9 Vicente Terrace Craftsman – Renovation:
Constructed in 1906, this historic house was the sole residence on the block at the time with the beach coming up to its side yard. Time, the elements, and the Great Depression were unkind to this craftsman beauty as it was turned into a nine-bedroom boarding house during the 30s. The design by Lee + Mundwiler architects called for “gutting” the interior, raising the house off its foundation to add a basement (wine cellar), and stripping the exterior so that the structure could be sheared for strength. The interior called for an open modern floor plan, and the exterior – per Santa Monica historic code- had to be returned to its original appearance using materials that replicated the original finish, style, and dimension. Steel Beams were inserted to support the second story in the house, allowing for the open front-to-back floor plan. The result is an eclectic weaving of old and new appointments and architecture.
