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REMODELING HISTORIC VICTORIAN HOMES
Remodeling Historical Victorian homes takes special care and patience. Many beautiful Victorian homes were built in Santa Cruz County in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
The city and county of Santa Cruz give owners of Historical Victorians incentives, such as reduced permit fees to inspire the homeowners to remodel the homes and preserve them versus tearing them down. Other incentives include modifications in the zoning regulations. Historic homeowners can convert a garage to another use and are often not required to have covered parking.
Typically the historic home regulations call for "keeping the character and defining features" of these homes. They are required to keep the horizontal siding, and double hung windows. However, the owners can paint the home any colors they wish as well as change the interiors.
Hansmann Construction has remodeled three Victorians in Santa Cruz, and
we are just completing our fourth. It's an Italianate Style Victorian home originally constructed in 1892 at 440 Caledonia Street. Two streets over on Ocean View Avenue, a street with many historical homes, we've remodeled two other Victorians.
We also remodeled the West Cliff Inn across from the Dream Inn many
years ago.
The first step in remodeling most Victorians is replacing the foundation. In the late 1800's most of the foundations were stone and mortar and those foundations are now failing. This is a difficult procedure. A professional "house lifter" is hired to lift the home up and put it on steel girders temporarily while a new foundation is poured, then the house is lowered back down.
Most Victorians need all new electrical, plumbing and insulation as the
homes need to be brought up to current codes. These homes typically need a new kitchen and bathrooms as well.
It's very rewarding to work with home owners to bring these historic homes back to their former glory.
Here are some before photos and "in progress" photos of the Caledonia house.
We will happily share our finished photos with you in about a month. In 1973 the Santa Cruz Historical Society began a program to educate the community about the rich architectural heritage of the Santa Cruz city and county.
The blue Historic Landmark plaques you
see on many homes around town were intended to benefit both the community
and the historic property owners. By highlighting these historic structures it
is educating the public and providing visibility for the successful preservation.
Many homes in Santa Cruz have distinctions with the Santa Cruz Historical Society and are on the National Registry of Historical Places as well.
Santa Cruz Victorian Walking Tour
A fun site to look at Victorian's around Santa Cruz is the walking tour site Click Here.
RECYCLED RUSTIC WEDDING
On a side note, we used some of the old doors, windows and wood taken from the Caledonia home remodel and used them recently in our nephew's Recycled Rustic Wedding.
We took the 121 year old redwood boards from the home and made succulent planter boxes as the center pieces and used old siding for decorative signs for the wedding.
A fun way to Recycle and Reuse with a casual rustic touch, a popular theme in weddings these days.
We have recently moved to the Westside of Santa Cruz and
our new phone number is 831-713-5880 fax 831-713-5879.
Steve, Julie and John Hansmann
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