Continued from: I Wish I Had Bought Back Then…

To recap, people who bought in up and coming neighborhoods, before they were THE place to live made a wise investment. Granted they weren’t thinking “this is going to be a wise investment.” Instead they were probably just looking for a place they loved at a price they could afford.

If you are looking for a place to love, as in capital L.O.V.E., the kind of home that would make your friends green with envy, the kind of place you see only in magazines, this is IT!

INTRODUCING … 1411 Hebert 63107, the newest listing in Old North St. Louis

Historically preserved and modernly updated, this house has to be experienced. While you may get a sense of this home through the pictures, you really must walk through the doorways and stand in the rooms to appreciate the time, planning and execution of the details.

From the street , it is impressive with pieces of the original wrought iron fence and perfectly symmetrical proportions. New Douglas fir doors have been milled to match the originals. The slate mansard was completely rebuilt in 2007 and the painting and tuck pointing on the facade are recently completed projects.

Once inside, the details become overwhelming. The walnut hand rail on the second floor main staircase was hand milled by a New Zealand stair expert to match the original.

The refinished original pine floors span the entire level and the pull the whole space together. All the pine baseboards, moldings, trim and 4-panel doors have been stripped and refinished.

The first floor layout is wide open allowing light from the huge windows and side door to flood the room. The front room is an example of the simple elegance that pervades the home. Nothing is out of place, every door handle, every hinge belongs and is exactly where it should be, in exactly the right style, shape and finish.

The kitchen is exceptionally well planned and is unique to the home. While it speaks to a different era with the reclaimed Geneva metal cabinets and oak counter tops, it belongs here just as if the original builder had done it himself. Through the cut out (which is bar height and designed to function as a breakfast bar with stools on the opposite side) is the office/den area and adjacent is the side porch which is really just a bright extension of the kitchen as the 11′ glass and wood doors open onto a private outdoor dining area.

The cabinets were reclaimed, refurbished then professionally painted by an auto body repair shop. This kind of creativity and thoughtful design is priceless.

All of the private areas are upstairs. Below is a picture of the back hallway (w/ cove lighting) as the wall wraps around the bathroom conforming to the shape of the original 6′ claw foot tub inside. The skill and patience it took to create this elegant detail is evidence of the quality throughout the entire restoration.

There are three large bedrooms, each with interesting details. The front two bedrooms are featured below. They are separated by fully functioning restored pocket doors. Both have elegant mantles in pristine condition and the middle room has a door to the side balcony which has fir tongue and groove flooring and Soulard style railing.

Even the privacy fence is a master piece! The rear patio, arranged in a herringbone pattern, was built with bricks from the original walkway and is lined with salvaged limestone window sills.

These were just a few of my favorite shots. See entire gallery here.

So, you don’t have a quarter of million dollars? No problem! 1411 Hebert is listed at $169,900.

Check any of these links if you want to know more about who lives in the area and what’s going on in terms of grassroots rehabbing or large scale urban revitalization.

http://onsl.org/
http://www.northcityfarmersmarket.org/
http://ourlittleeasy.blogspot.com
http://web.me.com/heidisever/3Walls/The_Progress/The_Progress.html
http://1318hebert.blogspot.com/
http://theurbanstudio.blogspot.com/

See more pictures and find out more about this listing at: shaw.dawngriffin.com

A couple years ago I helped my clients buy this house. Their intention was to rehab it and live there. In the middle of their renovation they were transferred to FL. They finished the renovation according their specs and it is beautiful. Recently I took the previous owner into see the difference and the only thing she said the whole time she was inside was “OH, MY GOD!” I’m not kidding, that’s all she said over and over for about a half an hour. The current owners have done everything the previous owner had ever wanted to do it. It required taking the whole place down to the studs and starting with the shell. It is really a very thoughtful renovation which I will not begin to describe. This one that you will need to experience. Seriously, even if you are not looking to buy a house come see this one. If you ever think you may want to renovate a city property, this house will should set the standard.

The sellers are realistic and understand the current market, they have priced it aggressively at 214,900. They are taking a loss but their goal is to sell it before winter. It is currently listed MLS EXEMPT which means you won’t find it on Realtor.com or any auto searches that your agent has you set up on. If you are an agent, we are cooperating with other brokers and are paying out 3% to a buyer’s agent.

There will be an OPEN HOUSE this Sunday 7 October, 2007 from 1-3PM and it will be right around the corner from the Shaw Art Fair on Flora. Stop by and check it out. You will be impressed!

Thank you Geoff for the pictures!