History and Elegance in Madison

Discover the perfect blend of historic charm and contemporary sophistication in this remarkable 1905 Greek Revival estate on five private acres in the heart of Madison Georgia. Behind its stately façade, this 5,131-square-foot home has been fully updated with elegant, modern interiors designed for today’s lifestyle.
Inside, soaring ceilings and heart pine floors meet clean lines, custom lighting, and designer finishes. The home offers four spacious bedrooms, including a luxurious owner’s suite, three full baths, and one half bath. The modern chef’s kitchen features high-end appliances and opens to stylish living and dining spaces ideal for entertaining.
Step outside to enjoy manicured grounds framed by historic rock walls, an inviting saltwater pool, and a three-car garage with a private one-bedroom guest or office space.
Set on Madison’s prestigious East Avenue, this extraordinary property combines Southern heritage with contemporary elegance—a rare find in one of Georgia’s most charming and historic places. Madison was recently added (again) to Southern livings Prettiest Towns in Georgia list, and is featured in Time Magazines Worlds Greatest Places list as well. It offers an award winning school system and is within an hours drive of Atlanta, and the Atlanta International Airport, 30 minutes from the University of Georgia in Athens and 20 minutes to the Stanton Springs Rivian Assembly plant which is now under contruction.

The history of this estate is a story of Southern elegance, French heritage, and a continuous legacy of stewardship in the historic town of Madison, Georgia.

The estate, also known as "Madison Oaks at Poullain Heights," was established by the Poullain family, who commissioned the construction of the main house around 1905. The family hired the prominent Atlanta architectural firm Denny and Wachendorff to design their residence in the grand Neoclassical Greek Revival style.
This architectural choice resulted in a mansion of enduring beauty, characterized by towering white Ionic columns that frame the front view, original pine floors and intricate woodwork throughout the interior, and classic features like original glass-paneled pocket doors, formal gardens, and a historic pecan grove on the property.

The Poullain family were prominent citizens of Madison, a town uniquely spared from destruction during General Sherman's Civil War "March to the Sea". Their heritage traces back to Antoine Poullain, a significant historical figure who served as part of the Marquis de Lafayette's medical team during the American Revolutionary War. This connection weaves the home's history into the broader fabric of early American history and French American relations. The house remained in the Poullain family until the 1980 and it held a traditional Friday night formal dinner at which only French was spoken.

After the Poullain family, the estate passed through several owners, including Baron and Baroness Werner von Hanstein in the 1980s and Ed and Louise Hannah in the early 1990s. Today, as a private home, the estate blends its rich history with more contemporary designer styled interior while retaining its original historic charm. It stands as a testament to the preservation efforts that have made Madison one of Georgia's most beautiful and historically significant towns, often featured on local holiday home tours and by historical preservation groups.