Live Like James Rouse: Howard County Dream Home

There's a piece of history on the market in Columbia, one that offers some of the best views of any lake in the city—James and Patricia Rouse's Wilde Lake home.

James Rouse was the founder of the Rouse Company and a noted developer who led the design of the city of Columbia, Fanueil Hall in Boston and indoor malls across the country, according to a biography in the Columbia Archives. Patricia Rouse married James in 1974 and later went on to co-found the Enterprise Foundation with him in 1982, noted her obituary.

The five-bedroom, five-bathroom house located at 10450 Waterfowl Terrace still has many of the design features the Rouse's added after they bought the home, such as a breakfast nook, clay tiles on the kitchen counters and around the wood burning fireplace, according to the Baltimore Sun.

The house was built in the 1960s for a Rouse Company executive, according to the Sun, and offers views of Wilde Lake from every room. It boasts a large deck on the back.

The Rouses moved into the home shortly after their marriage more than 38 years ago when they purchased it and the land for $95,000, according to the Sun.

Patty Rouse continued to live in the home after Jim died in 1996, but the family decided to sell it after Patty died in March, according to the article. 

In many ways, the house resembles the former Rouse Company Headquarters designed by Frank Gehry in Downtown Columbia with its extensive use of light, angled ceilings and waterfront views.

Today, the almost 4,000 square foot house is on the market for $795,000. The house has been on the market since late October 2012.

Although the house has many aging features that will likely need to be replaced—such as older appliances and nods to 1970s design—the floor to ceiling windows offer unobstructed views of Wilde Lake, according to a realtor interviewed by the Sun.

The house sits on a 1/3 acre lot, and has more than 100 feet of land adjoining the lakefront. The listing agency is Mohler and Gary Realtors LLC.