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Stewart was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 2013. He died late last year, at home.

Before his death, he considered several options for Integral House, said Don Smith, his brother-in-law and one of the estate’s executors.

He thought about having it run as a private foundation, funded with the continuing proceeds from his textbook sales. But in the end, he decided to sell it, with the money earmarked for his family and arts, gay and lesbian charities. (Stewart, who was gay, was active throughout his life in promoting gay rights.)

Integral House was first listed in the spring for $28 million. It has since been reduced to just under $23 million. Smith said Stewart always knew that would happen.

“The idea was the house would go up for sale, but we wouldn’t pressure anyone to sell it,” he said. “In other words, we wouldn’t jump at the first offer.”

In the meantime, the house continues to be used for concerts and charitable fundraisers. Sotheby’s has shown it to about 12 pre-cleared, prospective buyers, said Vermast. But no one has made an offer.

“We need to find someone who wants to be associated with it, who may not want to reside in it, but will view it as a piece of art,” he said. “Because it is a trophy property.”

Despite its $23-million price tag, the house remains something of a bargain, Vermast added.

“What it cost to build then compared to what it (would) cost to build today are two different things, because the materials would be so much more,” he said.

In a way, the appeal of Integral House is also what makes it so difficult to sell. It is, irrevocably and forevermore, Stewart’s: a unique product of his particular dreams.

“Jim always said he never built the house with resale in mind, or for other people” said Joseph Clement, a filmmaker whose documentary on Stewart and Integral House is in post-production. “He built it for himself.”

• Email: rwarnica@nationalpost.com | Twitter: richardwarnica