Where We Live: A weekly look at the homes in the Cape Fear Region
WILMINGTON — Love the city life? This week’s Where We Live is a historic downtown Wilmington apartment that has been home to several people in the film industry, including famous actress and model Katie Holmes.
For sale is apartment 1, located on the second floor of the building at 210 N. Front St. The historic building was constructed in 1919 and is now being used as a mix-use property, with storefront on the first floor.
Nearly a century in existence, the historic building has been renovated a number of times, with additional renovations planned for the building’s lobby area, according to realtor Jeff Hovis, broker/realtor for Intracoastal Realty. The one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, and the building still have some of the original features, such as hardwood flooring, moldings and old-time character.
A number of people in the television and movie industry have stayed in the apartment, including Holmes, who stayed at the apartment during her rise to stardom as an actress in the Warner Bros. teen drama “Dawson’s Creek” (1998 to 2003), according to Hovis.
Over the years, the apartment has also been an Air B&B and rental property. This could also make the property a potential source income for the buyer, since an Air B&B is permitted in Wilmington’s central business district.
“That’s what makes it attractive … you can live here or can have income. It has both potentials,” Hovis said.
Potential buyers don’t have to worry about downtown parking if they choose to make the apartment their home. The purchase of the 765-sq. ft. apartment comes with two years of parking in the city parking decks of Second Street, which is just a minutes walk away from the building.
Located in the heart of Wilmington, the apartment’s backyard is downtown Wilmington. Hovis said the apartment has also been featured on the “Downtown Lifestyle Tour.”
The apartment is a walk away from many of the downtown shops, eateries and restaurants. It’s also a block away from Carolina Farmin’ — downtown Wilmington’s new full-scale grocery store, which opened in November.
Read related story: Carolina Farmin’ delivers on ‘local’ promises in downtown Wilmington (Photos)
There’s always something to do that’s within walking distance, with access to the riverfront, several venues, clubs, festivals, farmers’ markets and other activities downtown Wilmington has to offer.
Though downtown is full of activity, Hovis said the apartment can still be a quite getaway from the busy downtown atmosphere.
“You don’t even know that outside exists,” said Hovis of the apartment. “It’s very peaceful. Front Street can have a lot of activity. But you have the benefit of being located in the center of everything, but don’t have all the noise.”
With the right offer, the designer-decorated apartment could come completely furnished “as is,” Hovis said. Other features of the apartment include 10-foot ceilings, hurricane-proof windows, and has utilities — water, sewer, trash, maintenance and wind/hail insurance — included in the HOA fee. The annual amount of the HOA fee is just under $3,000.
Though the one-bedroom apartment may not be the most ideal home for families, the area is zoned for Snipes Elementary School, Williston Middle School and New Hanover High School.
This dig is on the market at $199,000.
Where We Live is a weekly feature looking at the homes and unique places to stay in the Cape Fear Region. Do you have a home, on or off the market, that our readers may be interested in seeing? Let us know at PCD@localvoicemedia.com.
For more information about this week’s home or to view the property, contact Jeff Hovis at 910-512-2205 (cell) or 910-509-1967 (office). You can also email Hovis at jhovis@intracoastalrealty.com. Visit the Intrracoastal Realty website for additional details about the property.
