Step
Inside and Explore the Mystique of this Faded Historic Southern Mansion.
One of my
favorite places to visit in the south is the historic Noble Hardee Mansion. In
fact, I make it a point to get to this amazing and ultra-historic home every
summer when I’m in Savannah, Georgia.
This slightly spooky Italianate style
home is actually known as the “last unrestored grand mansion of Savannah.”
Go upstairs and
explore every nook.
Unrestored, but
completely jaw-dropping, this notable 1870’s era home is now home to Alex
Raskin Antiques, a phenomenally unique antique store.
As you explore the four
stories of this glorious old mansion, you’ll come across thousands of amazing
antiques, some that are piled sky high on top of each other.
Wall-to-wall and
floor-to-ceiling this place is packed with the most incredible antique
furnishings, chandeliers and ancestral portraits.
Make sure to go upstairs and check
out the amazing views of the city from this home’s numerous outdoor balconies
and upstairs porches.
A stunning
mansion filled with antiques
While
first time visitors may be shocked to see the historic home in its
time-worn and somewhat run-down state, most others embrace the faded grandeur
that adds to its fascination and charm.
Inside, ceilings and walls in a
deteriorating state, the carpets are worn, but the intrigue overshadows these
flaws.
One can only imagine the pristine beauty of this home when it hosted the
most glorious gatherings and important guests over 100 years ago.
Picture-perfect
beauty from the street
Fancy
cast iron balconies and rusty outer window frames harmonize beautifully with
the crumbling gray and pink stucco that covers its exterior.
The faded glory of
this home meshes beautifully with the Spanish moss and tree lined streets that
surround it.
At the entrance
of the store, you’ll find that layers of history await you through the shabby chic blue door with its original glass doorknob.
One
of the most beautiful spots in Savannah.
Located
on the southern end of Savannah’s historic district at 3 West Gordon Street,
the entrance to the antique store is at street level at the corner of 441 Bull
Street.
You’ll enter through an amazing patinated blue door with its antique
amethyst glass door knob.
This grand architectural dream faces Monterey Square,
which is one of the prettiest tree lined parks in Savannah.
Historic
Savannah’s architectural charm.
The
home is named after its first owner, Noble Hardee, a cotton merchant who
began building the home in 1860, but died before its completion.
Throughout the
Civil War, this mansion remained uncompleted until the Reconstruction era
of the 1870s when it became one of the city’s most sophisticated residences.
Exploring
this historic home is quite an adventure. As you make your way through the
labyrinth of antiques, you’ll notice amazing architectural details like these
chunky door frames and 15 foot tall ceilings accented with elegant moldings.
Don’t forget to look up while exploring this slightly spooky, but fascinating antique store.
With ceilings
and walls in a deteriorating state, one can only imagine this home during its
heyday over a century ago.
Ancestral
portraits line the stairway walls, and add to the mystery of this historic
unrestored home.
The balconies and upstairs porches of this Italianate
mansion turned antique store are also filled with interesting heirlooms, and offer
amazing views of the southern end of Savannah’s historic district.
An intriguing place to visit
If you’re in Savannah and would love to visit this grand manor and store, you’ll find Alex Raskin Antiques located at 441 Bull Street.
Mr. Raskin is the proud owner of the Noble-Hardee Mansion has spent over twenty-five years filling this historic home with auctions treasures from around the world.
ciao! fabiana
This article originally appeared on Romantic
Homes online.
