Ethereal Neo Colonial in Valley Hi - Pre-MLS

Historically and Architecturally Significant San Antonio Vintage Homes undefined Architectural Analysis By: Architectural Historian Shelley Roff, Ph.D. The owner of 127, Harrow Drive, a modern Ray Ellison home has been enjoying the shade of the mesquite tree in the front yard since she was a child. Her mother told her to watch for it to bloom sometime in February, the first sure sign that Winter was over and Spring had arrived. As an adult, she surrounded the tree with a flagstone patio, in order for her and her family to enjoy the gentle cool breezes summertime brings to the neighborhood. The house's slick, red brick exterior and single fluted column at the entry tells me that it is a contemporary Neo-colonial, a style of house popular in American neighborhoods from the 1950s forward. The subdued red, slate gray and off-white color scheme complements the minimal classical décor. The change in material from brick to siding between the first and second floor is typical of salt-box Neo-colonials on the East Coast. This 1964 Ray Ellison home, built in a neighborhood near Lackland Air Force Base, was part of a continuing effort to provide housing for servicemen and employees of the base shortly after World War II. Ray Ellison Sr. began building in San Antonio in 1949. The owner's parents who purchased the home in the 1970's from its original owner, fit the profile of Ellison's target market: a young couple with children employed by the Base The light inside this house is spectacular. Every room in the house glows with a subdued late afternoon light that casts pale shadows and illuminates soft-colored walls, reminiscent of the kind of sweet light usually only found in older homes. I think part of the effect is due to the foliage and trees which allow intermittent light and shading to the windows from the exterior. Upon entering the house, a partial screen of columnettes provides a transparent barrier between the entry into the house and the living room, and a solid wall gives more privacy to the adjacent dining room. The wood kitchen cabinets, the staircase railing, and the slim beams in the study contribute to a modernized colonial look inside the house. The curtains in the den with their metal "pearl" drawstring and patterned metallic valance look vintage 1960s. Other original details in the house are the brass hinges, door knobs, and possibly the ceiling fan that is in the upstairs bedroom. My favorite "period" details in the house are the light fixtures and switch plates. Upstairs you will see a round milk glass light fixture with protruding bubbles and a luminous sandblasted rectangular fixture with an antique rose painted on its surface. The bathroom fixtures and lighting in the master bath are newly renovated and the owner's cat was kind enough to pose for the final photograph. Listed at $127,000 Architectural Analysis with Photos MLS Market Snapshot Forward to a Friend Greetings! Here's a new listing that someone you know might be looking for... Feel free to pass it . There's quite a bit of value in this 2050 square foot 4-2.5 in Valley Hi, the "Castle Hills of the West." This home is in Northside ISD, so feeds into Clark HS rather than Lee... San Antonio's best Thai restaurant is around the corner (Sally's - tell me I'm wrong...) Plus, this home has been in the family for three generations. The kids are raising their own, but have chosen to stay in this magic house. Of course, they remodeled and updated 3 or 4 years ago, so you get the all the features, plus the charm and space. So, who do you know looking for a great big home on 1/3 of an acre? Joe Barfield 210-745-0892 The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams Valley Hi 4-2.5 Neo Colonial - $124,700 Living Room A remodeled, updated, two-story, ready for move-in Neo Colonial home in Valley Hi. Avoid the traffic in north San Antonio and choose this sweet 3/2 on the south-west side near Lackland Air Force Base. 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths - $124,700 2,052 square feet See the Virtual Tour Built in 1964 Two car garage Central Heating and air conditioning Covered patio and Large backyard Completely re-modeled by adding storm windows, aluminum siding and current HVAC unit. Remodeled baths and updated kitchen Great natural light from 21 windows plus a skylight Convenient to Sea World, Valley High park and Lackland Air Force Base. Plus SW Research Institute. What else is Nearby? View the Map Neighborhood Located towards south-west San Antonio, the Valley Hi neighborhood is in close proximity to the Lackland Air Force Base. Located in Northside Independent School District, elementary and middle schools including Lackland City Elementary School and Valley Hi Elementary school are located within a couple of miles. Valley Hi park, Asia Kitchen, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Sonic Drive-in and Mama Lee's Soul Food are located within a mile. HEB #11 and Tiago's are also nearby. Some Wonderful Memories Covered Patio The current owners, Cristina and Roland, share their favorite memories of 127, Harrow Drive. It's quick launch to Downtown - 13 miles - 15 miles; Highway 151 (including Sea World - 10 minutes) Tiago's on 151 - Great food and drinks - best enjoyed on their southwestern outdoor patio. Empanadas, Fajitas, everything is delicious! Elementary and Middle school are within 1.0 to 1.5. High school - students are bussed from the Neighborhood - the school bus stop is 2 houses away. Beautiful nature walk within 500 feet from your front door. The Air Force Village has recently created a fantastic nature walk along Ravenswood Drive crossing over an area creek. Often you will see many types of birds, recently we walk upon a 3 foot white crane hunting for fish at the creek. Great views from either of the dining room tables. The formal dining room faces the street - always viewing the neighborhood kids, etc. The kitchen dinning room faces the backyard - always viewing the birds, squirrels, kids playing etc. House faces the south - being on top of a hill - almost nightly you have a coastal breeze coming from the south. We often sleep with the windows open. Feeling like you are more out in the country vs. the city; beautiful sunrises and sunsets from the upstairs windows. Backyard covered parking area - our family built it and used it to store motorboats and sailboats - it has a pull-up driveway and locked access. Great storage - from interior closets, two car garage with shelving, to a large attic, to the outdoor outsized storage shed with shelving - all your storage is covered! The natural light - 21 windows and huge sky light - the house is filled with natural light at all times - this effect adds to the open, comfortable house feeling The house layout - from the unique bathrooms layout to flow of the downstairs rooms - the house capitalizes on the 2052 square feet to provide a cozy yet spacious layout The entire lot is .25 of an acre - great space. The Backyard - by far the favorite hang out for all birds and squirrels. We have a bird bath and bird feeder which seems to feed everyone. We are outside in the backyard almost every evening enjoying the yard - it is huge and great to run around in. Large enough to build a swimming pool The house is completely remodeled - my father had always taken care of the important items - adding storm windows, aluminum siding, current HVAC unit, etc. Three and a half years ago, we remodeled the house - new bathrooms, carpet, flooring, backyard fencing, etc. Now, the house is updated and well maintained. It has been extremely well cared for by our family. We have always loved this house, my father often referred to it as our "family sanctuary." The House - is a warm, wonderful environment for a family - serenity, peaceful, happy - hard to describe the essence of a house - put this one has been special to our family for 34 years. Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call me or my team if you are interested in this home. Sincerely, Joe Barfield The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams Realty homes@joebarfield.com 210-745-0892 www.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com www.JoesListings.Blogspot.com- Architectural History Blog www.SAMusicAndArt.com- Art, Music & Architecture Newsletter What are houses selling for near my home? The architectural write-up is provided by Dr. Roff. Any reference to families is strictly academic. The Joe Barfield Group embraces all Equal Opportunity Housing Laws. © Copyright 2008 All rights Reserved, Joe Barfield.

Joe Barfield 227 Rose Ln San Antonio TX 78212