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News Archives
A.C.O.R.N. ANNOUNCES
WINNERS
OF 2007 PRESERVATION AWARDS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5 October 2007
CONTACT: David Herring * 804.422.2148 * dherring@richmondneighborhoods.org
Richmond, VA - The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods (A.C.O.R.N.) paid tribute to the individuals that are "in the trenches" renovating and revitalizing Richmond's historic neighborhoods at its annual Golden Hammer Awards on Oct. 4, 2007. The winners were announced in the categories of Best Residential Renovation, Best Commercial Renovation and Best Infill Construction.
*BEST RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION:
WINNER: Beverly El & Gable Painter
FOR: 816 / 818 North 23rd Street ~ Union Hill Historic District
Developer / Contractor: G.P. Restoration
816 / 818 North 23rd Street - BEFORE RENOVATION
816 / 818 North 23rd Street - AFTER RENOVATION
This Italianate double house, built in 1883, is the last remaining building on the east side of the 800 block of North 23rd Street. Constructed as working class housing in the Union Hill neighborhood, this desolate double house was in a state of total collapse when Gable Painter saw its potential despite the fact the building was out of plumb by nearly a foot Mr. Painter convinced the owner, Beverly El, to help him bring this modest address back to its original state. Mr. Painter served as the general contractor for the meticulous restoration which included exact duplication of the original porch columns and bracketed cornice, milling the exact dimension of the original exterior clapboards, and hoisting the structure back into an upright position. Mr. Gable's efforts have rescued this formerly dilapidated house and transformed it into a stunning home for new Union Hill residents. The entire renovation process was documented by a new television series on The Learning Channel focusing on renovation of historic homes, which will air in November.
* BEST COMMERCIAL RENOVATION:
WINNER: Berry Burk, LLC
FOR: Berry Burk Building, 525 East Grace Street
In the Grace Street Commercial Historic District
Architect: Commonwealth Architects
Contractor: Trent Construction
Devloper: Echelon Resources
Berry Burke Building - BEFORE RENOVATION
Berry Burke Building - AFTER RENOVATION
Many Richmonders remember the Berry Burk Building positioned distinctively as part of the once fashionable shopping enclave along East Grace Street. This corner landmark building at East Grace and Sixth Streets was part of a flurry of retail construction in the 1920s that quickly transformed the area from quiet residential street to a bustling commercial shopping district. After thriving for several decades, the majority of the shops along East Grace Street became a victim to area mega-mall expansion, leaving the Berry Burk building an empty shell for many years. This year, the Berry Burk building has regained its prominence at the corner of Sixth and Grace with a complete renovation by Commonwealth Architects. All of the original historic details, such as the elaborate terra-cotta polychromed panels and carved limestone elements have been repaired and rehabilitated to their former opulence. This landmark building that once brought shoppers in droves now houses residents on its upper floors and will soon feature a restaurant on the prominent street corner of Sixth and Grace.
* Best Infill Construction:
WINNER: Allen Townsend, Whippoorwill River, LLC
FOR: 610 Idlewood Avenue, Oregon Hill Historic District
Designer: Allen Townsend
Contractor: Victorian Homebuilders, LLC
610 Idlewood Avenue
Located in a prominent gateway into the Oregon Hill neighborhood, Allen Townsend knew the vacant lot at 610 Idlewood Avenue would need to stand out. Mr. Townsend studied
the neighborhood architecture and re-created the details of the surrounding historic structures of the area and applied them to a new building with artistry. Equally innovative is the fact that 610 Idlewood Avenue is the first factory-built modular house in Richmond
to be specifically adapted to a vacant lot in a dense urban environment. The combination of new, energy-efficient modular construction, with the meticulous attention to historic detailing applied to the building shell, has resulted in house whose new character
instantly blends with the surrounding character of the historic neighborhood.
THE 2007 JUDGING PANEL
- Dr. Morton B. Gulak, Ph.D.
- Thomas Asch - Commercial Developer, Shockoe Development
- Matthew Bolster - Project Manager, Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority
- Dr. Bryan C. Green, Ph.D. - Architectural Historian
- George Kite, III - A.C.O.R.N. Member
- Camden Whitehead - Architect, Faculty - VCU School of the Arts
Recipients of this year's A.C.O.R.N's Standing Awards include:
* THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATOR AWARD
REBUILDING TOGETHER, AMY KING, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rebuilding Together is being honored for their citywide home repair program that makes it possible for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners to remain in their homes. Rebuilding Together’s efforts preserve diverse neighborhoods.
Rebuilding Together is the Richmond affiliate of a national program that helps low-income elderly and disabled homeowners maintain their homes. During a one-day “blitz,” the last Saturday in April, over 1,500 volunteers make both minor and major repairs to qualified homes. Since 1993, Rebuilding Together has improved nearly 700 homes in 15 Richmond communities. Last year alone, including volunteer hours, over $800,000 in improvements were made. Swansboro will be the 2008 target community.
* THE ANDREW ASCH DEVELOPER AWARD
Photo courtesy of Richmond Times~Dispatch
JOHN T. WEST, IV
John T. West, IV is honored for sparking the rejuvenation of 2000 block of Idlewood Avenue. He started with a single neglected apartment building and has been the catalyst for revitalizing an entire block.
Three years ago a group of vacant apartment buildings in the 2000 block of Idlewood Avenue caught John West’s attention. Some of the buildings were vacant, all were in deplorable condition, and absentee landlords owned most. Tracking down the owner he purchased the first building and made the decision to concentrate his efforts in one block in order to make a difference. His goal is simple to provide a clean, safe, and affordable place for people to live. His primary requirement of the tenants is to be respectful of their neighbors. Mr. West’s efforts have been the catalysis for the stabilization of the block.
* THE MARGUERITE CRUMLEY PRESERVATION AWARD
JAMES F. "JIMMY" KASTELBERG
James F. “Jimmy” Kastelberg, Caravati’s Inc. is honored for his continuing the family tradition of architectural salvage which makes priceless artifacts available for renovators.
Louis J. Caravati, a demolition contractor who could not throw anything away, founded Caravati’s in 1939. In that year he purchased an old lumberyard and utilized the space to store and resell architectural salvage. In 1983, James F. “Jimmy” Kastelberg, Louis’ grandson, took ownership of the business. Now located in historic Manchester, Caravati’s has tripled in size and inventory. Jimmy’s preservation services provide an outlet to people renovating houses and the materials that contribute to the restoration of buildings throughout all Richmond neighborhoods. In 2006, A.C.O.R.N. and Caravati’s entered into an association called A.C.O.R.N.’s Attic which allows individuals to donate high-quality antiques and architectural elements while supporting both entities.
* THE PRESERVATION ADVOCACY AWARD
JENNIE DOTTS
Jennie Dotts is honored for her unfailing dedication to historic preservation and her seven years of service as the Executive Director of A.C.O.R.N.
Jennie Dotts strongly believes that neighborhood preservation is a social issue. By tending to the small signs of a neighborhood’s decline one can stave off larger social problems. A belief at the core of A.C.O.R.N.’s founding and the reason Jennie was asked in 2000 to be the organization’s Executive Director. During her seven-year tenure at A.C.O.R.N., Dotts elevated A.C.O.R.N.’s visibility and developed key programs that furthered A.C.O.R.N.’s neighborhood mission.
* THE EDMUND A. RENNOLDS, JR. EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURE AWARD
DR. CHARLES E. BROWNELL
Dr. Charles Brownell, III, Professor of Art History, Virginia Commonwealth University, is honored for setting a high standard of academic achievement and educating the next generation of architectural historians.
Dr. Charles E. Brownell, III teaches Architectural History at Virginia Commonwealth University where he fosters high academic standards and encourages cutting edge original research. Every fall, under his direction a select group of students present their findings at the Symposium on Architectural History and the Decorative Arts. The papers often shed new light on Richmond and Virginia landmarks.
* SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
LAURA DAAB
Laura Daab, Church Hill North Historic District Initiative, is honored for her efforts to have the Church Hill North area designated as a City Old and Historic District. This designation adds a level of protection to a fragile and threatened neighborhood.
Laura, a resident of the Church Hill North community, had long been concerned over the number of demolitions and vacant buildings in her neighborhood and the recent spate of inappropriate infill construction. In the summer of 2006, she organized the Church Hill North Historic District Initiative to begin the process to have the area designated as a City Old and Historic District. Old and Historic designation would provide a level of protection and design review for the fragile neighborhood that contains buildings dating back to the early nineteenth century. These efforts culminated on May 29, 2007 when City Council voted 8 to 0 to designate the district.
Architectural historian and A.C.O.R.N. Board member Kimberly Chen emceed the awards celebration held at the recently renovated renovated Orchard House School, formerly a private Jewish men's club, now a private school for middle school girls, located at 500 North Allen Avenue in the Fan.
A.C.O.R.N. is a nonprofit organization that promotes the purchase and renovation
of buildings in old neighborhoods with a special focus on vacant and abandoned properties.
1307-A East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 422-2148
www.richmondneighborhoods.org