There’s a sweet spot in Buckhead — a trio of barely overlapping circles where easy access to the main arteries of traffic and walkability to the main attractions meets the quiet, nestled-away feel of the home itself. In the case of the fully renovated 411 Allison Drive, that’s where the curb appeal just begins.
Trying to buy just the right home Intown is a challenge. Downright frustrating in many cases. Those reports of over a "thousand people a month" moving Intown are true, and housing inventory is at an all-time low. Many buyers are left with the feeling they will have to snap up almost anything that pops up or be left behind. If you've had the discipline to wait for the ideal home to appear, your patience may be rewarded here.
Welcome Home.
The tranquil, tree-shaded neighborhoods just a short distance north of Buchkead’s main drag have been prized since they were built back in the mid-20th century. They’re simple homes, and they’re made very well. Ideal for families; great for hosting those Atomic era neighborhood fetes you see in the movies; and, unexpectedly at the time, for the proximity that would fall into place as the years went by. It’s hard to believe, but there was a time when there was no Lenox Square to walk to (and heaven forbid, not even a Tin Lizzy’s!). But while the Buckhead area has grown exponentially into one of the most bustling and prestigious nooks in the American South, you would hardly know it from the tranquil driveway of 411 Allison Drive.
Many of the homes on Allison Drive have size in common. They’re just large enough for a growing family, but not so large that people move out of them when the kids have up and gone to college. That being said, homes like 411 Allison don’t hit the market too often — even more rare is for them to do so in quite so spit-polished a condition, and even rarer is finding an original one, as more and more homeowners north of Buckhead are opting to rebuild, rather than renovate. To each their own, but we’re glad this house is still here — it would be a shame if such a charming property met the business end of a wrecking ball.
Completely Remodeled Kitchen
The current owners thought so, too — when they bought this home in 2010, they started in on a renovation campaign that would span the course of years. Seventy-five percent of the home was brought down to the studs, and no surface went untouched; a new roof was installed; the original hardwood floors were refinished; the landscaping got a complete refresh; new HVAC, plumbing and electrical; millwork and cabinetry; the kitchen and baths were overhauled with 21st-century aesthetics in mind (the granite island in the kitchen in enormous, and you’ve gotta see the statement piece of a chandelier); heck, every room just got a fresh coat of paint this year. Total turnkey.
The result is an internal brightness that almost glows, supplemented by large windows throughout the home (the majority of the bedrooms have windows on two walls, overlooking the impeccably manicured landscaping). Bright white walls never become overbearing or sterile, because another element offsets them, just so — a rich, chocolate finish to the hardwood; stained brick flooring in the dining area provides a subtle nod to the architectural nuances of the time; thoughtfully applied millwork in the kitchen and arched ceilings in the bedrooms expand on the idea of openness, bringing the outside in.
Of particular note is what can best be described as a “catchall room” — a gigantic third living space with windows on both sides that currently serves as an art studio (in the past, it made a kickin’ gym, and before that, was an epic childrens’ playroom). Direct access to the porch outside, also, makes it an ideal indoor entertaining space for social butterflies.
Oversized Entertainment Deck
Speaking of the outside, some aspects of this home are best explained with a walk around the perimeter. In front, a U-shaped driveway hits its apex at a brick path that leads into a colonially inspired entry. Around back, a sun-soaked porch lends enough space to solidly accommodate a large get-together, with more than enough elbow room for guests to spillover into the sweeping backyard (a few stragglers will almost certainly be found gathered around the seating oasis of the mid-yard patio). To reiterate, this backyard is pretty huge: plenty of room for the kids to play, and dog owners will risk a sore shoulder if they try to whack the back fence with a tennis ball.
Oh, the garage is back here, too. Two-car, which is actually not too common in this part of town. Upstairs, a bona-fide in-law suite is technically connected to the rest of the home, but provides amenities for self-sufficiency in the form of a bedroom, a bath, and plenty of storage space — ideal for out-of-town guests to have their own area to spread out, as well as a little bit of overflow from the main home.
Great Curb Appeal
Before we wind this up, we’ve gotta mention the neighborhood one more time. The current owners have mentioned walking their daughter to Sarah Smith Elementary every morning (the schools in Buckhead are excellent, of course), and that a lot of other parents would do the same. This sort of built-in community serves to bolster the pride residents of this part of town have in their micro-neighborhood, and it’s one that flows over into seasonal affairs, too — at Halloween, for instance, Allison Drive comes to life with a block party that brings food, fun, and local firefighters to the street.
Hopefully off the clock — giving the kiddos a tour of the engine is just something they like to do. In case you couldn’t tell, it’s pretty friendly around here.
The seller is represented by The Keen Brothers, Ben & Joshua Keen.
Call today for a private showing: 404-538-5356
Please, serious inquiries only.