Agenda Item Summary H I S T O R I C P R E S E RVAT I O N B OA R D Case Number M A Y 4, 2 0 1 6 HPB2016-00057 A G E N DA ITEM 3 512 EAST WASHINGTON STREET Applicant Orange Preservation Trust, Joy Dickinson Property Location 512 East Washington Street, Lake Eola Park (District 4) Requested Action The applicant is requesting the structure be considered for Orlando Historic Landmark designation. Location Map Subject Location N Recommendation Approval of request above, as the property meets the criteria for Orlando Historic Landmark status. Project Planner Richard Forbes S U M M A R Y Project Description The applicant is requesting landmark designation for the property. Background The building permit for a two story house at this location was given to George Marsh Jr. on May 4, 1924. The structure is in the Mediterranean Revival style. A rear addition was added by May A. Adkinson in 1947. The residence has been converted to office use. Public Comment Courtesy notices were mailed to nearby property owners on April 20, 2016. As of April 27, 2016, staff had received no inquiries from the public. Updated: April 27, 2016
Page 2 Section 65.720, Designation of Section 65.720, Designation of Historic Landmarks Historic Landmarks The Historic Preservation Board may designate by ordinance any site, building, structure or object as an Historic Landmark only when appropriate documentation demonstrates significance in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture and it possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association and: (a) That is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or (b) That is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or (c) That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values; or (d) That has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Case Number HPB2016-000057 May 4, 2016 P RO P E R T Y HISTORY AND ANALY S I S The property at 512 East Washington Street has been nominated for Orlando Landmark status under criteria categories A, B and C under Section 65.720 of the Land Development Code. Property History Timeline January 20, 1918, George Marsh buys lot 3 (512 East Washington-Vacant lot) and lot 4 (522 East Washington) from L. M. Fuller. They lived in the existing house at 522 until completion of the house at 512 East Washington Street. October 5, 1920, Permit issued to George Marsh for one story frame structure at 512 East Washington (This would have been for the garage which was demolished sometime after 1962.) May 4, 1924, permit issued to George Marsh for the construction of a two story residence. M.S. Brown was the contractor and the estimated cost of the residence was $9500.00 which was a sizeable amount of money at this time. The house is designed in the Mediterranean Revival Style which was popular during the boom years in Florida. The architect is unknown but future research may yield an answer as there were several notable architects designing in this style at this time in Orlando. The house is constructed of clay tile block with rough stucco as a finish material. Notable features include the porch with twisted columns and stylized Corinthian capitals as well as the decorative quatrefoil window over the entry. Changes to the house include enclosing the east side porch and the demolition of the garage. The green concrete roof tiles are replacements for what originally would have been natural clay color terra cotta barrel tiles. Marsh s interest in the Mediterranean Revival Style of architecture lasted his entire life. April 9, 1946, 512 East Washington Street is sold to May Adkinson. Adkinson appears to have altered and enlarged the rear of the home somewhat in 1947. November 6, 1947, Marsh purchases the Plant estate at 1020 Palmer Avenue in Winter Park which is a well known Mediterranean Revival Style house called Merrywood designed by James Gamble Rogers II in 1939. Marsh lived here until his death at age 90 on February 11, 1964. Marsh was very influential in the citrus industry and is believed to have created the Marsh Seedless Grapefruit. Nomination. Historic Landmarks may be nominated by the Historic Preservation Board, a member of City Council, owner of the proposed landmark or an authorized agent, a government agency, any organization with vested interest in the property and a recognized interest in historic preservation, or any person. (Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25102; Ord. of 6-20-1994, Doc. #27635) 512 East Washington. View from East.
Page 3 Section 65.720, Designation of Historic Landmarks The Historic Preservation Board may designate by ordinance any site, building, structure or object as an Historic Landmark only when appropriate documentation demonstrates significance in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture and it possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association and: (a) That is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or (b) That is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or (c) That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values; or (d) That has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. L A N D M A R K A N A LY S I S Case Number HPB2016-000057 May 4, 2016 This property was before the HPB as part of a multiple landmark designation request for the five properties facing this part of East Washington Street and North Eola Drive in 2008. Ultimately, the HPB was tied on the landmark designation and the motion failed. The other four properties were demolished and are now part of Lake Eola Park. The remaining structure at 512 East Washington Street remains and is in use by the Orlando Parks Department and is known as Eola House. The 1919 Sanborn Maps show that Lot 3 was empty. On May 4, 1924, a permit was issued to George Marsh Jr. for the construction of a two story residence. M.S. Brown was the contractor and the estimated cost of the residence was $9,500.00 which was a sizeable sum for this time. The garage appears to have been built at the same time. There is no record of who the architect or designer was. The house is associated with Marsh and events connected with the citrus industry in general and that played an extremely important part in the history of Orlando which satisfies Criteria A. The structure meets Criteria B because George Marsh was a well known and highly respected fruit grower in Central Florida as shown in the application. The residence is in the Mediterranean Revival Style which was popular during the boom years in Florida. The structure is of tile block with rough stucco as a finish material. The roof is a green tile. Some notable features include the porch with its twisted columns stylized Corinthian capitals, as well as the decorative quatrefoil window over the entry. The changes to the house include enclosing the east porch and the demolition of the garage. The roof tiles appear to be replacements for the originals, but are appropriate in style. The house has been well maintained and is in a prominent location at the edge of Lake Eola and is in current use. The Florida Master Site File created for the property in 1991 notes that the architecture of the house is significant at the local level. The structure meets the Criteria C as it exhibits the distinctive characteristics of the Mediterranean Revival style in Orlando. The applicant also notes that it is possible that the architect may have been Ida Ana Ryan and Isabel Roberts and if future research verifies that they designed the house, then it would have additional significance at both the local and national level. Staff Recommendation: The structure is significant for the history, culture, integrity of location, design, materials and association with significant people in Orlando s past. 512 East Washington Street meets the criteria in Section 65.720 and is eligible to be an Orlando Historic Landmark. Nomination. Historic Landmarks may be nominated by the Historic Preservation Board, a member of City Council, owner of the proposed landmark or an authorized agent, a government agency, any organization with vested interest in the property and a recognized interest in historic preservation, or any person. (Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25102; Ord. of 6-20-1994, Doc. #27635)
Page 4 C a s e N um be r H P B2 0 16-0 0 0 0 5 7 SITE PHOTOS Front View East View West View Rear View M ay 4, 2 0 16
Page 5 Case Number HPB2016-000057 May 4, 2016 S I T E P H O T O S Front Entry Porch Rear Stair Detail Eave Detail Chimney Detail
Page 6 C a s e N um be r H P B2 0 16-0 0 0 0 5 7 SITE PHOTOS Projecting Window Bay Window Detail Column Detail 19 Light Quatrefoil Window Detail M ay 4, 2 0 16
Page 7 Case Number HPB2016-000057 May 4, 2016 O R I G I N A L PLAT 1912
Page 8 Case Number HPB2016-000057 May 4, 2016 O R I G I N A L PURC H A S E
Page 9 C a s e N um be r H P B2 0 16-0 0 0 0 5 7 SANBORN FIRE INSURANCE MAPS 1919 1925 Sanborn Insurance Map. 1919 Sanborn Insurance Map Showing Lot 3 Vacant in 1919 M ay 4, 2 0 16
Page 10 C a s e N um be r H P B2 0 16-0 0 0 0 5 7 SANBORN FIRE INSURANCE MAPS 1925 1925 Sanborn Insurance Map Showing House at 512 East Washington Street M ay 4, 2 0 16
Page 11 Case Number HPB2016-000057 May 4, 2016 V I N TAG E MARSH FRU I T CRAT E LABEL
Page 12 Case Number HPB2016-000057 May 4, 2016 A P P L I C AT I O N STAT E M E N T OF SIGNIFICANCE 512 Washington Historic Significance The home at 512 East Washington Street is historically significant for several reasons. The first reason is because of the builder and original owner. On May 1924 a building permit was issued to George Marsh Jr. for the construction of this 2-story residence. M.S. Brown was the contractor and the house was estimated to have cost $9,500 at the time, which was a sizable amount of money for a home at that period in Orlando s history. What is significant about Mr. Marsh is he is an example of the citrus owning entrepreneurs who guided Orlando through one of its most turbulent and significant periods of its early history. At this time the Orlando citrus economy was recovering from the devastating back to back freezes of 1895/1896 and 1899. It was in the 20 s that the industry had recovered and was eclipsing its records before the freezes and becoming profitable again. He represents the entrepreneur/grower that came to Central Florida from the north (Massachusetts in 1918) and helped to grow the citrus industry. As a notable member of Orlando s Citrus owning class, he built this house in what as at the time one of Orlando s most fashionable locations. Lake Eola was surrounded by significant homes of the City s most influential citizens. Marsh was born in North Adams, Mass. In 1873 and died at age 90 on February 11, 1964. This relationship to the citrus industry recovery is especially important as Florida is currently undergoing an ever bigger threat to the citrus industry due to canker and citrus greening. And it sets an example of how central Florida was able to thrive in spite of adversity to one of its primary economic drivers. The other part of the economic story is that this house was built at the height of the land boom prior to the housing crash that occurred later in the decade, so it exemplifies that period of exuberance and prosperity in the real-estate industry and helps to explain the high construction costs. The Marsh house also owes its significance to its architectural style. This house is a superb example of 2 story Mediterranean revival architecture which was very popular at the time and reflects a broad cultural trend of wealthy people moving to Florida trying to capture the romance associated with its heritage of Spanish architectural styles, which was evocative of Florida s earliest European settlers.. The house is in excellent condition with roughly textured stucco, a substantial covered front terrace and several other porches and balconies. The exterior staircase is ornate and the terra cotta roof tiles typify this style of architecture. There is a significant amount of detailing as well, ranging from twisted columns with terra cotta Corinthian capitals, ornately carved window detailing, an ornate quatrefoil window and sculptured rafter tails. Further research may indicate a link with Orlando s first female architect, Ida Ryan, whose style this home typifies and who was at the peak of her career. It was Ida Ryan (born in Waltham Mass in 1873) who launched the first woman-owned Architectural firm in the US, located in Waltham, Mass. She moved to Orlando in 1918. Coincidently she was born in the same state and year as Marsh and moved to Orlando the same year he did. She was also designing her own Mediterranean revival home on Kenilworth at the same time Marsh s house would have been designed. This house is also significant as it is virtually the last surviving historic home on Lake Eola. As mentioned above, this was one of Orlando s premier locations when the home was constructed. It also typifies another broad trend of the era when significant homes were built on streets surrounded lakes, thereby maintaining full public access to these amenities. This development pattern strongly contrasts with the post war development trend that focus on privatization of natural amenities such as lakes, preventing public access or viewing. This example of celebrating valuable public view-sheds makes this development pattern all the more worthy or preservation. This house is one of two surviving grand residences that once surrounded the Lake Eola. The site of other reaming home across the lake just been approved for redevelopment which will require its demolition, leaving the Marsh house as the sole survivor of the many stately homes that once surround d the lake and the last example of that piece of Orlando s history. It is for these reasons that this home is worthy of recognition as an historic landmark of Orlando.
Page 13 Case Number HPB2016-000057 May 4, 2016 A P P L I C AT I O N BUILDING DESCRIPTION 512 Washington Street Building Description Style: Mediterranean Revival Exterior Plan: Rectangular. Number of Stories: 2.5 Structural Systems: Structural clay tile (assumed pending investigation) Foundation: Raised continuous foundation Foundation Materials: Smooth stucco Exterior Fabrics: Rough textured stucco Roof Type: Intersecting Gable with exposed rafter tails with detailed ends. Roof Materials: Barrel tile. Roof Secondary Structures: Shed roof over front porch, mostly obscured by a parapet; flat roofed terrace over a sun room/ porch with a parapet at the NE corner of building; pent roof over a bay on the front façade and a flat roof over a terrace at the rear west portion o the building. Chimney Number: Chimney materials: Chimney Locations: One Rough textured stucco. Chimney #1 is located in the east side of the front, central section of the building. East side of the front gable roof section Sloped roof, interior wall. Windows: DHS; wood; single; 1/1. Casement; wood; 3 pairs; 8 light. Casement; wood; 5 pairs; 8 light Casement; wood; single; 4 light Casement; wood; single; 6 light DHS; wood; single, 6/6. DHS; wood; triple; center, 6/6; outside, 4/4; with 2 carved decorative wood mullions. DHS; wood; paired; 6/6; with 2 carved decorative wood mullion. DHS; wood; triple; 6/6; with 1 carved decorative wood mullion. French door, wood, paired; cut/leaded glass. French door, metal, 2 pairs; 12 lights Fixed; wood; 19 light quatrefoil Fixed; lass; horizontal; single light. Main Entrance: The Main Entrance is facing north, fronting Washington St. The front door is approached along a narrow circular driveway paved with a running bond with a perimeter soldier course of red/ brown cast cobbles. A 4 walkway emerges from the mid point of the drive and meanders to the right to up to the front porch. The driveway continues down the left side of the building. 4 painted, concrete steps about 5 in width, lead up to the left side of the front porch. There is a decorative metal handrail on the right side of the steps. There is a ramp on the west outside edge of the porch with decorative metal railings.
Page 14 Case Number HPB2016-000057 May 4, 2016 A P P L I C AT I O N BUILDING DESCRIPTION (CONT.) Porches: A covered porch, open on the front and on the west, that extends across the west third of the façade. The porch has 3 spiral columns across the porch with stylized Corinthian capitals and simple bases. The columns support 3 simple arches that have been filled end. A parapet wall transitions down to the right and covers about most of the shed roof behind as it slope to the west. A rectangular column forms the left edge of the porch and is capped with a decorative, cast bracket that transitions into the end of the parapet. There is a terrace over an enclosed sun porch at the NE portion of the building and a terrace over an addition at the SW corner of the building Porch locations: Porch Roof Type: North/entrance; NE corner and SW corner. Shed roof behind a parapet. Exterior Ornamentation: Exposed rafter tails with decorative ends are a prominent feature. 3 spiral columns on the front porch. Rectangular vents with turned spindle filigree. Round tile vents in front gable, iron balcony over side entry. Cast bracket, round terracotta scuppers. Arched niche on upper portion of chimney. Interior Plan: Unknown interior plan. Condition: Excellent Surroundings: Lake Eola Park is to the, south and west. The three houses to the east were destroyed by the City of Orlando in 2013, beyond that is Eola Ave. To the north, across Washington St. is Lake Eola Park. The loss of the adjacent homes leaves this as the last residential structure on Lake Eola, once one of the most desirable places to live in Orlando. Ancillary Features: One large, approximately 100-year-old, specimen live oak (Quercus virginiana) in the NE portion of the lot that frames the façade of the house. It is about 42 in caliper with a 65 spread and is about 40 in height. There is a 36 caliper live oak (Quercus virginiana) with a 40 height and a 40 spread on the SW lot line; approximately 50 years old. There is a 36 caliper laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia) with a 40 spread and a 50 height, approximately 40 years old on the east lot line. Archeological remains: No evidence of archeological remains has been observed.