The building of Rhodes College set off a mania for the Tudor Revival style, Construction on this one hundred acre campus began in 1924 in the Collegiate Gothic style. Soon after, Hallwood, to the north in Vollentine/Evergreen, and Hein Park to the east of the campus were laid out with meandering streets and no sidewalks, and the Tudor Revival style seemed to predominate in both areas.
Medieval cottages with their haphazard rusticity were the inspiration for the Tudor revival. Tall, multiple rooflines and a mixture of brick, stucco, and half-timbering were)common. Chimneys were even picturesquely changed from rough stone to brick as they went up, to suggest that had been rebuilt over time.
The Goldstein family built this well-planned house in 1931 as a present for their daughter. The house faces due south, which keeps the sunroom and the living room bright all day. The bedrooms to the west are dark in the morning, just as the kitchen to the east is cherry when you arise. And you thought architecture was all about making it pretty!
Outside is mostly brick, with some decorative wave-edged siding on the gable ends. The tallest forward-facing gable has vertical half-timbering with the nogging between laid-up in herringbone-patterned brick. The entrance is well defined by a heavy stone surround and a thick oak timber door with a small leaded glass window, and an ornamental iron lantern above it.
There is a beautiful front terrace, with steps and walks leading both to University Street and Hallwood Drive. This and the entry are mostly hidden by a low holly hedge and a large magnolia that make even this front terrace a private outdoor space. This planting and the deep front yard also insulate the house from street noises.
The foyer, living, and dining rooms all have random width, pegged and quarter-sawn oak floors. These floors are pretty much perfection, and to gild the lily, the plaster walls cove right up on to the ceiling in a deep, continuous. A custom marble mantel surrounds the living room fireplace, which is equipped with gas logs.
The sunroom adjoins the living room, expanding the seating options. The kitchen is well outfitted with highly desirable vintage metal Geneva cabinets and double Chambers ovens that are insulated with cast-iron. These ovens are like owning a Rolls — there’s no reason to ever trade them in. The breakfast room has one wall of custom china storage, two walls of bookcases, and one wall of glass — not so bad! And all of this is atop a two-car garage and workshop.
Three bedroom, three baths, and a laundry closet complete the ground floor. The master suite on this floor has a separate tub and shower with yet more storage cabinets. Upstairs is a guest apartment with its own private deck and entry. There’s another kitchen, a bedroom, and a bath upstairs. It’s hard to decide which floor would be the better master, but it’s nice to have multiple choices.
2014 Hallwood Drive, 38107
Approximately 3900 square feet
4 bedrooms, 4 baths; $378,000
Realtor: Hobson Company 761-1622
Owner/agent: Mary Frances Pitts 312-2942
