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Published Tuesday, November 10, 2009 in Local
Special
Southern Living magazine’s newest “Idea House” will be at the old McKnight Gin property.
Why did Southern Living pick Senoia?
By Jeff Bishop
The Times-Herald
Southern Living magazine has been highlighting unique off-the-beaten path southern towns for decades. And now it's Senoia's turn.
The magazine has now officially announced that its newest "Idea House" will be at the old McKnight Gin property.
"With the growing attention on small town life and family-oriented, walkable communities, we set our sights on finding a historic town under revitalization," said Kristen Payne, director Southern Living Homes Group, at a gathering at Maguire's Irish Pub in Senoia.
She described Senoia as "a small Georgia town where the main street looks like a scene out of the movie 'Driving Miss Daisy' -- but look deeper and you will find a community committed to eco-friendly construction right down to the electric cars parked in front of the diner."
"This town is blending the best of today with the nostalgia of yesterday," said Payne. "It's why we chose this location to tell our story with this year's Idea House."
The home in Senoia will be the first ever Southern Living brownstone project. It will be designed by the team of architects at Historical Concepts from Peachtree City.
Senoia will feature one of two Southern Living Idea Houses to be built in 2010. The house will open for tours in early June 2010 with ticket proceeds benefitting The American Cancer Society Cattle Baron's Ball 2010.
Jamie Elliott McPherson of Hearth and Home Interiors of Newnan was selected by Southern Living as the interior designer for the project. McPherson's own home in Roscoe is featured in the current November 2009 issue, "showcasing his nod to comfort, style and a Southern feel," she said.
"His sophisticated style and unique ability to blend antiques with urban style is simply innate," she said. "Jamie's work as a noted kitchen designer has earned him recognition both locally and nationally."
Completing the team is John Bynum Custom Homes, Inc., one of the Atlanta area's premier custom home builders.
The Historic Senoia Project is a downtown redevelopment initiative in the Senoia historic district, undertaken by the principles of RiverWood Studios, who describe the new project as "an in-town urban living, dining and cultural experience that includes shopping, attractions and ambience."
Many of the vacant parcels of land in Senoia's Historic District have been acquired for the purpose of constructing period infill development, designed to blend seamlessly with the town's existing architecture set between the late 1800s and the early 1900s.
Scott Tigchelaar, president of RiverWood Studios, said the Historic Senoia Project's gin property development's recognition by Southern Living is "thrilling."
"You just can't buy that type of exposure," he said. "It should be phenomenal," and could lead tens of thousands of tourists to come visit the site.
"The house has to be done by May 1 so that it can be furnished and photographed in the month of May and opened to the public in June," he said.
The particular structure that will be featured will be one of the brownstones that Tigchelaar hopes to use to attract not only residents but also film production companies to Senoia.
The brownstone will be similar to the brownstones found in New York so that "the town could actually double for New York" or Boston during a film shoot, he said.
The 3,700-square-foot, 3.5-story idea house will be the first of five such luxury brownstones to be constructed. It will feature a courtyard, a plunge pool and a grilling pavilion. It will also feature a rooftop terrace and an elevator. The brownstones will be priced around $600,000-$1 million.
The first brownstone will be open to the public through Christmas 2010, Tigchelaar said.
"Usually these Idea Houses are only open for three or four months, but with all of Senoia's Christmas events and their tour of homes, it would be remiss not to redecorate for Christmas and be open for the holidays," said Tigchelaar.
Senoia City Council waived a variety of water, sewer and building fees for the Southern Living Idea House at last week's council meeting.
The council had been asked to waive certain fees for the townhouse and for the other four units attached to it by Tigchelaar.
Mayor Robert Belisle warned that waiving fees for the other four units would set a dangerous precedent and instead made a motion to waive additional fees only for the Idea House.
Tigchelaar said the magazine estimates that "anywhere from 30,000 to 40,000-plus people" will come to Senoia and tour the home.
"The effect of that on local merchants is significant," Tigchelaar said.
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Looks like the best kept secret on the south side of Atlanta is out! We moved here from Fayetteville a year ago for a simpler way of life and we found it. The historic homes are lovely, The Main Street shops and restaurants are charming, and the people here are very welcoming. Looks like Southern Living Magazine found here what we had already discovered....A town with the best of both the old and new South that is a truly a gem!
Posted by Pam Small at 8:27 PM
It doesn't take a great deal of intelligence to see that what Riverwood has done so far has revitalized Senoia's Main St. People said they were crazy to build Class A space in a dead town... but it's worked beautifully. So it would seem that expensive development DOES create jobs. I know their realtors are happy, they've pre-sold 2 out of the 5 brownstones, and 2 more are about to go under contract. It seems there are some environmentally conscious people out there who DO value quality. You won't recognize them, they're not from around here. Yes, the first houses are a bit grand, but that's what Southern Living chose, and HELLO?... Senoia is 35 minutes from Hartsfield, it's far from the middle of nowhere. If you prefer to 'stay simple', I suggest you head further south. You can live in squalor and throw trash out of your pickup truck window... you'll love it.
Posted by Senoia Realtor at 7:06 AM
As a Senoia resident and a real estate appraiser this is just CRAZY. The revitalization of Senoia is great, but it is still in the middle of NO WHERE. Would be really surprised if they sell them, they will probably end up being expensive, vacant movie props. What we need is a real grocery store or AT least a CVS or Wal-greens. Expensive houses do not create sustainable jobs for the Senoia local economy. Plus I am SURE they will be fill with "green" quality construction that No One in this market is paying extra for!! Let's Start SIMPLE!!
Posted by You have to be kidding me at 9:42 AM
Hey "MB", if you're already 'in Senoia', why on earth are you worried about affording a million dollar home?
Posted by Senoia Resident at 8:58 PM
I live in Senoia, and I just love the fact that Riverwood Studios and Southern Living are single handedly keeping my property values from plummeting like everywhere else. I may never afford a brownstone, but I sure do love living in the new Senoia. It's wonderful!
Posted by Senoia Resident at 8:22 PM
Hello? There's going to be homes at all different price points... it just so happens that the idea house and those attached are large, and the price tag is higher. Everyone complained that Senoia was dying. Everyone complained that Dollar General was going to build there... now you complain because Senoia has been revitalized, and someone is actually INVESTING there? Honestly... QUIT YER BLOODY COMPLAINING!! Did it ever occur to you that your negative attitude might be part of YOUR problem?
Posted by Go Senoia! at 8:18 PM
I am so glad Jamie is involved, He is extremely talented and a super nice guy. I love brownstones, and would love to see more,(maybe a little smaller) but I love the style, which attracts unique individuals and families.
Posted by devan at 8:13 PM
Senoia is very progressive, but still has that small town charm. They are always doing something first before other towns in Coweta or the county itself.
Posted by Jodie at 8:06 PM
i like the fact they are rebuilding senoia but why not build homes people can afford. lets think of normal people not just the rich ones
Posted by james at 2:56 PM
I grew up in senoia. I never thought they would run te poor people out and put million dollar houses in it. This is not peachtree city everyone is not rich
Posted by james at 2:49 PM
Senoia is Coweta...duh idiot
Posted by cassie at 2:47 PM
Senoia is in Coweta. Just more pretty things about the County to bring in more traffic and people as the other person said. "good old days" are gone.
Posted by Senoia at 12:41 PM
Senoia is and always will be a part of Coweta county. I think the person meant that Senoia has a small town feel to it and hopes it stays that way. Newnan and Grantville are slowly losing their small town vibe.
Posted by Think about it at 12:34 PM
I thought Senoia was Coweta. Just sayig.
Posted by Jules at 12:16 PM
Just wait a few years down the road. Senoia will be like Coweta is now with traffic and people and those that were there early on will reminisce about the "good old days" before all the growth. Besides who in Senoia can afford a million dollar home?
Posted by mb at 10:01 AM
I sure would like to know the value of the"fees" that are being waived. They would certainly be a small drop in the bucket compared to the money that this project will bring into town. I too am looking forward to this project being finished. It has been a long time in the works.
Posted by Paul D Noble at 9:52 AM
I can't wait. I have not missed seeing a Southern Living idea house in years and a "brownstone" is such a great idea I wish I was looking for a place to live. Thank you Southern Living! I am looking forward to the tour.
Posted by Patsy at 7:15 AM
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Senoia Realtor
11/13/2009
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Great comment!!!
Posted by chippy at 7:45 AM