Entelechy II: John Portman’s $40m Personal Philosophy Project
When American architect John Portman started work on designing Entelechy II, he wasn’t just set on designing a summer vacation home, he was sculpting philosophy into glass and stucco. See, the concept of ‘entelechy’ is said to come from the father of modern philosophy himself, coined by Aristotle to describe when something moves from merely potential to being fully realized or actualized.
[See also: The Invisible House Was Made to Stand Out]
Clearly unsatisfied with his first attempt at articulating the concept architecturally – the aptly named Entelechy I that Portman built in the early 1960s in Atlanta – for his second attempt 20 years later, Portman turned to the barrier island of (the once again aptly named) Sea Island, found just off the coast of Georgia. Finally completed in 1986, Entelechy II was Portman’s personal retreat for over three decades. Having come to the public market for the first time since Portman’s passing in 2017, now Entelechy II could be yours for $40m.
[See also: 60 Curzon: A Fresh Take on One of London’s Most Exclusive Addresses]
The seven-bedroom home spans an impressive 12,500 sq ft and is surrounded by an oceanfront landscape so serene it could make any philosopher put down the Plato for a piña colada. From the moment you arrive, Entelechy II makes an impression with its bold geometric forms, vast glass façades and a design that seamlessly blends playfulness with grandeur. Whether you’re an architecture aficionado or just love a spectacular ocean view, this property is proof that true potential knows no bounds.
Inside, Portman’s iconic columns—some hollow, others spiraling into staircases—anchor gallery-like spaces drenched in natural light. Reflecting pools, vine-covered edges and a suspended walkway bring a touch of drama, while a central courtyard opens to those endless Atlantic views. If all this feels like a museum of modern art, that’s no accident: the house embodies Portman’s belief in architecture as a sensory and immersive experience.
A library and a glass-walled dining room highlight the artistry, while materials and finishes echo the surrounding coastline, balancing innovation with timeless elegance. For your guests, a separate cottage with four bedrooms offers privacy and comfort – a little slice of the Sea Island lifestyle on its own.
$40m, listed with Chase Mizell of Atlanta Fine Homes & Sotheby’s International Realty and Susan Imhoff and Ann Harrell of DeLoach Sotheby’s International Realty / Entelechy II
[See also: Unveil a Tropical Paradise at One Beachlands in Barbados]
Content from our partners
