REMARKABLE HISTORIC ESTATE 

Located in Chapel Hill, NC  •  Web ID: CXL

This remarkable historic estate is located just a short stroll from the heart of Chapel Hill and the UNC campus. It is situated on over two lushly landscaped acres with a circular drive and an adjacent 3.6 acres are also available. Since 1904, only four families have owned this landmark property. It has been lovingly restored and expanded by the current owners. The 8,000 square foot three level home features five bedrooms and a loft. The rooftop widow’s walk offers dramatic views. In addition, the wraparound porches provide wonderful entertaining spaces. Original features include multiple stacked stone fireplaces (eight fireplaces in total) and large diamond paned windows. The home restoration and expansion was thoughtfully accomplished, echoing the gracious lines of the original home. A modern kitchen and adjacent family room form the heart of the new space, which includes an elegant cherry paneled library with fireplace and guest suites upstairs.

Setting:

Location:
Chapel Hill’s Historic District covers several blocks on either side of East Franklin Street. Originally built in the early part of the 20th century, mostly by University related owners, these gracious homes have enjoyed a renaissance under the care of a new generation of owners. It is an easy stroll into downtown and the UNC campus, five minutes to I-40 or 20 minutes to the airport, RTP or Duke University.

The Property:
This Georgian Colonial sits on 2.15 private acres. Behind the home, there are an additional 3.54 adjacent acres available for purchase. The grounds are professionally landscaped and irrigated and feature magnificent old hardwoods, stone garden walls, mature flowerbeds, lily padded pond, and a functioning well.

Outdoor Living Spaces:
The front porch is extremely spacious and wraps around the side. The entire rear of the home holds a deep back deck just off the family room and breakfast area. On the second level, there is a wrap-around porch above the main level porch that is accessible from the center hallway or master bedroom.

Main Level:

Front Porch:
The charming wrap-around porch is restored with refinished wood planks. The porch looks out on the private front grounds and circular drive, which has two entrances onto Franklin Street.

Foyer:
The grand foyer features a stacked stone fireplace with beams overhead, columns, built-in bench seating, and an angled stair with a window seat on its upper landing. Windows are handsome original diamond pane true divided-lights. Pocket door opening leads into the formal living room or parlor.

Living Room:
The formal living room is bright with another stacked stone fireplace as its centerpiece and a window seat under the front windows. There is access to the porch and sunroom and an original set of pocket doors to the dining room. The windows in this room continue the diamond divided-light style.

Dining Room:
The formal dining room has a decorative bay window extending into the sunroom. The crystal chandelier sparkles magnificently in this large space. There are four doors in addition to the large pocket doors.

Family Room:
Windows line the rear wall and side bay of the bright family room overlooking the back deck and grounds. Features include wall-to-wall built-in bookcases, a stacked stone fireplace, entertainment center cabinet and access to the deck.

Library:
The study, beautifully finished in the renovation, is an incredible home office or library with large pocket doors, rich wood paneling, bookcases with glass doors, a coffered ceiling and a fireplace. Side door provides a quick exit to deck and walled gardens.

Kitchen & Breakfast Area:
This beautiful Kitchen was added in the renovation. Features include granite countertops, custom cherry cabinetry, Island lighting, a vented cooktop and stainless steel appliances. The large bay with vaulted ceiling and chandelier creates a bright and spacious informal dining/breakfast space. Ideal flow for any entertainment size.
Additional features include:
-Butler’s pantry with additional refrigerator, oven, deep sink, prep space and a commercial dishwasher
-Dumbwaiter to the lower level
-Access to the back deck
-Kitchen desk area
-Under-the-counter refrigerator for beverage cooling.

Sun Room:
The once porch, now enclosed sunroom is just off the living and dining rooms. It is also accessible from the front porch. It has two walls of windows (including interior bay windows) and a set of skylights.

Billiards Room:
Behind double 5-panel doors, this billiards room is between the study and the grand foyer. The side porch allows easy access as well. It features a brick fireplace and original oak wood paneled wainscoting, wall shelf, and closet for storage.

Second Level:

Master Suite:
The master bedroom is spacious with a fireplace and two sets of double doors to the second level deck. The master bath has marble features, large whirlpool tub, and a beautiful glass and tile shower.

Bedroom:
Overlooking the front grounds, this additional naturally lit bedroom is a comfortable space.

Bedroom:
This bedroom features an original fireplace and shuttered windows overlooking the side yard. The renovated bathroom is located just on the other side of the room.

Guest Suite:
This large guest bedroom was added in the renovation. It has dramatic large windows with beautiful views of the backyard. The fireplace was designed to be in keeping with the original sections of the home. There is also a beautiful en-suite bath.

Top Level:

Loft:
The top level of the home holds a large room with a full bath. It is an excellent sunny guest or nanny suite or can serve as an office or exercise room.

Widow's Walk:
The widow's walk with its magnificent views of the grounds and winter views of Franklin Street is accessed from the loft.

Lower Level:

The lower level of this home is perfect for an in-law suite or graduate student or employee quarters. This daylight basement has a living room with a kitchenette, adjacent to a bedroom with an en-suite bath. Currently, the two-car garage is being utilized partially as an exercise room, complete with a full bath. Finished walk-in closets provide multiple storage spaces. There is also a convenient dumbwaiter to transport groceries to the kitchen. The large driveway provides ample off-street parking for numerous cars. For larger functions, additional parking is available on the back lawn.

A Brief History of 721 East Franklin Street:

Archibald Henderson and Minna Curtis Bynum married in 1903 and Archibald built this remarkable home within 1903-1904. Archibald Henderson was a mathematics professor at UNC and later the head of the department. He also was a historian and the official biographer of George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright. George Bernard Shaw was a frequent visitor and often sat rocking on the front porch. Archibald’s wife was an author and together they raised five children here. Home was converted into a boarding house later.

Leonard White, an art history professor at local university renovated the home in a contemporary manner. He and his wife raised two children in the home.

Richard Lotwin, a podiatrist, bought the home in 1979 and used the home for his private practice. The dining room was used as a waiting room and there was also an x-ray developing room and rooms for surgeries.

The current owners purchased the home in 1985 and raised four children here. They restored and expanded the home with Ralph Lasater of Community Planning and Architectural Associates and master builder, Max Kennedy. 

Built in 1904.

8,144 approximate square feet. Wood construction. Circular drive.

Building style: Multilevel, See Remarks

2.15 acre lot.

24x15 - Master Bedroom, Upper Level, Hardwood Floor.

17x14 - Bedroom 2, Upper Level, Hardwood Floor.

16x11 - Bedroom 3, Upper Level, Hardwood Floor.

x - Bedroom 4, Upper Level, Hardwood Floor.

26x14 - Bedroom 5, Other Level, Carpeting.

12x12 - Bedroom 6, Lower Level, Hardwood Floor.

21x21 - Living Room, Main Level, Hardwood Floor.

20x15 - Dining Room, Main Level, Hardwood Floor.

18x15 - Kitchen, Main Level, Hardwood Floor.

x - Kitchen, Lower Level, Hardwood Floor.

30x19 - Family Room, Main Level, Hardwood Floor.

21x21 - Foyer, Main Level, Hardwood Floor.

24x15 - Library, Main Level, Hardwood Floor.

24x11 - Florida Room, Main Level, Carpeting.

18x15 - Master Bath, Upper Level, Ceramic.

13x9 - Laundry, Upper Level, Ceramic.

12x12 - Breakfast Room, Main Level, Hardwood Floor.

19x14 - Recreation Room, Main Level, Hardwood Floor.

21x14 - Sitting Room, Lower Level, Hardwood Floor.