi
- 5/10Brogden MiddleGrades: 6-8Distance: 1.6 mi
- 3/10Riverside High SchoolGrades: 9-12Distance: 5 mi
Schools provided by the listing agent
- Elementary: Durham - Club Blvd
- Middle: Durham - Brogden
- High: Durham - Riverside
Source: Doorify MLS. This data may not be complete. We recommend contacting the local school district to confirm school assignments for this home.
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