Downtown Living Home Tour:
Lofty Spaces in Historic Downtown Spaces-
A historic first! Sunday, October 4, 2009
Thanks to homeowners, sponsors and attendees for a wonderful, groundbreaking Tour for 2009!

Yes, folks do live in Downtown Abilene, and you've gotta see these stylish lofts and apartments! From the Wooten Penthouse to a warehouse loft in South Downtown (SoDA), we've got the most beautiful residences in places you thought were offices.

The Preservation League has been hosting home tours each fall for over thirty years... but never before have we ventured downtown to focus on the urban pioneers who are turning some of the most interesting spaces in town into beautiful spaces.

Join us between 1:00 and Friday on Sunday October 4th and see what these five homeowners have done with their spaces. There is building interest in downtown residential, and the APL wants to highlight the excellent examples that are already here. Here's the lineup:

In the beautifully restored and historic Wooten Hotel Apartments at 1102 North Second Street, visit the penthouse apartment of Kayla and David Christianson. An outdoor patio and unsurpassed views on all sides will greet you. David and Kayla live and work in the Wooten; they are owners of InFocus Digital, a high-quality multimedia production firm which is located on the first floor corner of Cypress and North 3rd. Their commute is short--and vertical!

Then take the elevator down to the brand-new apartment of Rebecca Allen. You'll know Rebecca as the person who created Relics, the wonderful furniture store at the corner of Hickory and North First that welcomes everyone to downtown. In fact, a special Preservation League Member Appreciation & Preview Party will be held at Relics on Saturday night October 3rd. Here's more info about how you can attend the party!

When you return to the beautifully restored Wooten lobby, enjoy some Sunday afternoon musical entertainment and snacks. Then head out down the street to 834 North 3rd Street, where the home of Stan Chapman can't be missed. It is the two-story former offices of Riley Maxwell Company; Mr. Maxwell was a well known geologist in Abilene for many years, and was followed Barton Cox, who officed in the building most recently.

And right next door, the wonderfully talented Chief Curator of the Grace Museum, Judy Deaton, has a visual treat in store for you at her first floor loft at 826 North 3rd. This loft was part of H.V. Chapman & Sons Bookbinders in the 1930s through 1950s. The magnificent front wooden windows ensure plenty of light throughout the year.

Now jump in the car and head over to our representative up-and-coming location for the South Downtown area, which those in the know are referring to as SoDA... for South Downtown Abilene. It's located in the Universal Manufacturing Building at 150 Locust Street (two blocks east of Chestnut Street at the intersection with South 2nd. The building was built to last, in 1927. On the second floor you'll find the loft of the talented Libby Taylor. While you're parked on Locust Street, take a walk around the Burlington Depot across the street, which was built as the Abilene & Northern Railway Company, the railroad started by none other than W.G. Swenson and associates, and built by Colonel Morgan Jones. Mr. Fal Falcioni owns the building and loves it. Look in the windows and glimpse what transportation was like when Abilene had two railroads providing passenger service!

We thank our 2009 Home Tour Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor
Perry Hunter Hall, Inc. Insurance

Sponsors
Relics, 1292 North 1st Street
Bill Reed Distributing
Hickory Street Cafe
Abilene Physical Therapy, Inc.
Bogie's Sandwich Shop
Fabulous Finds

Special Thanks
Candies by Vletas

The Fall Home Tour this year was presented by
Perry Hunter Hall, Inc. Insurance

view from the Kayla and David Christenson home, Wooten Hotel Apartments Penthouse

In the Allen home in the Wooten, Rebecca brings the same talent for dramatic settings that she so successfully puts together at Relics. Photography by Tiffany Turk

A manufacturing building's loft, from the Libby Taylor home

a loft sitting area, from the Libby Taylor home

Arched windows and generous ceiling heights are a distinctive feature of the penthouses at the Wooten.

The Allen residence at the Wooten. Photography by Tiffany Turk.