This year, we will open our doors with the 2017 East Lake Tour of Homes Presented by Rick Baldwin Homes on Saturday, September 9th 10am-5pm and Sunday, September 10th 1pm-5pm.

The East Lake Tour of Homes is a fundraiser that will benefit the East Lake Neighbors Community Association (ELNCA), which is dedicated to positive growth and building community. We are continuing an East Lake tradition that began in 1979, and are proud to feature 7 beautiful homes that represent our community’s rich history and growth over the years. The tour is a great opportunity to see historic Atlanta homes while taking in the beauty next to the East Lake Golf Course.

Tickets are $15 in advance / $20 day-of

Volunteer and tour for free!

Get a free ticket by volunteering during the event. Click here to sign up and get your free ticket!

TOUR DETAILS

1. 2370 Alston Drive SE

Built in 2007 by Woodward Rhodes Homes, this classic Atlanta-style Colonial offers over 5,000 square feet of luxury living, complete with 6 beds and 6 baths, four fireplaces, a designer kitchen, and an in-law suite above the three-car attached garage. Homeowner Jonathan Leonard purchased this 2007 Atlanta Magazine Dream Home in 2009, and enjoys hosting parties and entertaining guests. The meticulously maintained lawn and back patio make a perfect place for outdoor dining and entertaining. There are two master bedrooms in this home, one on the main level and the second upstairs. Highlights also include the billiards room, a theatre room, and an impressive 1500 – bottle wine cellar, all located on the lower level. Jonathan has spent much of the past eight years personally decorating his home, acquiring a number of abstract and figurative art pieces to accompany the house; exquisite furniture and decor can be found throughout the property. When Jonathan was a child, his family would take him from Nashville, TN to spend summers with family in Kirkwood, never knowing that this neighborhood would ultimately be his home as an adult. He chose this Dream Home because of its close proximity to downtown, and is proud to be a member of a community that has seen a major resurgence, as a quality place to live in the city of Atlanta.

2. 2420 Alston Drive SE

Built in 1856, Meadow Nook is the second oldest home in the city of Atlanta and is both a comfortable home and historically significant property that overlooks the East Lake Golf Club. Lovingly restored by long-time East Lake residents Sylvia and Charlie Harrison, Meadow Nook was named “One of Atlanta’s 50 Most Beautiful Homes” by Atlanta Magazine, received the 1998 Urban Design Award for Historic Preservation, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. The Greek Revival home is stunning, with 12 ½ foot ceilings, a curved staircase, and many salvaged architectural items from the home of Charlie Yates, a noted amateur golfer, businessman, and civic leader in Atlanta. The home and grounds are steeped in Civil War history, golf memorabilia, and countless stories of famous visitors (including its very own ghost!).

3. 230 Carter Avenue SE

230 Carter Avenue: A Craftsman delight! Built in 1900, this home exhibits many traditional Craftsman features such as a large welcoming porch, broad eaves, knee brace supports, exposed rafter tails, an open living space, custom built-in nooks and window seats. The home was the previous residence of Miss Ollie Beasly, who purchased the home in 1968 after the passage of the Fair Housing Act. This important Act prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin and sex. As time passed, Miss Beasley’s ability to maintain the home became limited and the home was sold to the current owner. Upon purchasing the home in 1997, a meticulous restoration of the property commenced. Every effort has been made to restore the home to its original stature while incorporating modern features. After updating the systems, all remaining improvements were completed by a skilled carpenter (the owner), during his summer breaks from teaching.

This beautiful East Lake Craftsman home welcomes you in with a wide brick paver walkway and a large front porch as was common for this style home. Note the oversized front door and screened door custom made by the owner. Bold colors create a warm atmosphere in the home and enhance the traditional 91/2 foot ceilings, exposed beams, a large fireplace, window seats and built-in shelves with leaded glass doors. A pair of French doors at one end of the room leads to an enclosed sun porch, the owner’s favorite place to relax beneath the ceiling fan.

The living room opens into the dining room where a wall of window seats provide additional storage. In the kitchen, the owner juxtaposed a beadboard ceiling, stainless steel appliances, and natural slate floor to create an eclectic mix of both modern and traditional features. All of the bedrooms have walk-in closets with cedar-lined walls and built-in dressers and shelving. Two of the three bathrooms have the original claw-foot tubs and all have been restored with period features. An in-law suite is located in the rear of the main residence where guests have the convenience of a separate entrance, kitchen, bath, living room, bedroom, and multi-purpose space. Before completing the tour, be certain to visit the fabulous outdoor spaces!

4. 2516 Alston Drive SE

Built in 2006, this charming 3 bed/3.5 bath Tudor is home to Rick and Pam Burton. Prior to 2006, multiple hall-of-fame golfer Tommy Barnes lived in the previous house on the property for many years. He played regularly with Bobby Jones, Charlie Harrison, and Watts Gunn. Rick and Pam chose the location because of its proximity to the East Lake Golf Club, where Rick is currently the Chairman; he’s been a golf professional for 45 years. They have a special-needs daughter who lives at home with them, and she works for Purpose Built Communities, a nonprofit that Tom Cousins began with Warren Buffett and Julian Robertson that helps replicate the East Lake plan across the nation. They love the Tudor style of the home, the dogwood trees, and being close to Decatur. Pam enjoys baking in the kitchen, loves her pantry, and also enjoys spending time in her office, where she feels like a CEO! She also loves to relax in the upstairs loft, where pictures of her father and grandfather are on display; both gentlemen played in The World Series, her father in 1945 and grandfather in 1920. She also uses this space for exercise. Rick likes to hang in the den, where he likes to read, watch TV, or catch a nap. Pay special attention to the gorgeous dining room with a cozy fireplace, and the sun room off the hall leading to a downstairs bedroom.

5. 2724 Alston Drive SE

Katherine Daniels purchased this home in 1978. “Quince Place” was built in 1907 and offers over 4,500 square feet of historic Atlanta architecture, culture, and comfort (and was also featured on the East Lake Tour of Homes in 1981!). The house was once owned by Asa G. Candler, and prior to 1978, the Senkbeil family owned the residence for 55 years. Around 1955, they bought an additional 1.3 acre lot behind the property, where two sisters Miss Julia and Miss Annie created walking paths and gardens. This is where the two spent most of their spare time away from work, which continued well into their 80’s. They lived with their brother, Carl, who left that gardening up to them! Over the years, Katherine has made some painstaking restorations to the home, much to its original condition. There are numerous porches, one a rooftop off the master bedroom, where you can sneak a peak of the golf course through the original magnolias, oak, and monkey tree; they love to entertain in the screened porch below. Among the many unique features of this home, pay attention to the two Murano Italy chandeliers, the 300-year-old Belgium grandfather clock, four fireplaces, and the original East Lake Country Club gates that welcome you to the property. A print of St. Cecilia, left by the previous owners, matches the unique and striking stained glass piece Katherine found after purchasing the house; you’ll find them in the cozy breakfast room. With a large collection of antique pieces from all over the world, you’ll see why Katherine and Rick enjoy calling this place home.

6. 2847 Alston Drive

This craftsman bungalow was one of the first five residential homes built in the East Lake neighborhood. The home sits on original Lot 18, which was at first unimproved farmland consolidated by the East Lake Realty Company on Alston Drive. With one of the biggest red oaks around, over 62 inches in diameter and perched right beside it, the house instantly felt like home to Ashley and Alison. Before they purchased it in 2010, the home belonged to only two families since 1915, and retained a load of original features. They refurbished it by preserving the original look and feel of the house, while adapting it for modern living. They added a large kitchen, den, mud room, half bath and master suite. In 2016 they “took the plunge” and built a striking pool and pool house. They feel like the home is a true vacation spot. Whether it’s working in the home office, sitting by the living room fireplace, cooking, dining in the screened porch, or just lounging by the pool, they love it all. A historian researched the home and found that on January 25, 1914, East Lake Realty Company sold the lot to a real estate developer, Nora G. Webb, for $1,200. Ms. Webb built the home and sold it to the first owner, Mrs. J.E. Bittick on March 1, 1915 for a $10,400 bond. Mrs. Bittick acquired the full title to the lot for another $5,200 in 1916. They find it fascinating and inspiring that in the early 1920’s, women were building, selling and buying lots!

7. 227 Oakridge Avenue SE

The charming 6 bedroom, 5.5 bath “Swiss Miss” home at 227 Oakridge Avenue SE has seen many renditions throughout its life. Around 2007 the home was taken down to the original foundation by a builder who visualized a million dollar Smart Home. You will see speaker plates, motorized curtain outlets and motion sensor outlet covers throughout the house as you walk through. The concept presumed lights would turn on and off as you moved throughout the home and curtain sensors would open and close the blinds based on the light of day. Also, the hard wired speakers would ensure your music would follow you wherever you were in the house.

During the Great Recession, the home saw a second and third builder who converted the wrap around back porch to the interior TV living room you see today and put in the spiral staircase to the third floor. The home sold to its current owners in 2011 who removed the wall between the TV/Livingroom and the “Starbucks” lounge. This opened up the home and brought light into the interior rooms. Be sure to take note of the custom cherry inlay on the floors, the coffered ceiling in the dining room, and the crown moulding trim work throughout. Custom cabinets enhance the kitchen. Enjoy the incredible master suite on the first floor with tray ceilings and a wood burning fireplace. The en-suite master bath includes a walk-in shower lined with Carrerra marble and a double jacuzzi tub! The remaining bedrooms have gas fireplaces, en-suite bathrooms with jacuzzi tubs and Juliet balconies! Don’t let the spiral staircase to the third floor make you dizzy as two additional bedrooms await at the top.

The homeowners enjoy decorating for the holidays so be sure to drive by during Halloween and Christmas to see the Swiss Miss home dressed to the nines!

View Day of Event Instructions and FAQs here

For any questions or more information, please email eastlaketourofhomes@yahoo.com

Thank you to all of our sponsors: