Fun wrapped in history in downtown Annapolis

By Liz Thompson Special to The Sun

February 25, 2001

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Every month, Colin Cohen goes downstairs to re-crank the support beams in the basement of his 17th-century home on Prince George Street in downtown historic Annapolis to keep the first floor on an even keel.

The floorboards on the first floor were sagging so much when Cohen and his wife bought the house 15 months ago that the basement support beams were necessary to secure the floors. And that's just one repair they've endured since moving in. "We call this house the 'money pit,' " Jen Cohen said with a smile. "It seems like there's always something to repair."

The hardwood floors have been resanded, the laundry room plumbing updated and the drainage sink replaced, but the fireplace still needs to be relined before they can use it again.

But ask the Cohens if they're sorry they bought the house, and they'll give you an emphatic "No."

"We knew from our home inspection that the house would need work," Mrs. Coen said, "but in retrospect, we should've had a contractor inspect the house, too, so we could at least have estimates on the repairs." The couple consid- ered buying a newer house in the Annapolis suburbs when they moved from Boston, but quickly decided that life in the suburbs was not for them.

"Everything looks the same in the suburbs," said Mrs. Cohen, who referred to the suburban housing choices as "McMansions." But on Prince George Street in Annapolis' historic district, no two houses are the same. And that was part of the appeal. So was the tiny garden, filled with azaleas, rhododendrons and a huge rose bush in the summer months.

And, although the garden is much smaller than the yards available in the suburbs, it is large enough for the Cohens' two young daughters to play in during warmer months.

The house is spacious, too, with three bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. The previous owners converted the attic into a master bedroom suite, an unusual feature in older homes.

City people

The Cohens refer to themselves as city people, having lived in London and Boston before a job opportunity brought them to Annapolis. They find that the size of Annapolis makes living downtown much easier than living in other cities.

"Annapolis is less noisy, less impersonal and more friendly than larger cities. It's more like living in a small town, but with the conveniences of city life," Mr. Cohen said. "It offers the best of both worlds."

"It's too expensive to buy a home in London or Boston. But here we could afford a beautiful house with a lot of charm, within walking distance to shopping, restaurants, parks and our daughter's pre-school."

More and more young families are moving into the downtown area, according to Miriam Stem, of O'Conor, Piper & Flynn ERA in Annapolis. "They want to be able to walk everywhere, and aren't really worried about parking problems or the heavy crowds during tourist season the way older buyers might be." And with the current real estate boom, prices in downtown Annapolis are up approximately 10 percent from a year ago, according to Stem.

"Prices have gotten really quite ridiculous," Stem said. There are 11 homes on the market, priced from $299,500 to $1,875,000. On average, these houses are smaller than similarly priced homes in neighboring suburbs, with little or no yards, and on-street parking. But there is no shortage of buyers.

Amber and Chris Cochran were able to purchase a small duplex in downtown Annapolis for less than $200,000 last year. Their house was renovated before they bought it and did not need as much work as the Cohens' home.

"It's a lifestyle buy," said Stem. And both the Cohens and the Cochrans agree.

The Cochran house is across from the Anne Arundel Medical Center, scheduled to relocate to the suburbs this year. The Cochrans expect their home to increase in value when the hospital moves out and the historic area's only new housing development moves in.

Madison Homes is the developer of Acton's Landing, a 130-unit residential development planned for downtown Annapolis. Acton's Landing will feature a mix of housing choices, including condominiums, single-family detached homes townhouses and village-style homes. While developers hoped to start construction in early 2002, neighborhood opposition has risen due to controversy surrounding Madison Homes.

A multimillion-dollar court judgment was levied against the developer for poor workmanship on a Rockville condominium project, and three other lawsuits have been filed for sub-standard construction.

Downtown Annapolis always has offered an appealing lifestyle. The entire downtown is a registered National Historic Landmark and is home to more than 60 18th- century structures. Situated less than 30 miles from Washington and Baltimore, Annapolis was an easy weekend getaway for residents of both cities. Main Street was a thriving market place during the early 1900s. A trolley car connected the nearby towns with city amenities, including shops, restaurants and a great nightlife.