185 First Street

In-Town, 1924-built mill cottage, located 1 block from Downtown, in the most green-centric neighborhood in Athens: just blocks from Dudley Park ( site of future amphitheater ), the N Oconee River, Greenway Trails, Firefly Trails, Walker Park, N Oconee River Parks, Trail Creek; all within walk/bike distance of UGA & Downtown Athens. This neighborhood, referred to as Chicopee-Dudley, is one of the earliest developed areas in Athens. This cottage reflects a style of housing commonly built for workers of Chicopee Mill, a pre-Civil War Mill built on the N Oconee River, a block away, on the Eastern boundary of Downtown. Typically, these cottages were very solidly built, with beaded wood walls/ceilings, and double layer old growth pine flooring. There’s been a trend toward beautifully and artfully restoring these historic cottages, and 185 First Street offers that opportunity. It sits on a terraced lot, elevated above the street, with a room sized screened front porch, a Japanese maple in front yard, 4 car parking behind house, the back yard framed by pecan trees. There’s a newer architectural shingle roof, the the siding has been wrapped with a wider style vinyl siding, presumably to protect what’s underneath and provide lower maintenance, and storm windows installed to protect older windows and add energy efficiency. Inside, much of the original character has been covered up, with Sheetrock on walls/ceilings ( likely covering original beaded wood ), and the wood flooring covered with carpet ( the plan is to remove carpet soon ). Otherwise, the original rooms have taller ceilings, simple mantles, large windows, and there are several closets where one can view the original beadboard walls still exposed. The kitchen and bath are functional, but dated, so buyers might want to customize both to their aesthetic preferences. There is an unfinished room that’s been added to the rear of the house, which currently only houses a hot water heater and has w/d connections. With plumbing in place, part of this room might be a good site for a 2nd bathroom. Lots of creative possibilities abound. These days, it’s rare to see a property located next to Downtown priced in the low 200s; it does need some work, but it’s a nice lot and a great location, within blocks of everything that makes In town living so desirable: access to an arts-centric, culturally diverse, college community, in a highly green neighborhood.