City Life-Auburn Style
By Beth Snipes
The city of Auburn has so many identities, it proves you can have it all. Its rolling countryside dotted with shiny new subdivisions, established neighborhoods with graceful maturity and apartments of all styles and age fits almost any lifestyles like a glove. If city life is more your style, though, there’s good news, you can have that, too.
City living in the ‘burbs melds the best of everything and tosses the rest. The beauty is top-notch restaurants and shops are steps away and you get to them without zigzagging through crowds, dodging speeding taxies or hunting a parking spot. Most things are at your finger tips and nothing’s better on “game day.” When thousands of Tiger fans funnel into town each fall, finding an empty parking place is like winning a bet but living in town is like winning the lottery. A quick walk down the street gets you to the gate and home again in an Auburn minute.
Actually, it’s just a little longer. Real estate developer, Philip Minor, timed his stroll from the front door of Magnolia Plaza Condos to Jordan-Hare Stadium and, without hurrying, it took twelve minutes flat. Minor, a partner in Porter Properties of Auburn,knows the value an in-town living space and reserved parking on the city’s busiest days. When he and partners Howard Porter and Matt Rice decided to invest in the Magnolia Plaza building, they knew that “game day” people would be excited to own a second home base for football weekends. They got a pleasant surprises during their first open house. They didn’t expect how many long-time Auburn residents loved the idea of waving their chickweed goodbye and living the city life. Since the building reopened its doors in 2005, it has attracted a nice mix of full time and game day residents.
The Magnolia Plaza building is five stories, the tallest the city allows, so you’d think it would be hard to miss. It fits in so well, though, that the facade’s elegant gas lamp and magnolia tree near the door are the only clues that something special is going on. You almost have to know it’s there to know it’s there. Once you go inside, you can always find your way back.
The newly renovated lobby is more than an entry way. The two-story space honors the university’s football history with large framed photographs of games, coaches and players. One stand out photo is a nightscape of Jordan-Hare Stadium. The 1981 photo, shot by Auburn photographer Sam Oliver, captured the first lighting of the brand new stadium. It’s a one of a kind so, if you are a fan, it’s a must see.
The first two floors are dedicated to businesses and the building’s common area but if you want to go any further, you need to be an owner or have an invitation, the top three floors are key protected for security. If you have a chance to see the model, take it. In their ten-month restoration project, Porter Properties completely gutted the forty two plain apartments and turned them into high-end condos with wow. The one and two bedroom spaces are dressed in all their nery. Hardwood floors, granite counter tops, stainless appliance and plantation shutters are part of the deal so there’s elegance before you ever move in. The view of town adds an urban backdrop you don’t expect in a city this size.
And it all comes with atmosphere. “You’re close to all the game day activities.” explains Minor. “It’s right outside your door. You can stick around and roll Toomer’s Corner. It’s the pre and post game activities that make it fun.” The twelve minute walk makes it even better.
For more info, please contact Philip Minor of Porter Properties. 472 N. Dean Road Suite 200 P.O Box 28 Auburn, Alabama 334-826-8682
Beth Snipes is a freelance writer living in Auburn. She can be reached at bsnipesatl@mindspring.com.
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