Meridian-Kessler farmhouse gets new life
The first plan called to tear down the Meridian-Kessler farmhouse. Developer Paul Estridge had purchased the corner lot at 57th Street and Central Avenue with an eye toward building three new homes on the site that had once been a large working farm, incorporating much of the area. The small 1886 farmhouse seemed to belong to a different era.
Then, at the request of the Meridian Kessler Neighborhood Association’s Land Use Committee, Estridge toured the house and immediately saw the possibilities.
The developer did build two new homes on either side of the farmhouse. Instead of tearing this home down, he decided to restore it. The end result blends a modern feel with some historic touches throughout the home, such as a crosshatch design theme, the original wraparound porch and oak floors.
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When you enter the first floor through the original farmhouse door, you have a sense of the home the way it was: the parlor to your left with its hearth fireplace and the dining room to the right.
Similarities to the past end there.
Beyond the dining room sits a brand new kitchen, with an island topped by a butcher block and a farmhouse sink, hearkening back to the home’s roots. Storage space in the kitchen abounds from the cabinetry on the walls to the drawers of the island.
“We tried to keep the farmhouse feel,” said real estate agent Mark Branch. “It’s like a magazine.”
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The kitchen feeds into a family room or more casual living room the developer added on to the house to provide the first floor with additional communal space.
A master suite on the second floor overlooks the street and has a sizable master bath with a tub and shower, as well as walk-in closet with windows.
“We think we did all the modern conveniences,” Branch said.
The master shares the floor with another full bath and smaller bedroom that could serve as a den or nursery. The converted attic has two additional bedrooms separated by another bathroom.
A two-car garage stands in the back of the house and a small yard allows for entertaining.
The renovated house made its debut in June as part of the Meridian Kessler Home Tour. More than 2,000 people toured the property to meet one of the newest oldest neighbors on the block.
Call IndyStar reporter Shari Rudavsky at (317) 444-6354. Follow her on Twitter: @srudavsky.
About the home
• Location: 512 E. 57th St.
• Asking price: $674,900.
• Details: Four bedrooms, four baths, two-car garage, three fireplaces, wrap-around porch.
• BLC #: 21410747.
• Contact: Mark J. Branch, (317) 403-4397, www.markbranch.com.