Stern’s interests included modern architecture. His parents were still living at the house on West 54th Street at the time of his father’s death. By then, Stern was residing at 725 West 49th Terrace. The house, which had been built for him, was notable for the use of aluminum in its exterior and for its many windows.Historic Kansas City Foundation and the Office of Historic Preservation. “Historic Inventory.” JAAS070-S. dnr.mo.gov [Missouri Department of Natural Resources] He sold it in 1963 and purchased the Sondern House at 3600 Belleview Avenue, which had been designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the late 1930s, with a substantial addition by the architect circa 1950. Stern was the third owner. He did some renovations, and occupied the house until his death. Near the end of Stern’s life, Jim Blair, a friend and former bond trader at Stern Brothers, lived in the house with him. Stern had donated the house to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, but maintained a life interest in it. After his death, the museum sold the house to Blair.
