Vintage Sanctuary in Southwest Durham

Oct. 11, 2012 - PRLog -- If you’re looking for an extraordinary sanctuary of your very own, look no further than Southwest Durham’s 5201 George King Road. Positioned amidst green pastures, towering hardwoods, and lush landscaping on 4.88 idyllic acres, this lodge-inspired home features 5 bedrooms and 4 baths in its 3,859 square feet. Read on to learn more about this rustic retreat!

Built by the renowned and respected Chapel Hill builder JP Goforth in 1978, 5201 George King Road is a spacious home of character-filled accents. A sampling of these distinctions include heart of pine flooring and millwork throughout the home from an Apex, NC schoolhouse, circa 1928, a magnificent two-story stone fireplace, a wall of 12’ windows in the living room, and a dining room wall crafted of reclaimed brick from Hillsborough’s Eno Mill. The home’s main level consists of a large entry hall, expansive living, dining, and family rooms, a well-organized kitchen with an adjacent breakfast room, a master bedroom, a guest bedroom, and a laundry/utility room. Bedrooms three and four plus an oversized storage area are found upstairs; bedroom five is located in the home’s lower level, along with a bonus living area and kitchen. This lower level can be utilized as an in-law suite, as it provides its own private entrance. Outdoor living areas include a tremendous deck just outside of the living and breakfast rooms, and an adjoining (and very inviting) screened porch off of the master bedroom. A patio below the screened porch provides yet another option for outdoor enjoyment, under the umbrella of nearby shade trees.

“This is a remarkable, very unique home,” says Paul J. Stinson, broker with Prudential York Simpson Underwood Realty’s Irby-Stinson Team. “It was built for Dr. and Mrs. James Harper, the original and still current owners; Mrs. Harper designed the home with the help of draftsman Merle Dixon. The open and airy feel of the home with lots of natural lighting combined with the rustic appeal of the woodwork reflect Mrs. Harper’s desire for authenticity throughout the home. The Harpers have taken immaculate care of the home and grounds… Their love for the estate is quite evident.”

An example of Mrs. Harper’s exceptional eye for detail in design is the height of the home’s living room windows. Originally planned as 10’ windows, Mrs. Harper noted that not only did the windows fail to give the full perspective of the wooded backyard that she desired, but also that 10’ windows wouldn’t allow a view of the moon in the eastern sky from a seated position in the living room. Two foot transom windows were added over the 10’ panel windows, providing a lovely view of both the forest and the heavens.

“With its mountain-lodge charm, it’s hard to believe that 5201 George King Road is located just 500’ from the Chapel Hill city limit,” Paul continues. “It’s a Durham address with low Durham County taxes – No city taxes – Yet minutes to wonderful conveniences like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and A Southern Season. Creekside Elementary School is literally 1/3 of a mile away. The location is simply superb. It’s a fantastic opportunity, priced at $599,900. You just don’t find this quality type of home on almost five beautiful acres of land in this location.”

“We have truly loved living here,” summarizes Dr. Harper. “We christened this property Greene Branch Farm when we moved here, and we have a sign designating it as such on the fence in the front pasture. It’s named after the family farm in Greene County where I grew up. It will be hard to leave, with all of the memories we’ve created here, but after recently retiring from 45 years with the UNC School of Medicine, we’re ready for a change. We want someone to enjoy this home as much as we have, and love it as much as we do. It’s time for a new family to come in and make this home their own.”

Learn more about the sanctuary at 5201 George King Road today! To visit, take University Drive to south on Hope Valley Road; south again on Highway 54. Turn right on Farrington Road; left on Ephesus Church Road; and left on George King Road. 5201 is on the left.

For more details and to schedule a private showing, contact Paul J. Stinson at (919) 621-2929.