This 1925 built Tudor Revival, listed on the heritage inventroy but not designated, sold last summer. It’s one I’ve always been fond, of, but it’s usually overshadowed by it’s neighbour to the east, the Low-Martin House.
The new owners slapped a giant Lapico Renovations sign on the front lawn. [be warned if you click the Lapico link, the site is built with flash and has annoying music that loads with each page – turn off your speakers first, before cliciking]
The place has been gutted. Roof removed, and the inside reframed. Seeing as Lapico specializes in “new” homes, they along with the new owners, hopefully have the sense to restore the tudor elements, and allow it to continue to blend in with the neighbourhood.
I have heard that many people in the neighbourhood are nervous & concerned about how it will look once it’s done.
Hopefully the finished product looks like it did before, and not like a stucco clad suburban cookie cutter. We’ll definitely have to keep an eye on this one.
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Joe, your silly argument is akin to trashing an antique classic car and bolting on some new 2011 unmatched body panels because it needed an oil change. You're the styrofoam-stucco guy, right?
Edward:
I can appreciate all types of architecture, new or old. Some are more pleasing to the eye, but all may have their place.
I do not assume to know a person just from these posts. Remember when you assume you make an ass out of you.
Joe, that may well be but Walkerville along with few places (yes folks, few places) in Windsor have a certain architectural charm that makes the neighbourhoods what they are.
Now if there was a vacant lot and a house was bult to match the surrounding area then have at it. But nothing worse than demolishing beause "it is easier" or any other reason.
I have a turn of the century house and wouldn't re-do my front entrance until I found a pair of antique doors. I have now been restoring the doors to their original look as well as having Miller's mill all new oak for the surrounding front entrance both indoors and outdoors so that it looks like it did when the ouse was built.
The remuddling by the assholes who did it in the late 1980s has cost me even more money because they screwed it up.
I too like all types of architecture but people shouldn't plop down houses or businesses with modern buildings when the area isn't like that at all. Andrew has posted a house on Windermere that is out of place.
While you are correct we don't know what this will look like. Tearing out existing original trim is shameful on a good day.
Hopefully they re-use the original trim and doors. Some of those lead glass french doors are gorgeous! I need a pair so if the owner has them and wants to part with them let Andrew know. I will buy them immediately because my house is missing a pair.
Thank you to the previous Windsorite person who listed the link of the virtual tour of this beautiful home, as you can see it was restored beautifully despite what this new owner has to say to justify the distater she has created in this beautiful quiet neighborhood.
lapico homes is so great!! and if people have the money, spend it! cant wait till its done!! And Edward get a life and stop being so jealous your house probally sucks compared to this and stop trying to be a wana be just cause you did not get the job!
I haven't seen any posts recently on this project. I would love to see some updated photos now that the addition is complete and the new roof has been sheeted. My understanding of the project, when I had a very nice chat with the new home owner, is that she is in love with Old Walkerville and the charm of the period homes. She had waited years to find a house like this and wants very much to embrace the neighbourhood and the roots of the area. That is why the renovation is as extensive as it is. The foundation was in terrible condition and had to be repaired. The walls were completely empty and had zero insulation. When the ceilings and floors were examined, many of the supporting joists were damaged from prior renovations and no longer were structurally sound. Yes there is a new addition. Yes the roof is being replaced. I think the neighbourhood should be thankful that such a caring owner bought the place. Many times old homes look wonderful on the outside but are not up to continuing their life for another 90 years. It sounds like Ms. Clarke really wants to give this house the investment and care it needs to do just that. I for one could never buy a 90 year old house devoid of insulation and have the vision (or budget!) to breathe the life into it it deserves. Has anyone else here spoken with the new owner and understood what her plans are or why she is going through such extensive efforts? Let's not rush to judgement. Lapico won Ontario Builder of the Year from Tarion a few years ago - that is a MAJOR builder award. I am guessing that he likely knows what he is doing. Windsorite Man - rain on exposed lumber for a few weeks isn't going to rot it - have you seen any new home being built in the spring? Airflow and time will evaporate the water. Again, I am sure a builder of Lapico's ability and experience understands construction basics. As my name implies, let's Wait and See. (Btw, the roofing contractor was on the roof the other day waterproofing the new roof for slate! I don't see too many other homes with slate - any of you neighbours with new asphalt shingles on your old homes have issues with your own modernization?) I also see a lot of nice new vinyl windows in many of these "old" homes in the neighbourhood so let's stop throwing stones and give the project the benefit of the doubt, as the original post suggests. I also understand Ms. Clarke owns a window company and has gone through the efforts of pulling the period windows that couldn't be replicated to restore them. Doesn't sound like a trashing of a historical home that some seem to have implied here without even discussing the project with the homeowner. So for a third time, let's Wait and See!
I'm very afraid of how the end result will be for this house. Old or not, restoration is NOT harder than retrofitting. Living in Toronto now; I've seen too many older stately mansions in Forest Hill here become suburban stucco schlock with no historical redeeming value or sense of pride at all. On my next visit down, I'm going to do a drive by.
This job is sure moving Slooooooooooooowwww. I can’t believe that in 4 months all the contractor did was put up the roof trusses and sheathing, most experienced contractors that I have come across would have had that small amount of work completed in less then one month. I also can’t believe that the windows haven’t been installed yet.
Eva October 24,2011 12:30pm
Altering an older home can take an unpredictable amount of time to finish so let's just give it that. Rather than harp about someone who is lovingly restoring a property, why don't we comment on the 1970 style homes that dot the Walkerville area. These inappropriate eyesores detract from the neighborhood far more than any temporary restoration.