Mid-century modern was more than the spare lines of the Sarasota School of Architecture or the ubiquitous concrete block ranch. Rich people built elegant custom homes in a variety of styles—and this waterfront home in Bradenton is a rare time capsule look into that period.

It was built in 1957 in a style that strongly suggests the Hollywood Regency look that was so popular in Los Angeles back in the day. Hollywood stars and interior decorators were great fans of the style, which had its roots in movie set design. (Think Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers films.)

The main design motif is the mansard roof, punctuated here and there with full-sized sliding glass doors opening to balconies with iron railings. The interior is remarkably refined and elegant: beautifully proportioned rooms with fine detailing and floors, a grand(ish) stairway, a formal dining room. There’s even a space suggesting that '50s classic: a rec room paneled in knotty pine. That’s in addition to the study, also paneled in wood.

The home is set on the river, on just over an acre. It has five bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths in 5,091 square feet. It even has a little beach. Like everything on the market these days, it’s already under contract. It will be interesting to see what the new owners do with this fabulous relic.

5948 Riverview Blvd. was listed at $2.3 million. For more info call Kathy Valente of Michael Saunders at (941) 685-6767.