Art and soul: Artist poured his creativity into Wilton Manors home

A one-of-a-kind home in Wilton Manors owned by an upcycle artist and designer is in itself a work of art.

Michael Jude Russo has poured his creativity into the 1,386-square-foot property, and is selling it with most of the sculptures and art on display in the house, studio and gardens.

The two-bedroom, two-bath house at 401 NE 26^th Drive was built in 1957 and is listed for $1.19 million. Russo bought it for $350,000 in 2004 and spent four years remodeling it, converting the house and grounds into a gallery-like setting that showcases his work.

“As an artist, I have a lot of creative ideas,” said Russo. “This was a wonderful project, and it would be a good feeling to have someone else appreciate all the things that are incorporated in this property.”

Russo said he plans to buy another house in Wilton Manors.

The single-story home, which is gated, has a connected two-story studio that was converted from a garage. There’s also a saltwater pool and fountains, and a manmade river that meanders through the frontyard of the quarter-acre property. The house features tropical garden views from its glass walls, which slide open to allow the seamless integration of interior and exterior.

“Michael was not only the designer and architect of the house, he also has a lot of furniture in the house that he designed to create the environment this house represents,” said Ginger Hornaday, a global real-estate advisor at ONE Sotheby’s International Realty in Fort Lauderdale, who holds the listing. “To take the furniture out would be kind of disassembling the art proposition of the property, so he’s leaving quite a few pieces in the house.”

The property is in a neighborhood called Sunset Manors. “In the last 10 to 15 years, there’s been a gentrification and resurgence of Wilton Manors,” Hornaday said. “What makes Sunset Manors special is larger lots and mature vegetation.”

“I’ve lived here for about 15 years, and the transformation of Wilton Manors is just unbelievable,” added Russo.

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