Laissez les bons temps rouler in This Historic Highland Park Cottage
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This is the cutest historic Highland Park cottage I’ve seen, full stop. The front yard caught my eye first — no surprise, as landscape designer Robert Bellamy’s genius is at work here. More on that later!
Remember what I’ve said, over and over. When you can purchase a home that an architect, builder, or Realtor owns, get out the pen and sign the contract immediately. These professionals know good construction, great design, and how to remodel to make a home truly livable. That’s exactly what Compass founding partner and Realtor Adele Broughton did 25 years ago.
Broughton grew up in a 1910 home in Alabama, so her love of historic homes runs deep. This 1937 Highland Park cottage had barely hit the market when an agent pal called and said, “I’ve found your house.” Her friend was right.
“I fell in love with it immediately,” Broughton said. That was despite the work needed to bring it up to date, but that goes back to the insight professionals have when it comes to making a house a home.
“The kitchen entry was originally from the entry hall,” she said. “The kitchen had five metal cabinets and a south-facing archway with corner cabinets. The fridge wasn’t even in the kitchen, but I saw the potential.”
Broughton got to work on her 2,167-square-foot cottage, designed by architect Lucius E. O’Bannon, who also designed the original Lakewood library. She preserved the home’s unique historic character while updating it for modern needs — an excellent example of how historic homes remain livable today.
She is only the third owner of the home, and, as the Maren Morris song lyrics say, “The house don’t fall if the bones are good.” And who knows more about bones and has better taste than a Realtor who sees houses all day long every day?
Opening the front door immediately envelops visitors in rich colors and textures. Everyone gravitates to the dramatic dark teal library. “It’s my favorite room,” Broughton said. “Especially when I can have a fire at night, read, and listen to music.”
She chose honed Jura Beige limestone for the kitchen countertops and backsplash, a honed French limestone hearth, and finished the primary bath in statuary white and Ann Sacks basketweave marble. She considered every detail from the double-pane windows to the integrated sound system.
She used iconic Bevolo lanterns and had a custom gate designed for a backyard reminiscent of New Orleans. Broughton added custom shutters to the garage windows to enhance the Laissez les bons temps rouler sensibility. Bellamy designed intimate courtyards, tranquil fountains, and layered greenery to create uncommon privacy and serenity.
Located only minutes from Highland Park Village and Fairfax Park, and zoned to highly sought-after Bradfield Elementary, this one-of-a-kind residence offers rare privacy, timeless elegance, and an effortless connection to nature. Homes like this have become extremely rare in Highland Park, so grab your pen and go!
