Welcome to Historic Willow House — a three-bedroom home in a lovingly restored 1915 building in Ridgedale, one of Chattanooga’s most historic neighborhoods. Step in through the grand foyer, settle onto the porch, and take in the view: downtown is just 10 minutes away, and the front porch faces Lookout Mountain.
Here’s our why: we’re an architect and a landscape architect, and we could have bought in a tidy suburb. We chose Ridgedale instead — because we love old, walkable, urban neighborhoods, and we’d rather help one revitalize than watch from a cookie-cutter cul-de-sac. We bought this 1915 house, brought it back to life room by room, and lived in it ourselves for three and a half years before opening it to guests. The result is a home crafted by two people who care about how spaces feel, in a neighborhood we’re genuinely invested in.
We think that comes through in the details. We hope you feel it.
One honest note before you book: this is a 110-year-old house, and part of its charm is that it hasn’t been flattened into a generic rental. The floors creak. Some windows are original, and a few have fogged or cracked glass. Heating and cooling run through a shared central system — comfortable, but not hotel-precise. Because there are two apartments in the house, we control the thermostat remotely; message us anytime and we’ll adjust it, we respond quickly. If you love character, you’ll feel right at home. If you need everything perfectly uniform, this may not be your place.
MAIN LEVEL
- Grand foyer entry — high ceilings, original hardwood floors, and craftsmanship that simply isn’t built anymore
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Living room with large sofa and flat screen TV
- Generous dining area
- Half-bath beneath the stairs
UPSTAIRS — THREE BEDROOMS, SLEEPING EIGHT
- Primary bedroom: king bed and ensuite bathroom
- Second bedroom: king bed and a walk-in closet that doubles as a workspace
- Third bedroom: two twin beds with pullout trundles — sleeps up to four
- Kids nook at the end of the hall: teepee, books, games, and a soft LED light
- Noise-cancelling curtains in all bedrooms
- All bathrooms stocked with complimentary Public Goods toiletries
OUTSIDE
- Front porch facing Lookout Mountain
- The sunset skies here are something to plan your evening around — we logged many evenings on this porch over dinner, watching the sun set and summer storms roll in, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did
TRAVELING WITH PETS
- Well-behaved dogs are welcome, no pet fee
- No fenced yard, but two small parks are within a few blocks
- Dogs left alone in the unit must be crated
- Pet blankets are provided — please use them on the furniture
BOOKING THE WHOLE HOUSE
- The Willow Suite, our two-bedroom companion apartment at the rear of this same house, can be booked alongside this listing
- Combined: five bedrooms, 3.5 baths, two fully equipped kitchens, completely separate entrances and living spaces
- Ideal for multigenerational travel, two families, or groups who want proximity without sharing a living room
- Book The Willow Suite:
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
You’re in Ridgedale, bordering the trendier Highland Park neighborhood, about 3 miles east of downtown — walkable, tree-lined, and close to more than the tourist map suggests.
Chattanooga Attractions
Tennessee Aquarium (downtown) — 3 mi, 10 min drive
Downtown Chattanooga — 3 mi, 10 min drive
Chattanooga Choo Choo — 2.5 mi, 7 min drive
Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park — 1.2 mi, 4 min drive
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway — 5.3 mi, 15 min drive
Ruby Falls — 6.5 mi, 16 min drive
Rock City — 8.3 mi, 20 min drive
Parks & Playgrounds
Highland Park Commons soccer fields and playground — directly across the intersection
BlueCross Healthy Places Playground — 0.5 mi, 10 min walk
Sports & Tournaments
Warner Park fields — 1.2 mi, 4 min drive
Camp Jordan Park (softball/soccer tournaments, East Ridge) — 7 mi, 14 min drive
Universities & Schools
McCallie School — 0.7 mi, 3 min drive (17 min walk)
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) — 1.7 mi, 5 min drive
Girls Preparatory School (GPS) — 3.8 mi, 10 min drive
Baylor School — 6.3 mi, 14 min drive
Restaurants, Cafes & Grocery
Livingstone Cafe — a stone’s throw away, walkable in 90 seconds
Together Cafe — 0.3 mi, 7 min walk
Gaining Ground Grocery (a non-profit that sources locally) — 0.2 mi, 2 min walk
Church
Redemption to the Nations Church — directly across the intersection
Hospitals
Parkridge Medical Center — 0.5 mi, 2 min drive
Memorial Hospital — 1.4 mi, 4 min drive
Erlanger — 2 mi, 7 min drive
GOOD TO KNOW
- No laundry access for standard stays; ask about longer visits
- No smoking, house parties, or loud gatherings on the property
- Minimum booking age is 25
- Security camera and motion light overlook the rear parking area
- Properly zoned and permitted by the City of Chattanooga as a Short-Term Rental
GUEST ACCESS
You’ll enter through the vestibule at the top of the ramp along the side of the house. A keypad lock secures the door. Your unique code will be sent before arrival.
INTERACTION WITH GUESTS
We live just a few blocks away and love meeting our guests. As a former Rotary Exchange Student, I’ve long believed that travel is one of the best ways to build connection and goodwill between people, and hosting is our small contribution to that.
Whether you have a question about the house, need a local recommendation, or just want to say hello — don’t hesitate to reach out.
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE
Ridgedale is a historic neighborhood in transition. It has genuine character and a strong sense of community, but guests looking for a polished or upscale streetscape may find it doesn’t quite match that expectation. We love its authenticity, and we want you to arrive with an accurate picture of the area. The house sits on a main arterial road — some street noise is noticeable, particularly at night; the noise-cancelling curtains in the bedrooms help.
The house has two apartments with separate entrances. You will not share interior space with other guests. Please be mindful of noise — the other unit may be occupied, and pets are welcome on both sides, so you may have neighbors of the four-legged variety as well.
Two off-street parking spaces are available via the alley behind the house. Additional street parking is available along Chamberlain Avenue around the corner.
We live nearby and are attentive hosts who take noise complaints seriously.
We hope you love it as much as we do.
Kurt & Melissa