The house at 617 St. Peters St. in Jackson Ward underwent a dramatic transformation over the past few months. Photos by Brandy Brubaker and Katie Demeria.
A Jackson Ward eyesore has been rehabilitated thanks to a local nonprofit and a development company.
The long-vacant house at 617 St. Peter St. was condemnable before it was purchased earlier this year by Historic Richmond and then quickly sold it to a local real estate firm for a much-needed gutting and makeover.
Now with only a bit more work left in the kitchen, the house is largely complete. Clark Glavé of MacTyler Development Corp., which currently owns the home, said a couple will likely be closing on the property within the next few weeks. He did not disclose the purchase price.
Historic Richmond, which helps preserve historic properties, bought the house in January for $17,000 and sold it to MacTyler for the same price. MacTyler was able to do the work with a $135,000 loan obtained from Historic Richmond. Glavé’s company, Ark Construction & Development, was the general contractor on the project.
Glavé didn’t give the total cost of renovations, but said it was more than the value of the loan.
Clark Glavé
The house was built in 1895, Glavé said. Before its purchase, it had sat mostly vacant for around five years. The chimney had caved into the back of the house, and the front porch had nearly fallen away, Glavé said.
“The back was hanging on by a thread,” he said. “It was pretty much toast.”
MacTyler managed to save the home’s many historic features, including its Victorian-style front porch’s elaborate scrollwork, details on the staircase, and intricately designed trim on the mantles.
“It was a labor of love,” Glavé said.
To make the home more suitable for a modern buyer, Glavé also adjusted the floor plan, moving door frames around to increase accessibility. The house went from one bathroom to two and a half.
This was not MacTyler’s first move into the neighborhood with Historic Richmond. In October of 2013 the company completed renovations at 133 W. Jackson St., an 1813 structure sitting just a few houses down from the St. Peter Street house.
And it’s not the only shot of new life for this stretch of Jackson Ward. Just on the other side of the block, the Leigh Street Armory is undergoing an $8 million renovation to become the new home of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.
The house at 617 St. Peters St. in Jackson Ward underwent a dramatic transformation over the past few months. Photos by Brandy Brubaker and Katie Demeria.
A Jackson Ward eyesore has been rehabilitated thanks to a local nonprofit and a development company.
The long-vacant house at 617 St. Peter St. was condemnable before it was purchased earlier this year by Historic Richmond and then quickly sold it to a local real estate firm for a much-needed gutting and makeover.
Now with only a bit more work left in the kitchen, the house is largely complete. Clark Glavé of MacTyler Development Corp., which currently owns the home, said a couple will likely be closing on the property within the next few weeks. He did not disclose the purchase price.
Historic Richmond, which helps preserve historic properties, bought the house in January for $17,000 and sold it to MacTyler for the same price. MacTyler was able to do the work with a $135,000 loan obtained from Historic Richmond. Glavé’s company, Ark Construction & Development, was the general contractor on the project.
Glavé didn’t give the total cost of renovations, but said it was more than the value of the loan.
Clark Glavé
The house was built in 1895, Glavé said. Before its purchase, it had sat mostly vacant for around five years. The chimney had caved into the back of the house, and the front porch had nearly fallen away, Glavé said.
“The back was hanging on by a thread,” he said. “It was pretty much toast.”
MacTyler managed to save the home’s many historic features, including its Victorian-style front porch’s elaborate scrollwork, details on the staircase, and intricately designed trim on the mantles.
“It was a labor of love,” Glavé said.
To make the home more suitable for a modern buyer, Glavé also adjusted the floor plan, moving door frames around to increase accessibility. The house went from one bathroom to two and a half.
This was not MacTyler’s first move into the neighborhood with Historic Richmond. In October of 2013 the company completed renovations at 133 W. Jackson St., an 1813 structure sitting just a few houses down from the St. Peter Street house.
And it’s not the only shot of new life for this stretch of Jackson Ward. Just on the other side of the block, the Leigh Street Armory is undergoing an $8 million renovation to become the new home of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.
This article warmed my heart and gives me hope that there are still people like Glave who care enough about the architectural heritage of RVA to do “what is right” when it comes to preserving our history. I only wish more of those involved in construction and development in town worked so hard to save as much of the original architecture and structure as Glave has done here. Excellent work sir!
I agree with Sean. It looks like Glave did an incredible job and I hope he continues to renovate more homes!
Historic preservation of existing homes accounts for nearly 80% of the real estate tax abatements in the City. Those piecemeal house by house, block by block redevelopments by small builders contribute mightily to the rebirth of Richmond as a residential community.
Won’t it be wonderful when we convince builders and developers creating new neighborhoods that delightful residential architecture is worth striving for. After 125 years this home is still being admired, you can’t say that about most of what is being built these days.
Congrats to Historic Richmond and Clark. Another great success story! Keep it up.