Two historic Atlanta mansions up for sale

Home and Garden

Two homes with deep ties to metro Atlanta's civic evolution, and each other, are looking for buyers. Included are Windcrofte, the Buckhead home of businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Guy Millner, and the Midtown home of pivotal Atlanta architect Henri Jova, who designed Colony Square and the Carter Center among many Atlanta landmarks.

Windcrofte and the home owned by renowned Atlanta architect Henri Jova share a thread of Atlanta history and are both up for sale. This is Windcrofte, the Buckhead home of businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Guy Millner. It's available because Millner and wife Ginny are ready to downsize.

The Millners frequently opened the famous home for a wide variety of charity events, such as the Atlanta Symphony's annual Designer Showhouse in 1989. Windcrofte was the home of Coca-Cola CEO and philanthropist Robert Woodruff from 1945 until his death in 1985. Realtors Wes Vawter and Betsy Akers of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty are handling the $13.9 million listing.

The Millner's pool and pool house were designed by architect Henri Jova of Jova Daniels Busby, one of Atlanta's premier design firms. (Photos of his house come later in this gallery.) The Millners have hosted wedding receptions and spent hours with children and grandchildren at the pool, which is set back on the property.

It took the Millners and Jova more than a year to decide where to build the pool house on the seven-acre estate. They dediced to give it a private space of its own on the back of the property.

The Millners made every effort to keep the fundamental structure of the house the same. They focused their improvements on preservations and adding this pool area, which shows the influence of Portuguese architecture.

Inside Windcrofte, the dining room exudes grandeur. A painting of Ginny Millner as a youth in Mexico graces the far wall.

"We've been good caretakers and represented some charitable activities that reflected Robert Woodruff's role as a benefactor," Guy Millner said.

A dizzying view from the top of the spiral staircase looking down to the entry of the home.

The railing on the spiral staircase is made of painted iron that looks like rope.

The living room, as seen from the study. The home's architectural details are stunning.

A mirror in the Millner's master bedroom.

The intricate molding shows off the home's classical Regency design. This is a doorway in the main living room that leads to the study.

A circular glass window, which Ginny Millner uncovered in the process of turning a closet into a bathroom in the master bedroom, is surrounded by mirrors above the bathtub.

The second house in this story is the Midtown home owned by architect Jova.

Renovations over the years created numerous rooms with high ceilings and plenty of elongated windows to let in light. Jova is best known for his design of Colony Square and the Carter Center among many Atlanta landmarks.

The view from the living room. The Mentelle Avenue home first appealed to the architect because it was considered cheap at the time, he said. Over the years, he improved the home and made great efforts to instill neighborhood pride. It worked.

As Jova's fortunes improved, his home grew into an L-shaped complex grouped around a gated courtyard. The most recent renovation, completed by Jova and his partner of more than 30 years, David Rinehart, was designed to perfect the home's utility and flexability. Jova calls it "a display house."

Jova's house is full of interesting angles and views to the outside, which can be found in nearly every room. The architect sees the home as a display house, perfect for an art collector.

The house is listed with realtor Debra Johnston of Beacham & Company for $1.9 million. Jova now lives in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The view inside the studio where Jova worked.

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Windcrofte and the home owned by renowned Atlanta architect Henri Jova share a thread of Atlanta history and are both up for sale. This is Windcrofte, the Buckhead home of businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Guy Millner. It's available because Millner and wife Ginny are ready to downsize.

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