posted July 13, 2008
A former Atlanta couple who moved to Chattanooga and have restored a string of historic homes say their crowning achievement is one recently completed on Lookout Mountain.
Lindsay and Kim Lemmon spent the last six months working on an historic brick home across from the Incline Railway upper station.
Mr. Lemmon said, "It's one of the greatest houses I've ever worked on. It's the perfect size - not too big and not too small."
He noted that the two-story house with a full basement is the first brick home he has restored.
The house was owned by the Zahnd family for 70 years and was bought last October from Chris Zahnd.
Mr. Lemmon said the house sits where the stately Lookout Inn once was situated. The 365-room hotel burned to the ground on Nov. 17, 1908.
He said he was told that the owner of the house that went up in place of the hotel rented out eight bedrooms on the main two floors and four in the basement.
The house was later turned into a duplex.
During demolition, Mr. Lemmon discovered the original floor plan and restored it to how it first appeared - with some modifications. The 12-foot ceilings were retained.
The heart pine floors were restored and the staircase rebuilt.
Mrs. Lemmon helped refurbish the mantels that were intact for the six fireplaces. She also chose new lighting fixtures except for one interesting piece that remained.
New additions include energy efficient insulated windows, a new roof, new wiring, plumbing, HVAC and high-end finishes.
The master suite, which has a valley view, is over 700 square feet and features a sitting room complete with a fireplace. There is also an upscale bath and walk-in closet.
Mrs. Lemmon designed the gourmet custom kitchen, which features Calcutta marble counter tops and a breakfast room with fireplace.
The restored home has five bedrooms and three bathrooms.
The Lemmons worked as contractors restoring old homes for others in Atlanta. When they moved to Chattanooga in 2001, they began buying and selling the homes they fixed up.
They have since completed 15 restorations in Highland Park, three in the MLK District and one on Missionary Ridge.
They currently live in a 4,000-square-foot historic home at 930 E. 10th St. It features four bedrooms and two and a half baths. There are spacious rooms, an eat-in kitchen, two staircases and an extra lot.
That home is for sale for $389,000.
The Lemmons also have four condos on East Eighth Street for sale. They are 1,500 square feet and include two bedrooms and one bath. They are $172,000.
Mr. Lemmon said the Lookout Mountain home was appraised at $951,000 and is offered at $925,000.
The Lemmons may be reached at Southern Historical Homes at 653-3186 or 653-3184.
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