The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Historic Hamden home
In 2017, after hopping a plane from San Francisco to tour this home, Cody Locke bought it and crossed his fingers. “[My wife] saw it for the first time on closing day—good thing that she agreed with me that it was the house for us,” he said.
Built in 1836 by William Atwater, according to a plaque on the garage, the home has a 1924 addition and is a quintessential New England colonial with historic charm and character. When Katherine Reed, listing agent for Press Cuozzo Realtors, got the call about listing it, she immediately knew the adored landmark. “Everyone knows this house,” she said. “I walked in and honestly my breath was taken away. It’s just so elegant, and has so many nice features.” The home has hardwood floors, crown molding and two gas fireplaces.
Turning an old-fashioned alarm on the door lets the Lockes know someone is there. Inside, to the left of a colonial staircase, the living room features a large fireplace and windows overlooking the yard and woods beyond. The bright sitting room offers a gas fireplace, builtin shelves and a festive gathering spot. “On Christmas morning, and also Easter morning, my daughter will get up and go to the sitting room. By the fireplace, there’ll be presents from Santa, from the Easter Bunny, from Grandma and Grandpa, and so forth,” Locke said. “We’ll be gathering around and she’ll open presents.”
To the right of the stairs is the door to the basement, which the Lockes use as an art studio and to store wine. Beyond that, is the mud room and kitchen with an old chimney, high end stainless appliances, a center island, and a door to the deck where—weather Address: 680 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden
Price: $449,000
Features: This stately colonial blends modern day upgrades and classic Spring Glen charm. This four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home is an architectural gem. The spacious formal living room with a gas burning fireplace leads to a wonderful den/family room featuring a second fireplace. The formal dining room is off the updated kitchen overlooking the lovely back yard and koi pond. The first floor offers a convenient laundry room with a half bath, and a potential in-law suite in a main level bedroom and attached full bathroom. The upper level has the perfect primary suite with a full bathroom, a lovely walk-in closet, and an electric fireplace. Two additional bedrooms plus another full bathroom complete the spacious second floor living space. The home features stunning curb appeal with gorgeous garage doors, while the backyard has a lovely deck on a large half acre lot with an invisible fence. The interior is freshly painted interior and offers a new washer and dryer, and so much more. The home is near Yale/New Haven, a golf course, and highways.
Schools: Spring Glen Elementary School, Hamden High School permitting—guests congregate during parties. On the Fourth of July, they gather there to watch fireworks from Hamden and catch glimpses of Wallingford’s display. There’s a bright formal dining room that opens to the deck and a nook where the Lockes make coffee and store treats.
Overlooking the yard and woods, the sunroom offers a pleasant spot to sleep or peek at wildlife, including bald eagles, hawks, herons, fox, and deer. “If you know what time the deer come by, and they do come by every day, you can sit here and have your coffee, eat your cookies, and watch the deer,” Locke said. A first-floor bedroom, accessible from the side door, has a private full bathroom and could be an in-law suite. “I don’t know if anybody wants to open an Airbnb, but that’s the place to do it,” Locke suggested.
At the top of the stairs, the Lockes left “charming old wallpaper” that was up when they moved in because “it’s thick and has character,” Locke said. The hallway has built-in shelves and cabinets and a window seat to read a book or fall asleep. The spacious primary suite has a sitting area with an electric fireplace, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with a shower.
Locke uses a converted porch, where he can check out the view of the koi pond or spy more wildlife, as his office. Of the two additional second floor bedrooms, one offers a private bathroom. Despite being within walking distance to Whitney Avenue and Bassett Park and accessible for delivery from New Haven’s world class eateries, Locke, who is returning to California, said the home is a private oasis.
“I’ll miss the serenity of it, the peacefulness of it. Being able to go out on the back deck and watch the birds and the fish and the fox, which are not harmful,” he said. “I thought we were going to stay here. I really did.”