515 Randolph Avenue SE | Downtown Huntsville

515 Randolph Avenue offers a truly rare opportunity to own and enjoy one of the largest and most private compounds in downtown Huntsville. This 8,171 square foot estate home includes the Main Home, Guest House, and Summer House/Workshop. The property is gated and centered around a stunning outdoor entertaining area, including gardens originally designed by Bill Nance, outdoor wood burning fireplace, a beautiful fountain, and covered breezeways.

The main house was built in approximately 1885 by contractor Peter Cartwright for George Hunt, the grandson of the original founder of Huntsville, John Hunt. The home exemplifies the sawn wood “ginger bread” design detailing characteristic of Carpenter Gothic architecture. 

The Main Home was united with the two adjacent cottages at the rear of the property in the 1990s by the previous owner. The three backyards were adjoined to make this expansive retreat in the heart of the city’s center, minutes (by foot or by car) from Huntsville’s best restaurants, nightlife, shops, and entertainment district. A second story and additional rear square footage was also added to the main home during this time.

The Main Home, 515 Randolph Avenue, features 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and 5 indoor fireplaces. The foyer opens to the music/living room with beautiful built-ins and window seat. This room seamlessly flows into the dining room and is gently separated by a woodburning fireplace. On the opposite side of the foyer entrance, you find the grand study with wood built-ins, rich paneling, and a fireplace. Down the hall, the main level Master Suite comes complete with separate his and her bathrooms, including a soaking tub, walk-in shower, two toilet areas, and two sink vanities. The bathrooms are separated by a number of walk-in closets, built-in drawers and shelves, linen closets, and a makeup vanity. The study is also accessible from the Master Suite. This entire front portion of the home, including the powder bath, features the original hardwood floors - all in excellent condition. 

Conveniently off of the dining room is the butler’s pantry with a sink, wine refrigerator, ice machine, and dishwasher. There is also a passthrough to the hallway – a perfect serving bar for gatherings. The large laundry room features ample storage and space for an additional refrigerator and freezer.

The main hall ends at the bright and open family room with beautiful paneling, built-ins, fireplace with stone surround, and a row of French doors. With each room retaining its own unique charm, the family room opens to the large kitchen and keeping room. Butcher block counters adorn the perimeter cabinets while the center island is marble. The current owners extended the functionality of the island by adding a freestanding stainless table – an unexpected and skillfully designed improvement. The kitchen features the highest quality appliances, including a hooded Viking range and double oven, additional Viking oven and warming drawer, Viking refrigerator and freezer, and a KitchenAid microwave and dishwasher. There is a porte-cochere directly off of the kitchen through the front gated entrance, simplifying grocery unloading. Off the kitchen and on the same hall as the laundry room, there is a large walk-in pantry and conditioned 850 bottle wine cellar.

The three additional bedrooms are located upstairs and are extremely spacious. Two of the bedrooms are adjoined by a large bathroom with a walk-in shower and clawfoot tub. These rooms enjoy much privacy as they are separated by a hall, study nook, and walk-in closet. The third bedroom features a private office with built-in desk and storage, as well as an ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower, soaking tub, vanity area, and large walk-in closet.

Morning coffee or evening cocktails taste that much better on the Main Home’s screened porch overlooking the vast gardens. As you walk under the cover of the breezeways through the beautifully landscaped yard, you will pass by a number of idyllic outdoor experiences, from the woodburning fireplace and lounge area, built-in gas grill with prep counter, and the immaculately maintained circular garden. A sprinkler system maintains the estate’s lushness. The shutters that flank the deep carport can be opened to allow the space to be used as a festive alfresco dining area for larger outdoor soirees. There is also a single car garage, currently used as storage, that provides the entrance to 524 Clinton Avenue, also known as the estate’s Summer House/Workshop. The Summer House is currently used as a staging area for the garden, craft/wrapping room, and an office. It also has a full bathroom and adorable front porch. The Guest House is next door at 526 Clinton Avenue. Accessed off the gardens and through a lovely ornamental blue door, this home is fully equipped with a kitchen, living room with fireplace, and two generously sized bedrooms, and two bathrooms. The foyer entrance is spacious and could serve as an office or sitting area. 

The property is fully enclosed with two driveway entrances, both gated, on Randolph and Clinton Avenues. There is a basement cellar in the Main Home with a concrete floor that houses electrical There is a Culligan whole house water softener in the Main Home, as well as Rinnai water heaters in both the Main Home and Guest House. All of the 5 HVAC units are new within the last 6 years. The exterior paint is in excellent condition as it was stripped to the original wood and repainted under the current owners’ direction. All three homes are protected by a central alarm security system through Locktek. A new roof was added to the Main House in 2013 and to the two rear homes in 2016.