Since moving in over a year ago, we have had a few neighboring houses fixed up and some new neighbors moving in. Still, our street has remained pretty vacant, especially the burned up house directly across the street from us. Its been up for auction many times with quite a few people who have supposedly purchased it, but it remained vacant, untouched. Our realtor (and West End neighbor) Nia Knowles had it right before we even moved in: “That ones going to be there for a hot minute!”

The hot minute has passed; this month Ol’ Burney received some TLC and renovations have officially begun. It was purchased by an investor who owns a few other homes in the neighborhood. We’ve seen the renovations of his other properties and they have been top notch, so we are excited to see the much needed change that is coming to Beecher Street.

Ol’ Burney is a turn of the century double shotgun style bungalow. The duplex had been previously renovated and was quite nice on the inside. Our friends and neighbors on Grady Place actually were under contract on this house when it was broken into and set on fire (days before their closing!) Needless to say, they never moved in. Despite the fire damage, the house still has a ton of potential. Our only concern with it being renovated was that it would remain a duplex. We quickly informed the general contractor and owner of the house that the historic district mandates that all homes be converted to single family housing.

We are excited to see the changes to Ol’ Burney and the continuing new life that is coming to Beecher Street! Stay tuned for more updates as another West End home is restored to its beauty in the coming weeks.

-Kevin and Lindsey

Filed under: The House on July 26th, 2009