The stunning Savannah mansion where famed poet Conrad Aiken witnessed his parents’ gruesome murder-suicide has hit the market for $4.9 million.
Built in the 19th century, the five-bedroom brick home was where Aiken’s father shot and killed his mother before turning the gun on himself in 1901.
The Georgia mansion has now received an expensive facelift and is expected to sell for more than $3 million more than it was purchased for just five years ago.
Not only will the new owners enjoy plenty of luxurious amenities in a classically designed home, they will also be in the home of one of the most renowned writers of the 20th century.
The Savannah mansion of famed poet Conrad Aiken has hit the market for $4.9 million
The home received an expensive facelift to get it ready for the market
The house could sell for more than $3 million more than it bought five years ago
Aiken lived in the house for two years until he witnessed his parents’ gruesome murder-suicide
The famous poet Conrad Aiken wrote about his brief two-year stay in the house as a child
Aiken lived in the house from 1899 to 1901, when he was only 11 years old when he witnessed the loss of both his parents in the mansion.
The poet who won the Pulitzer Prize would use the tragedy as his inspiration, leading the house to receive a state historical marker in the 1980s.
Local businessman Josh Keller, who co-owns the house with his wife Kelly Keller, told the Wall Street Journal that renovating the house will cost about $2.5 million.
However, after snapping it up for just $1.15 million in 2018, the Kellers could soon land a lucrative payday.
Writing about the murder-suicide in his autobiography, Aiken described the event as “after the devastating early-morning quarrel, came the half-suppressed scream, and the sound of his father’s voice counting three, and the two loud pistol shots and he walked on his toes. to the dark room, where the two bodies lay motionless and apart, and when he found them dead, he found himself possessing them forever.’
Aiken was only 11 years old when he witnessed the loss of both his parents in the home
The current owners have spent more than $2.5 million renovating the historic mansion
The property received a historic marker from the State of Georgia in the 1980s
The Kellers said that despite feeling that the historic mansion was in need of a facelift, they worked to maintain its classic look.
This was particularly reflected in the facade, which was restored to the old masonry during the renovation.
Inside, the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems were all replaced, leaving room to install an elevator as well.
Further interior restorations include pine floors, medallions, cornices and new marble fireplaces.
“We really tried to respect all the original architectural details and bring them back to what they were,” says Josh Keller.
Several pristine bathrooms, including a private suite, complete the beautiful home
One of the luxury amenities installed in the mansion is an elevator
New marble fireplaces and pine wood floors were also added during the renovation
While much of the house has remained in its original design, the Kellers also added an extension to the rear of the house.
The expansion added about 2,000 square feet to the property, bringing the square footage to about 6,000, according to WSJ.
The new part at the back of the house includes the main kitchen, two bedrooms, the first suite and a second kitchen at garden level.
“You have these two worlds in this house,” Josh said, noticing the contrast of the addition to the century-old house.
An outdoor terrace leading to the garden completes the outdoor space.
After hitting the market for $5.9 million, the home will be one of the most expensive for sale in the city, according to realtor Staci Donegan of Seabolt Real Estate.
Donegan added that despite the home’s gruesome history, it’s a well-known story around town, and she didn’t expect it to deter a potential buyer.
“People here like a house with a story,” she said. “I showed the house to some friends outside the market, and none of them were impressed with the story, because everyone knows it.”