Historic Indian Hill home with pub, theater, pool hits market for $3 million

Nestled in the heart of Indian Hill is Spiritwood, a massive home built largely in the 1920s that's been renovated, added to, and loved for over 100 years.

Spiritwood is not its original name, however. Many know it as the "Carter Farm," which pays homage to Dr. Burr Noland Carter and Olga Ault Carter, the original owners. Dr. Carter was the assistant director of surgical services at General Hospital and an associate professor of surgery at the University of Cincinnati. During WWII, Carter served as a colonel in the Surgeon General of the Army, acting as a consulting surgeon. This was their primary residence where they raised their three children.

Dr. Carter commissioned Pennsylvania-based architect Richardson Brognard Okie to design and build the home as a gift for Olga. Okie was known for his colonial-revival designs and also did restorations, including of the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia.

The property was originally a gentleman's farm -- a farm meant for countryside recreation, such as polo and fox hunting, not a primary source of income -- on over 100 acres of land. The Carters had live-in servants who had their quarters and workrooms in a portion of the home.

It has two sections: the original late-1920s house and a later addition built seven decades later by a different owner. Despite the difference in age of the two sections of the sprawling mansion, it has a consistent aesthetic. This visual uniformity is key to Spiritwood feeling like one massive home instead of two buildings from radically different eras.

Spiritwood is now home to the Smiths, who diligently restored many areas of the house to its original 1920s look with modern amenities. According to Lorinn Smith, the roughly 12,500-square-foot house has a staggering 25 rooms in total, including six bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, on three acres of land.

"There are two basements," Lorinn shares. "The second basement is unfinished, but still has the old coal room from 100 years ago, as well as a cold war room and loads of storage."

You could spend hours exploring this historic estate that's currently on the market for $2,999,999. The house has several unique features, one of which is a wood-lined private pub that can be found off the Great Room in the newer half of the house. In the basement, you'll find a personal theater that seats nine people. A secret staircase connects the living room in the original section of the home to the primary bedroom, which features a massive walk-in shower. Lots of unexpected touches, too, from a hidden passageway to guest quarters in the loft above, a bejeweled "VIP" toilet seat in the mafia-movie-themed bathroom.

A gorgeous in-ground pool and stately pool house sit behind the main house. All situated in a park-like setting where you can watch wildlife as they come explore the waterfall pond. And no expense was spared in updating this historic gem to its current day grandeur, especially in the stunning kitchen.

"The kitchen was especially fun because we raised the ceiling, moved beams and completely renovated everything from floor to ceiling. For me, I love to cook and bake, so it accommodates that very well," Lorinn shares. "Between the 60 inch Wolf range and the 66 inch True refrigerator and freezer, along with the baking station and perfect amounts of storage, the kitchen is the best place to entertain."

You'll also find four beverage drawers, and next to that, a wine refrigerator, with dual climate storage. There's also a Butler’s pantry area, with easy accessibility into the dining room. "It's the grandest and most wonderful of homes, made to entertain," Lorinn adds. "It has been a tremendously easy home to love."

While Lorinn adores the home and has truly enjoyed updating it over the past four years, she says she and her husband want to live closer to family and their new grandchild.

For more information, reach out to listing agent Steven J. Hromadka at RE/MAX. Find the original listing here.