Half duplex built at the turn of the century that is nearly 2500 sq ft with finished basement and 5 bedrooms.
Jim and Sue Farmer
Street Address: 411 West Sixth Ave.
When the housing market crashed in 2006, Jim’s side career as a house flipper shared a similar fate. Together with a law partner, Jim had purchased numerous rehab properties in Columbus’ historical neighborhoods, including the 411/413 West Sixth properties. Each property, built around 1905, had been managed as student housing and featured five bedrooms and one bath. Although Jim and his law partner had sufficient funds to rehab and sell 413, they lacked the funds to do the same to 411. Jim and his wife, Sue, opted to purchase and rehab 411 themselves, with the intent to eventually sell it. Because of budgetary constraints (and some slight ego) the couple did not use an outside architect or interior designer on the project, and, instead of “rebuild and replace,” they adopted the “preserve and restore” approach wherever possible.
About halfway through the eight-month project, Jim and Sue realized that, with their kids grown and out of the house, and the fact they both worked downtown (not to mention the proximity to Columbus’ cultural attractions), it made more sense to sell their home in Dublin and move into the 411 home.
The home features a family room located on the first floor, a master bedroom located on the second floor and a two-car garage. During the rehab process, they converted one of the four bedrooms on the second floor to a master bath, added a bath between the two bedrooms on the third floor and added a half bath on the main floor. When done, the total square footage, approximately 2500, was almost identical to their Dublin home.
Shortly after the couple moved in, they added 600 square feet of finished space in the basement, including a kitchenette and a craft room, as well as a 150 sq. ft. sunroom on the back of the house. More recently, they replaced the first-floor ceilings, kitchen floor and kitchen appliances. The couple’s eclectic tastes are reflected in the Art Deco posters and numerous paintings amassed from frequent trips to mid-Ohio antique stores.
Jim and Sue say they love living in the Short North where all of Columbus’ cultural amenities are a very short drive away and many, including OSU Football and the Short North Stage, are within easy walking distance.
