Once the Atlanta Ballet’s first studio, this iconic estate in the heart of Midtown exudes charm and tranquility.

The spacious breakfast nook off the family room and kitchen

The exterior of the home, which has remained virtually the same since its construction

Owning a house with a story is a special experience in which the home’s history and its future can exist at the same time. This particular estate in the Midtown neighborhood of Ansley Park was once the personal home and studio of Dorothy Alexander, Atlanta Ballet’s founder and a pioneer of the regional ballet movement. Built in 1916 and purchased by Alexander in 1925, the home served as Alexander’s sanctuary for her life, her movement and the study of dance. To quote the maven herself, “I was so pleased when we bought [this home] and I have never felt any differently. I don’t think whenever a spring comes that my spirits don’t soar when I see the tender green leaves that drape themselves on the trees.”

The spa-like primary bathroom with his-and-her sinks and oversize tub.

Having since undergone several renovations to elevate the home to modern standards, the teams have managed to keep its historic spirit over the years. Most recently, a recognizable team comprised of architect Bill Litchfield, contractor Mike Hammersmith and landscape architect John Howard of Howard Design Studio brought the home to its current glory, with over 7,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space. Inside the six-bedroom, 5 ½-bathroom home, soaring ceilings in nickel gap wood paneling and skylights allow the rooms to be bathed in rich sunlight. The main level features a spacious yet cozy family room that opens onto a chef-ready kitchen and breakfast room. Off the living spaces is a lovely screened-in porch and outdoor wood-burning fireplace.

The home is located atop one of Ansley Park’s highest vistas, and the screened-in porch is the perfect place to experience views of nature

The primary suite on the main floor provides an almost vacation-like escape with a private sitting room and sleeping porch as well as a luxurious marbled en suite bathroom and double walk-in closets. It is on the third level where you get to see the breathtaking views of Midtown. Each of the three bedrooms offers walk-in closets and en suite baths. The newly finished terrace level features the remaining two bedrooms, a full bath, a kitchen and a laundry room—perfect for your houseguests to have their own oasis. Finally, and perhaps the most historic of spaces, is the bonus space on the terrace level, which was once home to the Atlanta Ballet’s first dance studio. Outside, overlooking the trees that Alexander loved to watch bloom and flourish in the spring, a large flat, private yard awaits.

Just as with the screened-in porch, the primary suite’s sitting room also features a lovely wood-burning fireplace.

As part of Atlanta history, this home places you as a new owner in the timeline of that history, in a beautiful home that still maintains its story while perfectly upgraded for everyday life. $3,995,000, 9 Ansley Drive, Erin Yabroudy & Associates, 404.504.7955, harrynorman.com; erinyabroudy.com