When River City visitors seek a landing place after a day of exploration, respite after a concert, or even a staycation, the area offers unique options. These historic homes, cozy nooks, and modern commercial spaces are ready for you to hang your hat.
Semper Fulgens & the Nest
Kristen Burckhartt, who owns Holt Travel Service, and her husband, Matthew O’Neill, an opera singer and guitarist, host two Airbnbs on their Sunset Avenue property.
“We didn’t know what this house was until February 2015 when Matthew started singing opera (in the carriage house) and realized the acoustics were amazing. We realized we had to do something with these buildings,” Kristen says.
Both the second floor of their 1912 home — called Semper Fulgens, which translates to “always shining” in Latin — and the adjacent carriage house, the Nest, are Airbnbs.
Kristen and Matthew transformed the upstairs to accommodate up to nine people in three bedrooms and on a sofa bed. Guests use a separate entrance with a key code and have access to a full kitchen and bathroom, plus Ohio River views from the front porch.
Renovations were required to turn the brick carriage house into the Nest — the second floor was a hazard, upheld only by a giant beam, of which the couple kept pieces for decoration. A bedroom loft was installed above a full bathroom, sitting room with a coffee bar, and patio. Next to the loft is an event space, which visitors have access to.
All guests can relax in the backyard, which offers a fire pit and roses, peonies, lilacs, pear trees, tomatoes, and other vegetable plants, plus four pet chickens and a goldfish pond.
Kristen says that what draws visitors to their Airbnbs depends on the guest. Out-of-towners come for events nearby in Haynie’s Corner Arts District or Downtown Evansville. Jehovah’s Witnesses, who attend an annual convention each June, are wonderful guests, Kristen says.
Guests live separately from the couple for the most part, but “we like to meet people,” she says. “Mostly, it’s lovely people.”
Riverfront Loft
Honey Moon Coffee Co., owned by Zac and Jessica Parsons, expanded to Newburgh, Indiana, in June 2022 after ice cream shop Ben and Penny’s closed. The couple initially had no intent to add an Airbnb to their business plan.
“Immediately, we both thought this would be really cute as an Airbnb,” Jessica says. “Because of the view of the river, we immediately had a vision.”
Renovations took three months to complete before the loft opened in February 2023 as an Airbnb called Riverfront Loft. Jessica’s love of interior design, which she describes as a hobby, reimagined a cozy upstairs loft above a bustling coffee shop.
“I wanted it to look modern, but it still feels homey and traditional,” she says.
Past a separate entrance is a king-sized bed, TV, washer and dryer, full bathroom, and kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, and toaster. This small Airbnb suits couples seeking a romantic weekend, especially with its child-free policy.
A big selling point is its spot right on the Ohio River — the private balcony allows for a sweeping view. Jessica says renters often are those who get engaged at Honey Moon. She estimates 30 percent of renters are from the area, and many out-of-towners are looking to enjoy Downtown Newburgh.
The shop’s coffee grinder starts up at 6:30 a.m., but soundproofing with extra insulation and flooring keeps the noise down for overnight guests, who can enjoy a free drip coffee as a part of their stay.
“Guests are looking for an experience and not just a cookie-cutter hotel,” Jessica says.
Studio on Third
As Ten Adams renovated a new office space on Southeast Third Street in 2021, Jon Headlee, president of the healthcare marketing company, imagined a short-term rental space in one of the building’s office areas. One perk was that it could have a separate entrance leading to the street, making it perfect for guests.
Jon intended for the space, called Studio on Third, to serve Ten Adams’ remote workers when they visit Evansville. When employees don’t occupy it, the studio is open for overnight guests via Airbnb. Visitors enjoy proximity to Downtown events and is frequently rented by concertgoers.
“It made business sense to open this up to the public who want to go to a concert at the Ford Center,” Jon says.
“I’d say, at a minimum, we’re booked a third of the month,” says Corbin Headlee, Jon’s son and Ten Adams’ business development manager.
The studio is equipped with a full kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops. A hallway leads to the full bathroom and a bedroom with a king-sized bed. The Airbnb includes two televisions with a Netflix and a washer and dryer. Jennifer Scales, interior designer and owner of Y Factor Studios, appointed Ten Adams’ new office space and Airbnb with grays, blacks, and blues to elicit a comfortable, modern feel — much like Downtown’s rejuvenated energy.
“Location is everything. It’s a great location,” Corbin says.
Haven on the Hilltop
When Jen and Peter Taylor bought a two-house West Side property in 2017, both homes were in rough shape. Peter started renovating the 19th-century street-front residence into an Airbnb, while the other home accommodated the couple and their three children.
“This house was really dilapidated. Over the course of another year and a half, I was working on this. There were two layers of carpet pad and six layers of vinyl. We found all the hardwood underneath. We had to rewire and re-plumb the whole house,” Peter says. “When you have to do all that work, you get to do your own thing as opposed to something that’s already done and ready.”
Using his skills from renovating and managing properties, Peter began to completely revamp the house, which was built in 1864. Renovations included removing a downstairs chimney to create an open concept as much as possible. Peter’s work transformed the house into a three-bedroom rental that accommodates eight overnight guests. It boasts a full bathroom and kitchen, washer and dryer, TVs, and a dining room complete with a handcrafted driftwood table. Much of the furniture and decor the couple bought secondhand and online.
“We redid everything, so it’s pretty new in here,” Peter says.
It was listed on Airbnb as Haven on the Hilltop in 2019. Close to many West Side attractions, including Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden and Franklin Street, the Airbnb is especially popular during the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival.
Jen, a ceramics teacher at North High School who hails from Posey County, says customers choose Haven on the Hilltop for family-friendly celebrations that require a full kitchen and space for many guests. Those who rent for months at a time are usually remote workers or contractors.
In the future, Jen and Peter are thinking about adding a bathroom upstairs — and more.
“We are converting our garage into a pottery studio space for guests to book an experience,” Jen says.
