HOME AND GARDEN
By
Terry Hendrix
Photos:
Jeffrey Jacobs
Pace
and Aileen Cooper, parents of six children, wanted the perfect home in the
perfect location. According to Pace, “We chose a site in East Memphis that is located
a block away from Baron Hirsch Synagogue, our spiritual home, and but two
blocks from the Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South, our
intellectual home.”
“Our concentration was on daring architecture – the interior design is clean and simple,” explains Pace. “The beauty is in the creative and modern architectural design.” The home was described by a writer of a well-known architectural magazine as “heart-stopping” and “palatial.”
The Haizlip Firm, PLLC was chosen to create the home and worked closely with Pace and Aileen to ensure their complete satisfaction. In addition, the American Institute of Architects awarded Haizlip an Award of Merit for the home’s striking, modern design and creative use of materials. “Going modern in Memphis turned a lot of heads, but we found the right architect, builder and designer to do it well,” Pace said.
Debbie Adrian of Adrian Carr & Caradine Design, Inc. assisted the Haizlip Firm with interior design on the project. Ms. Adrian has worked with Pace’s company, Cooper Hotels, on many hotel projects. Pace credits Aileen for her outstanding work in managing the interior project completion.
“We thought the house was huge, but we built it not knowing about the birth of our twin girls, now 5 1/2 years old (turning 6 on May 23), so we actually had to convert our planned guestroom into the girls' room,” said Pace.
The Coopers wanted to build a house ripe for entertainment. As Pace explained, “Our typical shabbos gathering occurs for lunch on Saturdays, and we typically have 25 or more guests. We also built it for the sheer purpose for us to entertain. In only eight years, we have hosted dozens of community events, Bar Mitzvah luncheons and several Sheva Brochos. The dining room table was designed to be expandable, normally seating 22, but expandable in five minutes to seat 44.”
The couple also wanted a house that their children would want to bring friends to visit rather than see them want to go elsewhere socially. It is a stellar place to grow up and have friends over to enjoy a huge basketball court, a wonderful pool and a magnificent playroom.
It is evident that Pace and Aileen now have what they set out to accomplish, the perfect home in the perfect location.
PHOTOS: Top to Bottom
Front of house: The first local use of Minnesota limestone. A large driveway and ample parking are perfect for entertaining.
Front of house at night: Expansive windows reveal the tower structure that centers the home. The line of sight extends through the front door to the rear courtyard.
Rear view of house with Sukkah in the center.
Angled view of foyer.
Living view across to foyer: Seating in living and dining rooms offers clear views across the entryway. The living room was designed to hold large gatherings comfortably.
Dining room: Table set for 22 Guests for entertaining at Bar Mitzvah luncheons, Sheva Brocha celebrations and community events. Table parts into two and becomes a U-shaped table seating 44 people.
