Columbus, Ohio USA
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Annual Tour of Homes and Gardens in Short North
An interesting mix of old and new
September/October 2016 Issue
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323 W. Seventh Avenue The 42nd Annual Tour of Homes and Gardens is just around the corner. Mark your calendar for September 17 and 18, 2016.
The Short North business district has changed dramatically over the years. What once were parking lots or one-story buildings are now new mid- or high-rise apartments, condos, office or retail space – a mix of old and new.
The nearby neighborhoods — Victorian Village, Italian Village, Harrison West, Dennison Place and The Circles — have also realized a dramatic change. The 2016 tour features century-old Victorians as well as brand new homes. Even old industrial buildings and warehouses have been converted into private residences. The 2016 tour showcases examples of this mix.
The tours began in 1975 by neighborhood pioneers. The purpose being to invite people from other areas to see the potential in this area, to hopefully like what they see, purchase a home, renovate or restore it, move in, and join the community. It worked. Today our historic neighborhoods are among the most desirable areas in Columbus in which to live.
The 2016 tour will be number 42. Approximately 430 homes have been shown since the first tour in 1975. Proceeds are used to further enhance the neighborhood and the quality of life here, including contributions to Goodale Park, landscaped boulevards and street planters, Music in the Air, and Screen on the Green to name a few.
John Myers and Pat Lewis, the “home recruitment” team, have worked together for the past decade selecting homes for the tour. Lewis has worked on every tour since the beginning in some capacity, including having her own home on tour twice. “It is a year-round job,” she said. “Not everyone wants to open their home for the tour, but others are delighted they were asked and love the experience.”
The oldest home on this year’s tour was built in 1889 in The Circles. Justin Flowers and Corey Robinson have lived together in the Short North for eight years, having previously renovated a house on Harrison Avenue. When they decided they needed a larger home, they found this Victorian beauty at 323 W. Seventh Avenue and immediately fell in love with it. At one time it was a multi-family rental, but prior owners returned it to a single family and built an addition with a third-floor balcony with a great view of downtown Columbus and the fireworks. The home has four original fireplaces, a claw-foot tub, beveled and stained glass windows throughout, and a spectacular entranceway. The homeowners love of travel is reflected by photographs taken by Justin and art purchased during their visits to various destinations throughout the world. They also display works by some of their favorite local artists. Their next project is a wine cellar.
228 W. Second Avenue One of the newer homes on the tour was completed last year. Gary Lackey and Michael Lord recently moved from New York City where they occupied an 803-square-foot apartment. (Their current home is 3208 square feet). They designed the home themselves, having designed four previous residences. They had been looking at lots in Victorian Village, and upon learning that a builder had just purchased the land at Second and Highland, they were there immediately with check in hand. The pair love to cook and entertain so designed their new home accordingly. Upon entering the house there is a feeling of the “Rat Pack” era of the ‘60s. The large dining room table, located in the front of the home in the bay window, seats 10. The kitchen/bar area is centrally located with an adjacent huge pantry/mud room which serves as a getaway for the dog when guests arrive. The lounge is toward the back of a large open room overlooking the garden. The lower level is the media room, billiards area, and guest suite. If you are a Buckeye fan you might want to skip the lower level … but don’t miss the master bath upstairs!
The preview tour runs from 4:30-7 p.m. on Saturday the 17th and is sponsored by Brothers Drake. The $75 ticket includes a preview party from 6:30-9 p.m. at the gorgeous, newly renovated home of Nicole and Rhett Ricart on Goodale Park that will not be included on the general tour. The general tour is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 18th. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of tour, and include access to a trolley shuttle bus. Advance tickets are online at tickets.shortnorthcivic.org. The SNCA will also have a table for advance sales before its screening of Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory in Goodale Park on Friday, September 16. Day-of-tour tickets will be sold in front of PNC Bank’s Short North branch at 763 Neil Ave.
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