The Restoration Journey
Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future
The vision and goal of this project is to restore the building as a single-family residence, with the hall-parlor configuration maintained, and restore the balance of the building with the construction of an enclosed wooden porch in an appearance reflective of the historical period.
To achieve this, we proposed the following: a comprehensive rehabilitation for the main house, removal of a brick addition, an addition within the original footprint and design aesthetic as an enclosed side porch, and a masonry element. A previously existing garage location is being re-established as a garage function with a terrace space above. The plan will use Abercorn Street for garage and driveway access — new wood double gates will conceal a garage entry recessed 27′ from Abercorn. The entry stoop will be modified to have a single stair toward Abercorn and to have a masonry construction aesthetic vs that of a formed and poured concrete stoop and stair.
Through the review of the sanborn maps and zoning requirements, the preservationist established that the existing three-story brick addition was not a contributing element to the original side hall townhouse.
In the process of reviewing the history of the home, it was learned that there was a wood side porch in the location of the masonry addition we are proposing for removal. The plans for the addition of a mostly enclosed side porch are based on a footprint of this porch noted in the sanborn maps. The proposed porch expression is 15′ wide vs 16′-6″ documented in the 1937 Cadastral Survey. This new porch will have an open bay toward the square and the balance will be enclosed with glass from the rail height up. The expression of the porch rail is maintained for the enclosed areas. This design approach aligns with other side porches on the square in the ward.
The renovation addresses in kind repairs for the historic main house including the stucco, stucco detail, wood trim, wood details, wood windows, and rear balcony reconstruction based on historic images and cadastral map dimensions.
The primary materials of the new addition are wood frame and wood detailing on the enclosed porch over a brick veneer foundation. New Marvin brand windows are proposed for the new addition; cut sheets are provided. The secondary portion of the addition is wood frame with brick veneer siding. The brick is Pine Hall Spanish Moss Brick and will be painted with Keim mineral paint to match the stucco of the main house.
The side yard facing Gordon Street will be restored as a garden. The renovation removes the vehicular gates, curb cut, and concrete drive. A new brick fence with a pair of wood garden gates is included along the Gordon Street sidewalk, as well as the restoration the tree lawn space.
1. The scale of the remainder of the new addition. )
- The height of the porch element is reduced by 1′-0″ and width 15′- 0”
- The secondary addition is a height by 2′-1″ and by 1′-0″ in width
- We have provided contextual information for the neighboring properties and believe the project is a very contextually compatible addition
2. Window sashes 3″from the exterior facade.
3. Design of the front stoop columns is in keeping with the historic buildings design. The proposed porch column design is based off existing in place wood pilasters. The proposed material for the stoop elements is painted wood. Newel posts are incorporated into the design.
4. The Reconstructed Balcony
The reconstructed balcony is based on images and the 1937 Cadastral Survey which documents a 4′ depth
5. Removal of the Gordon Street curb cut and vehicular gates from the east – west street.
- The curb cut is planned for removal with a curb restoration to match adjacent
- The vehicular gates are to be replaced with a new pair of wood garden gates with a total width of 5′
- Tree lawn restoration is also proposed in this area and along Abercorn
127 East Gordon Street 