Couple restores 10,000-square-foot 1860s home into 9-bed, 6-bath space. Take a peek
The home at 310 Broadway in downtown Madison used to be known as Broadway Livery. In 1860, it was one of the main stables in the small, Indiana town. Today, the property is the home of Ron and Suzie Hollinger, who are opening their abode to the public on this year’s Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes.
Moving to Madison
The Hollingers had been living in Indianapolis. But with most of their family in Kentucky, they started to look for a place a little bit closer to their loved ones — and they discovered a former livery stable in Madison.
“We wanted income potential,” Suzie told The Courier Journal. “This was big enough — our kids told us not to buy it.”
She explained that at the time, the building was basically just four walls and a roof, and their children thought it would be too much of an undertaking for a couple in their seventies. But the kids’ doubts gave them just the push they needed. The Hollingers purchased the property in 2018 and spent the next five years transforming it into the nine-bedroom, six-bathroom space that it is today.
Split into what is essentially three apartments, the building now includes the Hollinger’s 3,000-square-foot apartment; two smaller apartments that are used as rentals; and a 2,600-square-foot garage that has been transformed into something of an indoor campground, complete with a kitchen, dining area, living room, and a 1950s vintage camper.
Honoring its history
Though the original barn wood had been stripped out when the Hollingers purchased the property, Suzie searched for replacement wood to recreate the stable feel of the building’s original life.
“I worked hard to find age-appropriate wood,” she said. “You’ll notice that wherever I could, I got hand-hewn wood, which is 150 years old. It was all cut with an ax.”
Most of the furnishings and decor are black, white, or brown. This was an intentional design choice meant to complement the space’s original hues.
“I kept all the colors neutral … so that it let the building itself stand out,” Suzie explained. “I worked with the colors the building (offered), and blended those.”
Her goal of utilizing neutral hues and earth tones is even evident in the granite kitchen countertops and island, which came from a mountain in Brazil via Louisville Granite and Stone.
“We chose it because it blended the colors of the history of the building,” Suzie said, “but (also) because it’s a million years of earth sediment. It’s copper, coal, and marble that at one time was all liquid, and sat for a million years to become stone.”
She added that the island top is a single, solid piece, and weighs 800 pounds. “It’s kind of like an oil painting that God made that we never get to see. … If it stayed in a mountain, nobody would have ever seen it.”
Special Spaces
Suzie took her grandchildren and potential future tenants into consideration when building the new abode. At the end of one hall, there’s a shelf filled with books, toys, and small trinkets. But the furniture piece is more than just a space to store things — it also serves as a secret door into a hidden room that’s outfitted with cozy chairs and a writing desk.
“The kids love (the) secret room,” Suzie exclaimed. “It’s full of books and a place to write.”
To the right of the secret room is a laundry space that has been strategically placed for noise control from one area of the house to the next.
“I designed it so there are sound barriers,” Suzie explained. “So, if (someone’s on one side) watching a soccer game and screaming, people (on the other side) can’t hear them.”
There is also a space crafted specifically for silence, which Suzie dubbed the “quiet room,” as it’s soundproof.
“If somebody talks in their sleep, or wants to watch TV through the night, or snores,” she said, “they can come in here.”
Though guests have the option of visiting the quiet room whenever they’re in need of complete silence, they can take a seat anywhere in the home to feel at peace. Suzie has taken special care to ensure each space emulates one of her favorite sayings, which is on a plaque under the staircase. It reads, “At home find comfort and rest.”
“That’s the whole mood of the building,” Suzie said. “I just wanted everything to be serene and calming.”
The Hollinger home is one of 11 properties on this year’s Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes.
Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.
Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes
WHAT: The 2023 Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes is a self-guided tour through Madison, Indiana properties that are decorated for the Christmas season.
WHEN: Nov. 24-25 & Dec. 1-2; 5-9 p.m. Fridays and 3-9 p.m. Saturdays
WHERE: Madison, Indiana. Ticket headquarters are at the Visitors Center, 601 West First St.
TICKETS: General admission tickets are $35; tickets for children ages 5-12 are $5. Fees apply for online and credit card purchases. Tickets can be purchased online, at the Visitors Center, 601 West First St. during tour hours.
TRANSPORTATION: Street parking is available, or private transportation to downtown locations can be made in advance via Broomtail Wagon & Carriage Rides, 812-756-4168.
MORE INFORMATION: For more information about the Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes, visit nightsbeforechristmas.com, call Visit Madison at 812-265-2956 or 800-559-2956, or email info@visitmadison.org.
nuts & bolts
Owners: Ron and Suzie Hollinger. Ron is a limo driver and Suzie is a property manager. Also in the home is the couple's granddog, Crash.
Home: This is a 9-bed, 6-bath, 10,000-square-foot, home in downtown Madison, Indiana that was formerly a livery stable. It was built in 1860.
Distinctive elements: Three separate apartments; office with Naval ship wheel and masthead lantern; barnwood and beams throughout; small, original windows from horse stalls; hidden room behind a bookcase; antique twin beds; antique goat cart; granite countertops from Brazil; bathroom with fireplace and soaking tub; massage shower; heated toilet seat; soundproof room; garage with 1950s camper.
Applause! Applause! Contractors: Childress Restoration, Robby Renecker, Smedley HVAC and Electric, Leo Toral, EJ Plumbing, Kidd Electric, Greg Higdon HVAC, Top Dog Construction, Sherwin Williams, Lowes Pro Desk; Helpers: Becky Boldery, Jake Webster, Sam and Glenda Marston, Robby Renecker, Paul Redd, Arlene and Dan Henderson, Kashton and Brecken Webster, Randy and Kendra Webster, Kara and SeRen Hollinger; Friendship Bank and Home Bank for loans.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Couple restores 10,000-square foot 1860s mansion in Madison, Indiana
