MODERN FEATURES, GUESTS PUT HOME ON HISTORICAL REGISTER
Built in 1959 by Antonio Morelli and his wife, Helen, the Morelli House was rehabilitated by the Junior League of Las Vegas because of its importance to midcentury architecture.
Measuring about 3,300 square feet, the ranch-style home was extremely modern for its time. Basically rectangular, the home is long and low; it has a flat roof that is covered with crushed white rock. Exposed redwood beams support wide eaves.
A highlight of the open floor plan is the wall of windows that spans the length of the great room and dining room, located between the kitchen and the master bedroom. The most prominent feature in the great room is the fireplace, which features a massive copper hood that extends to the ceiling and a raised, floating marble-topped hearth.
Appointed in redwood cabinets, the kitchen is a showcase for the home’s modern design. Appliances, including a double oven, stove top and bun warmer, are built in, as is a corner cabinet with a lazy Susan, spice rack, towel holders and mixer stand. With the exception of a dishwasher, all of the copper-colored appliances in the home are original.
Throughout the house, storage space has been incorporated into the walls that divide rooms.
The master bedroom and bathroom also feature built-in conveniences including a panel that operates lights and the intercom system from the bed. A main feature in the master bath is the sunken tiled shower/tub and built-in sink so that Morelli didn’t have to stoop while brushing his teeth.
Morelli served as orchestra conductor and music director for the Sands hotel. His home was often frequented by stars of the era, who socialized and rehearsed there.
The Morellis lived in the home until his death in 1974.
The house was placed on Nevada’s Register of Historical Places in 2002 and named to the city of Las Vegas’ historic register earlier this year.
By HALI BERNSTEIN SAYLOR