forums
new posts
donate
UER Store
events
location db
db map
search
members
faq
terms of service
privacy policy
register
login




Location DB > United States > West Virginia > Charleston > Top O Rock
 Name
Top O Rock
 Viewing Options
Log in to activate viewing options
 Database Info
created by Turd Furgusen on 12/27/2012 2:18 PM
last modified by Kurt on 12/25/2018 4:59 PM
 Viewability
Publically Viewable Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled as Demolished, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 Overview
 Description
*Demolished in September 2015*

This is a massive home/studio sitting on 4 acres. It is six stories and nearly 4,000 square feet. The home is divided into two sections (that do not connect on the inside). It was built in 1968 on a site that no one thought was possible for anything, a rocky outcropping overlooking the Kanawha River occupied by large old-growth oak trees. Henry Elden proved everyone wrong and built this unique structure literally around the existing natural features of the rocky outcropping, including the trees! The studio section is on the outward part of the outcropping and is almost 5 stories tall. The bottom two floors are open and are mainly structural support/storage. The third floor is and equipment floor. The top two floors are open and are basically one huge open room, with a small storage room and male/female restrooms. All floors are connected by a metal spiral staircase. The home portion is two floors and somewhat small once you get in. It is long and narrow. The two floors are connected by a large circular room with a winding staircase. The bottom floor is a large kitchen and some additional rooms. The top floor is a few small bedrooms and bathrooms. I did not see anything that struck me as a "master bedroom". The whole place screams state-of-the-art 1960's design. Every single room in the home features floor to ceiling windows. The whole home is surrounded by quite a bit of decking, one portion jutting out and encircling a very large oak tree appx. 30' above the ground!
 Basic Information
Type: Building
Status: Demolished
Accessibility: Difficult
Recommendation: worth the trip
 Physical Information
Address
Private Drive
Charleston, West Virginia
United States
Owner: Dr. Mitchell Rashid
 Hazards
  • rust
  • unsafe flooring
  •  Interesting Features
    The studio portion of this house is HUGE and among other things features a live oak tree that the house was constructed around which grows out of the roof. In addition to the oak tree the studio portion of the home was also constructed around an existing rock outcropping that Henry turned into a functioning indoor waterfall!
     Security Measures
  • fences
  • part-time guard
  • locked gates
  •  Historical Dates
    Built: 1968
    Closed: 2009
     Required Equipment
  • flashlight
  • head protection
  • long pants / sleeves
  •  Recommended Equipment

     History
    This distinctive house/studio was designed and built by noted architect Henry Elden. It was designed to not only be his showcase home, but also to serve as his office/studio. The home won numerous awards and was featured in magazine articles and a television show. Henry was very proud of his home and liked to show it off. For a long time it was always available to be rented for weddings, parties, or other special events. Henry passed away in 2009 at age 94, and his former home has sat empty ever since. The house was left to his children who held a massive estate sale. The house was then sold to a local Doctor. It remains unclear what plans he has for the house.


    Top-O-Rock was demolished in 2015
     Media Coverage
    http://www.toporock.net/
    http://charlestond.../News/201107281408
    http://www.abodia....re/lease_party.htm

    Demolition
    http://wvpress.org...o-rock-demolished/
     Future Plans
    The house has mixed residential/business zoning. The Dr. who purchased the house has not announced any future plans at this time. It sits empty, and unfortunately deteriorating at this time.
     Stories
    The "Round House"
    Thu, Dec 27th, 2012
    posted by Turd Furgusen


    Add your own story
     Photo Galleries
    Click to view gallery
    Historical Photos
    Thu, Dec 27th, 2012
    posted by Turd Furgusen
    5 pictures
    Click to view gallery
    Current
    Wed, Jan 2nd, 2013
    posted by Turd Furgusen
    20 pictures


    Add your own photos

    Mark all galleries as Seen
     Web Links
    Video tour of Top O Rock from 2010:
    http://www.youtube...atch?v=n8lrTKDLKt4
    Gallery of photos of the home set up for a reception:
    http://www.abodia.com/0/82/master.html
     Contribute

    Edit this Location
     Moderator Rating
    The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.

    This location has not yet been rated by a moderator.
     Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Emperor Wang on 12/26/2018 2:05 AM.

     Latest Changes
  • on Dec 26 18 at 2:05, Emperor Wang validated this location
  • on Dec 25 18 at 16:59, Kurt changed the following: History, Status, Media Coverage, Description
  • on Jan 20 13 at 16:47, Opheliaism validated this location
  • on Jan 2 13 at 18:52, Turd Furgusen updated gallery picture FH000004.JPG
  • on Jan 2 13 at 2:41, Turd Furgusen made this location available
  • on Jan 2 13 at 2:41, Turd Furgusen updated a story
  • on Jan 2 13 at 2:40, Turd Furgusen updated the main picture
  • on Jan 2 13 at 2:39, Turd Furgusen updated gallery picture FH000023.JPG
  • on Jan 2 13 at 2:38, Turd Furgusen updated gallery picture FH000021.JPG
  • on Jan 2 13 at 2:36, Turd Furgusen updated gallery picture FH000014.JPG
  •  Forum Threads about this Location
    New Thread
     SubjectStarted ByRepliesViewsLast Post
    You must log in for this feature to work.Location Heavily Vandalized, likely to be demolished!Turd Furgusen11515/9/2014 6:07 PM by Turd Furgusen
     Who's been looking?
    Click here to see who'se been looking.
     Report Problems
    Is this location inappropriate / broken / missing key info?
  • If it's something you can fix, please scroll up and click the EDIT button.
  • If this location was only posted a few days ago, give the creator time to work on it.
  • Please try sending a message directly to the creator of the location. You'll find that info at the top of this page.
  • Otherwise, ONLY if you've already tried to contact the original creator,: Click here to notify an administrator.



  • All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
    To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site: UER CONTACT
    View Terms of Service | View Privacy Policy | Server colocation provided by Beanfield
    This page was generated for you in 78 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 737103331 pages have been generated.