511 West Short Street Offers Luxury, Privacy & Historic Charm
Photography by Shaun Ring
Intricate detailing and impeccable taste can be seen throughout the home, from the handcrafted woodwork adorning the staircase to the plaster crown molding in the living and dining rooms.
The open, spacious floor plan offers amazing natural light and plenty of room to breathe. The floors are painted and sealed in black semi-gloss with cream accent rugs. The plaster crown molding is original to the home. Using a mold made from a section of the plaster that had fallen down, they had an artisan recreate it. Ballroom chandeliers from the old Phoenix hotel adorn the living and dining rooms.
Works of modern art can be seen throughout the home, including an intriguing metal sculpture by Elizabeth Burke. “It was part of a contest. A motor company challenged artists to make a sculpture using car parts, and that piece was originally a radiator,” said Ernesto.
Works of modern art can be seen throughout the home, including an intriguing metal sculpture by Elizabeth Burke. “It was part of a contest. A motor company challenged artists to make a sculpture using car parts, and that piece was originally a radiator,” said Ernesto.
The sun-drenched kitchen was entirely redone using IKEA cabinetry for
a fresh, modern look. A true chef’s kitchen, it features
a stainless steel island by Bryant’s Sheet Metal, double ovens, a Thermadore range, stainless steel appliances and a custom limestone slab countertop from Lexington Cut Stone. Open stainless steel shelving keep much-used kitchen accessories close at hand, while floor to ceiling windows look out over landscaped outdoor spaces.
One of the home’s most unique features is the four-story tower, which offers exceptional city views and a first hand experience of Lexington history. Ernesto explained that as part of the orphanage’s annual fundraiser, they would host a dinner and dance, and children would sit in each of the tower’s windows, holding candles. Today, it would make an excellent greenhouse or space to store less hardy plants during the winter.
As realtor Sonia Scorsone explained, “This property has so much potential since it is zoned for residential as well as B2B commercial purposes. A buyer can do almost anything from a private residence to bed and breakfast, hotel, or museum”.