Straus Nayfach Home in Historic Monticello Park Gwen & Haven at Home on Quentin When Haven moved from Austin in November of 2001, he began looking for a home similar to the wonderful stone houses in the historic neighborhoods of Austin. Additionally, it was necessary for him to be close to work at the UT Health Science Center and to Christus Santa Rosa downtown. The Straus Nayfach house at 440 Quentin with foot-thick Austin stone, sturdy pier and beam construction, beautiful Mission tile floor and large corner lot was impossible to pass up. Two weeks later he met Gwen and six months after that they were married. The wedding took place in the living room of 440 Quentin with close family and friends in attendance. With plenty of room in the back yard, a large tent and tables were set up on the rear patio, Pappasito's catered and margaritas were served. Over the past five years, Haven and Gwen have worked diligently updating and improving the property. They have enjoyed visiting the antique shops on Hildebrand, the Old Door Store on Blanco as well as the Lowe's on Callaghan (you always forget something!). Gwen has filled the yard with low-maintenance, xeriscape plants, so there is always something flowering and butterflies are plentiful. The bird feeders are visited by cardinals, finches, blue jays, chickadees, woodpeckers, white winged doves and, of course, squirrels. The wildlife get their share of pecans from the two large pecan trees, with plenty (hundreds of pounds!) left over for friends, family and passers-by. The 968 sq. ft. garage they built with workshop and attic storage provides a home for Haven's outdoor gear, power tools, refrigerator and freezer, not to mention the cars.... Haven and Gwen enjoy evening strolls around Woodlawn Lake and look forward to the July 4th fireworks over the lake. They can be in their seats at the Majestic Theatre 20 minutes after leaving the house (15 minutes is their record!). The Riverwalk is minutes away. Casbeers and Chris Madrid's on Blanco are favorite hangouts for burgers and beer. They are always amazed at how quickly they can get just- about-anywhere from Monticello Park. Haven works at the UT Health Science Center and frequently has to spend time downtown. The home's location places him almost halfway between both locations. After spending many years commuting in and out of downtown Austin, he finds it most pleasant to be close and not having to 'fight the freeway masses'. It is so nice to sit on the patio, enjoy fresh coffee, and read the paper before departing for work. Uptown or downtown, he's there in 15 minutes or less. Our home's landscape has been a lot of work, but, watching the fruits of our labor come to life has been a great joy. Gwen's knowledge, expertise, and passion for all things living provide a wonderful little oasis for us and the orphan cats that have adopted us as their own. From the quirky shops on Hildebrand, Blanco, and Broadway to the rich stream of reasonably-priced cultural events Laurie Auditorium on the Trinity University, there is always some place to explore or discover. We have enjoyed many years of "First Fridays" in King William, "people- watching" at the Blue Star Arts Complex, and great food and margaritas at El Mirador Restaurant. - Gwen & Haven Young Greetings! Just wanted to let you know about a home in Monticello Park that's coming on the market. Please feel free to forward it on to anyone you might know who is looking for a cool old home near downtown that has been thoroughly and exceptionally modernized ... 440 Quentin - Monticello Park 2-2 home - $259,900 This home is an early "cool" example of the Ranch style that was first introduced in California in the mid- 1930's. It was designed and built in 1939 by noted architect N. Straus Nayfach who designed the Alameda Theater and is recognized as one of the most influential 20th Century architects in San Antonio. 440 Quentin is a radical departure from Strauss' earlier Traditional and Spanish designs, many of which are two-story homes, which might explain Quentin's impressively-engineered foundation. The home contains 2063 square feet and has beautiful natural Austin cut stone on all four sides. I find many ranch-style homes boring, but this one is anything but that. It was built in a Spanish Villa U- shape, with an open courtyard in the rear that is now a family room including the original beautifully- restored Mission Tile floor. The covered front porch has a different style Mission Tile with an interesting inlay of Chess pieces. Certainly there is an eclectic array of well-thought influences that went into the design of this ground- breaking home. Spanish-eclectic Ranch style? Maybe California Ranchito would describe it best since it rests on a large lot... 2 bedrooms, 2 baths - $259,900 Hardwood floors and Mission Tile Extensive Landscaping & Xeriscaping 2,063 square feet Over $75,000 in recent improvements and features! The home was renovated between 1988 and 1992 before Gwen and Haven moved in, including upgrading the plumbing and electrical systems. Not the types to be content, Haven and Gwen have continued to update and improve the home since purchasing it in 2001, including completely rebuilding the garage, rounding out the plumbing and electrical work, replacing the roof and an impressive amount of grading and landscaping. The list of their improvements is literally as long as my arm. Upon entering the front door, you will notice the striking proportions of the living room, 17 by 24, and its access to the remaining rooms. A 6-foot fireplace offers warmth and is faced with the same stone as the exterior. An open doorway to the right leads to the dining room, kitchen and breakfast room; a doorway to the left leads into a connecting hall for the bedrooms and baths; ahead through double French doors is the family room with French windows overlooking the patio, contributing to an open, spacious feel. I would appreciate it if you would forward this on to anyone you know that might be interested in living a moment from downtown, but also just a dash to USAA and the Medical Center. Just give us a holler at 210- 745-0892. Living inside the loop, Joe Barfield The Joe Barfield Group at Keller Williams email: joe@joebarfield.com phone: 210-733-1928 web: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=y6o4qybab.0.e4fy7yaab.kg998rn6.16301&ts=S0204&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com

Forward email Joe Barfield PO Box 90973 San Antonio TX 78209