House Envy: Tudor beauty enjoys best of past and present

Morningside home was carefully renovated by Norman Askins
2294
684 East Pelham Road
Courtesy of Team Ellis

Demolitions, flips, and popped-tops have stolen the historic charm from some of Morningside’s oldest homes over the last few decades. When noted architect Norman Askins oversaw a major renovation of 684 East Pelham Road in the early 2000s, one of his primary goals was to make sure that did not happen to this classic Tudor estate.

From removing the original ceramic roof tiles and reapplying them, with new copper valleys, to restoring the mantel and marble apron of the living room fireplace, Askins sought to maintain original architectural details while providing beaucoups of modern comforts.

Built in 1930—just five years after the neighborhood was annexed into Atlanta—the house was originally occupied by Major General Carl T. Sutherland. Sutherland served in the European Theater of Operations during World War II, created the 81st “Wildcat” Infantry Division, and was a personnel director for the City of Atlanta. Thanks to the care with which renovations were applied, Sutherland would still recognize his old home today. He would not, however, expect a house-wide audio system, radiant floor heating, and heated towel drawers in the master bathroom, or a wood sauna. Time does, after all, move on.

High-end finishes and touches merge with classic original features to blur the lines between past and present throughout this four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home. In the generous living room, for example, a crystal chandelier original to the home hangs from elegant coffered ceilings. In the kitchen, state-of-the-art, professional-grade appliances sit on antique French floor tiles. The counters are made of heart pine and soapstone, and the wooden ceiling beams come from North Georgia. In the sunroom, newer marble and granite floors complement an original bead board ceiling.

One of the house’s three and a half bathrooms is modernized with a jetted tub, custom cabinetry, and a frameless steam shower with multiple heads while another retained the original tub, fixtures, floor, and wall tiles for a vintage-inspired feel.

Outside, the original garden shed provides the perfect spot for a workshop, hobbyist room, or art studio. Other highlights of the one-acre lot are a covered portico leading from the back of the house to a two-car garage, a granite-wall fence in the backyard, a brick-and-stone patio, and a fountain encircled by plant life.

This 3,651-square-foot blast from the not-so-recent past is for sale for $1,149,000. Contact Adam (770-335-0549, adam@teamellis.biz) or Patti (404-874-0300, patti@teamellis.biz) of Team Ellis to learn more.

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