The Athens, Georgia estate of University of Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart House has garnered significant attention since being listed for sale in 2024. This remarkable property uniquely combines historic architecture with modern amenities, serving both as a family Kirby Smart House and a strategic recruitment venue for the Georgia Bulldogs football program. The property showcases the intersection of collegiate sports culture and high-end real estate, with its design specifically tailored to accommodate both private family life and the entertainment of potential recruits and university VIPs.
Historical Background and Architectural Significance
The Smart residence sits on an expansive 2.2-acre parcel in Athens’ prestigious Five Points neighborhood, approximately two miles from Sanford Stadium. At the heart of the property stands an original 1920s stone cottage that has been thoughtfully preserved and integrated into the overall estate design. This historic structure was initially constructed as a hunting lodge before being expanded and converted into a private residence over the decades. When Mary Beth Smart first encountered the property, she was immediately drawn to its charm, noting the heart-pine floors, tall ceilings, and distinctive stone walls covering both exterior and interior surfaces.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Kirby Paul Smart | |
| December 23, 1975 | |
| Montgomery, Alabama, USA | |
| University of Georgia (Bachelor’s in Finance), Florida State University (Master’s) | |
| Head Coach, University of Georgia Football Team | |
| Started in 1999; Head Coach at UGA since 2015 | |
| Two-time College Football Playoff National Champion (2021, 2022) | |
| Mary Beth Lycett Smart | |
| Three: Weston, Julia, and Andrew | |
| Estimated at $50 million |
In 2017, the Smarts worked with interior designer Cindy Dunaway Waites and DreamBuilt Kirby Smart House to undertake a significant renovation and expansion project. The team replaced a previous addition with new personal quarters while remodeling the historic cottage to serve football-related functions. This renovation maintained the property’s original character while adapting it to meet the unique needs of a high-profile collegiate coaching family. The preservation of the stone façade influenced design decisions for the new construction, steering the aesthetic toward a modern farmhouse style featuring shiplap walls, barn doors, industrial lighting, and decorative touches of pecky cypress.
The resulting residence represents a harmonious blend of historical preservation and contemporary functionality. The two distinct sections of the Kirby Smart House—the original stone cottage and the 2017 addition—are connected by a central dining room that can serve either wing, creating a cohesive yet flexible living environment that honors both the property’s past and its present purpose.
Property Specifications and Distinctive Features
The Smart residence is substantial both in size and amenities, with various sources reporting slightly different specifications. The property encompasses between 7,100 and 9,365 square feet of living space, featuring seven bedrooms and between 7.5 and 9 bathrooms across its various wings. The main residence, constructed in 2017, adjoins the historic stone cottage and showcases numerous high-end features throughout.
Inside the main residence, the living spaces are characterized by spaciousness and refined detailing. The main room features an elegant coffered ceiling and flows seamlessly into a gourmet kitchen equipped with professional-grade appliances, a generous island, wine refrigeration, and a walk-in pantry that includes a dedicated coffee station. Ten-foot ceilings throughout the main living areas create an atmosphere of openness and grandeur.
The primary bedroom suite, located on the first floor, features a distinctive shiplap ceiling and connects to a luxurious bathroom with a multi-head shower, marble countertops, and a soaking tub. The master closet is particularly notable, resembling a high-end boutique with a storage island and mirrored shoe shelves. The upper level houses two additional bedrooms that share a marble bathroom, along with a small library featuring built-in bookcases.
The lower level has been designed with entertainment in mind, providing ample space for recreational activities including pool and ping-pong tables. Additional amenities throughout the Kirby Smart House include a rec room, gas log fireplace, and numerous architectural details that blend historic charm with modern convenience.
The exterior features are equally impressive, with the property including a two-car garage topped by a carriage house, a covered stone patio, a screened porch perfect for seasonal outdoor living, and a built-in barbecue station. The grounds offer multiple driveway options and carefully landscaped surroundings that enhance the property’s overall appeal.
Dual-Purpose Design: Family Kirby Smart House and Recruitment Asset
What truly distinguishes the Smart residence is its intentional dual functionality. When the Smarts purchased the property in 2016, they did so with specific requirements in mind that went beyond typical family needs. As Mary Beth Smart explained, “We had a set of unique needs for this Kirby Smart House, which is one reason it took six months to find. There are times when we might host players and their families with all the coaches, and 75 people could be here at once”.
This unique requirement led to the creation of what the Smarts refer to as the “football wing” of the house, separate from their family quarters. This dedicated area serves as a crucial asset in Georgia’s recruitment efforts, allowing potential players and their families to visit the coach’s Kirby Smart House in a comfortable, welcoming environment. As Kirby Smart noted, “It makes recruits feel like they’re part of the Bulldog family when you let them come into your house”. These officially sanctioned visits might include recruits and their parents playing games with the Smart children, enjoying informal meals, or viewing sports memorabilia—all activities designed to foster connection and showcase the culture of Georgia football.
The stone cottage section primarily houses these football-related functions, while the newer construction provides the family with private living space. The connecting dining room serves as a flexible space that can accommodate either the family’s daily needs or larger recruitment gatherings. This ingenious layout allows the Smarts to maintain a clear boundary between their professional and personal lives while maximizing the Kirby Smart House utility for Georgia’s football program.
Current Sale Status and Market Position
In May 2024, the Smart family listed their Athens residence for sale at $4.2 million, making it the most expensive Kirby Smart House listing in Athens at that time. Despite the premium pricing, the property has experienced several price adjustments since its initial listing. By July 2024, the asking price had been reduced to $3.99 million, representing a $210,000 decrease. Further adjustments followed, with the price dropping to $3.875 million by December 2024.
The listing is being handled by Corcoran Classic Living, with agent Mary Catherine Smith representing the property. Marketing materials for the Kirby Smart House emphasize its unique combination of “casual elegance” and historical significance, highlighting both the original stone cottage and the newly constructed main residence.
Despite the property being for sale, sources consistently emphasize that Coach Smart is not leaving the University of Georgia. Rather, his decision to sell coincides with his new status as the highest-paid coach in college football, having signed a 10-year, $130 million contract extension. Analysts suggest he is likely seeking an upgraded residence rather than relocating away from Athens.
Kirby Smart’s Career Context and Financial Position
Understanding the significance of this property sale requires contextualizing it within Kirby Smart’s career and financial standing. Smart, who played defensive back for Georgia himself before entering coaching, took over as head coach of the Bulldogs in December 2015. Since then, he has established himself as one of college football’s premier coaches, leading Georgia to two College Football Playoff National Championships, six SEC Eastern Division titles, and two Southeastern Conference championships. His success culminated in ESPN naming him the top head coach in college football.
Smart’s professional achievements have been accompanied by substantial financial rewards. His net worth is estimated at approximately $50 million, derived from his coaching salary, endorsements, media compensation, and various investments. His recent contract extension provides a base salary of $10.75 million for 2024, scheduled to increase to $12.25 million by 2031. Beyond this base compensation, Smart earns approximately $6.4 million annually from media appearances and an additional $3.5 million from endorsement deals with companies including Nike, Pepsi, Mercedes-Benz, and State Farm Insurance.
This financial context helps explain both the luxury of the current Smart residence and the family’s decision to seek a new home. As one of collegiate sports’ highest-paid figures, Smart’s real estate choices reflect both his professional status and personal preferences.
Conclusion
The Kirby Smart residence in Athens represents far more than a typical luxury Kirby Smart House. It stands as a physical embodiment of the intersection between collegiate athletics and personal life that defines the experience of high-profile coaches. Through thoughtful design and renovation, the property seamlessly combines historic preservation with modern luxury while simultaneously serving as both a private family sanctuary and a strategic asset for the University of Georgia football program.
As the property continues its journey on the real estate market, its future owner will acquire not just an exceptional residence but a piece of Athens and UGA football history. The Kirby Smart House’s unique dual functionality, architectural significance, and connection to one of college football’s most successful coaches ensure its place as a distinctive property in the Athens community. Meanwhile, Smart’s decision to sell likely signals the beginning of a new chapter for his family, undoubtedly in a residence that will continue to reflect both his professional prominence and personal requirements as he continues his coaching career at Georgia.
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