The “Playboy” Aphrodisiac Apartments – Miles Stahm Architect

It’s 1965. You’ve just picked up your Jaguar XKE from Flint British Motors (the triple SU carb fed, 4.2 litre six pumping out over 250 BHP, the Perspex headlamp covers gleaming against the primrose yellow paint, you snug against the jet-black leather…) and you have ARRIVED. You know because your sales job at the Hi-Fi center has you rolling out Muntz Stereo-Pak tape cartridge auto-stereos at a fast pace that keeps you in ready cash AND a Playboy Club Key-card.

So where do you live? No question about it: one of the Bunnies (was it Jan, Jacque, or Molly?) turned you on to the ultra-mod and completely hip Scene: 1123 E. Maryland…The Aphrodisiac Apartments!

Flash forward a few decades and just imagine the history these fantastic condos hold.  Designed by Modernist Architect Miles Stahm and built in 1964 these were know as the ‘Aphrodisiac Lofts’ and were featured in the October 1965 issue of Playboy Magazine. Locally, they gained quite a reputation: many just called them the Playboy Apartments…

Each unit offers a generous 900 sq feet+- of MCM, and a serious dose of style and detail, much of which is intact. Consider features such as the dramatic double-volume living space, efficient open kitchen and a loft bedroom complete with curved walls. Most of the five units offered have been updated: Several retain the floating orb fireplace, sunken conversation pit and lava rock wall.

Be sure to read the 1965 Playboy article found in Photos.