Condos, bungalows and more
While downtown Little Rock is home to countless businesses, entertainment venues, restaurants, art galleries, museums and other attractions, the casual observer might miss the true heart of the community — the full-time residents.
They come in all ages and backgrounds, from young entrepreneurs and established professionals to artists and artisans, families, retirees and a host of others.
The vibrant neighborhoods of downtown Little Rock offer an eclectic mix of living options to suit almost any age, lifestyle or financial status.
Longing for a sophisticated urban setting with easy access to entertainment? Check out the River Market District, the Main Street Creative Corridor or SoMa. Always dreamed of living in a century-old home, surrounded by history? The Central High, Governor’s Mansion and MacArthur Park historic districts offer a wealth of possibilities. Want to find a sense of community and lend a hand to the revitalization of the area? Take a look at the Pettaway neighborhood, Hanger Hill, the East Village or other hidden gems.
The residence options are as varied as the denizens of downtown, and those hoping to call the area home can choose to buy or lease.
Sophisticated mixed-use high-rises, such as the 300 Third, the First Security Building and others, offer upscale condominium homes with easy access to restaurants, night life and more, while options such as Rainwater Flats provide historic flair. Speaking of history, many buildings, such as forgotten warehouses, schools and single-family homes, have been converted into appealing lofts, apartments and condos.
There is also a great selection of newer apartments and condos, such as MacArthur Commons, poised between the River Market and MacArthur Park historic districts. One of the newest residential options in SoMa is 1424SoMa, a mixed-use development that includes restaurant, retail and office space, as well as studio and loft apartments (both long- and short-term rentals are available).
Architect Kate East has lived and worked downtown for 11 years. She; her husband, Chris; and their 7-year-old son, Colin, reside in the River Market Tower, a sleek high-rise that offers stunning views of the Arkansas River and surrounding areas. Kate said she enjoys the 20-minute walk to her office in the SoMa district.
“We like the security of the building, the lack of yard work, the views and the proximity to family; my mom, Colin’s grandmother, lives on the sixth floor,” Kate said, adding that she loves the building’s sense of community. “I can walk to the sculpture garden and sit calmly watching the river, head to a variety of amazing restaurants for a meal, visit the library to check out books for my son, grab something at the hardware store and even go bowling.”
Meanwhile, in the Governor’s Mansion Historic District, Jordan and Starre Haas, along with their daughters, Ella, 9, and Scarlet, 7, enjoy living in the historic Mesler house. The Craftsman home was built in 1903 and remodeled by Charles L. Thompson, a wellknown architect of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Both Jordan and Starre work downtown, and they decided to purchase a home in the area because of the strong sense of community.
“Having been raised in Little Rock and now raising a family of our own, we knew that our community would be a core value and distinguisher for our family home, and that where we lived had to represent the importance of community advocacy, building and values,” Starre said. “The downtown
“We have lived in almost every area of Little Rock, and it wasn’t until we moved downtown that we actually came to know our neighborhood.” — Starre Haas, resident of the Governor’s Mansion Historic District
Little Rock community serves that purpose at every level.”
The Haas family enjoys the diversity of the area, along with the ability to eat, shop and play in the many areas of downtown.
“We have lived in almost every area of Little Rock, and it wasn’t until we moved downtown that we actually came to know our neighborhood,” Starre said. “We could not believe the strength that we found within ourselves and as parents, knowing that we lived in a community [of people who] supported the same values [as us] and were there for us.”
As previously noted, downtown Little Rock offers countless older properties. Many have been lovingly restored, while others are in need of rehabilitation.
Longtime downtown resident and Realtor Tony Curtis has worked for years to help bring new life to areas of the city that were long neglected. While he said the rewards of buying and successfully renovating a fixer-upper are great, the investment — both financial and emotional — is equally great.
Curtis, who is passionate about the downtown community, wants to ensure that new residents are prepared to make an informed decision about whether to buy an older home or something a bit more modern. He advises prospective buyers to carefully evaluate their options before making an offer.
“Older houses, while the dream of many, including myself, will require a constant influx of money to be maintained. This is beyond the normal electric, HVAC and foundation items for a rehab. You must walk the house and examine it with a keen eye,” Curtis explained.
“There is a huge difference between updating, renovating and restoration,” he said, adding that it is vital that buyers recognize these differences to avoid biting off more than they can chew.
However, he said he is a firm advocate for the restoration of these older structures for a new generation and hates to see these pieces of history destroyed and replaced with “McMansions.”
“With an older home, you pay the mortgage and upkeep, but you are simply the gatekeeper of the past and, for a brief moment, the occupant of the building,” he said. “Honor the house, neighborhood and history by adding positives to it.”