Citizens of the World Find Home on Beaver Ave
Owners Katie and Chris
In the summer of 2020 Katie Green Benvenuto and Chris Benvenuto came to Fort Wayne by way of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (formerly of Washington DC) searching for a home. Chris, a native of New Jersey retired from the U.S. Army where she was stationed in a dozen countries during her service and Katie from interior design in DC where they met.
Katie, born and raised in Fort Wayne lived in homes on Hoagland Avenue and Kensington Boulevard decades ago and knew the places that kept their search focused on historic homes in several well-loved city neighborhoods. They looked at many homes Katie’s niece, a local realtor sent them insisting they HAD to be in the ‘07. Southwood Park soon delivered an Arts & Crafts Tudor with charm they couldn’t resist. So charming in fact, they bought it over the internet
In August 2020 they moved 2,259 miles to 4222 Beaver Avenue with their two cats Ocho and Ollie - both from rescues they volunteered for in Puerto Vallarta. They admitted it was slow getting to know neighbors five months into a pandemic but they chatted with passerby and surrounding neighbors eventually hosting people on their front porch. Nearly three years later, not only have they made friends they have also transformed their eclectic home - a striking juniper green exterior paint on the body, deeper brown accent on the brackets under deep eaves and new cedar shakes in place of crumbling stucco at the peak.
The interior hosts beautiful original artwork and pieces from their travels and former homes, a handsome fireplace with symmetrical built-in shelves featuring a small bar with a fold out gate leg table. The backyard features an intimate garden, river rock path, fire pit, deck with furniture punctuated by colorful perennials.
As Ocho and Ollie enjoy watching birds and other pets pass by in any weather from their cat perches on the front porch, Chris and Katie also love their place on the curve of Beaver Avenue affectionately known as the “Beaver Hut” and meeting people who will become lifelong friends.
Rescue Cats Ocho & Ollie
