Architect Max Brito (Website) submitted an application requesting a Major Certificate of Appropriateness to the Historic Preservation Board to construct a new terrace on the side of the Orange County Regional History Center at 65 E. Central Blvd (MAP).
The terrace project will include the following:
- landscaping
- planters
- fence
- gates
- retaining walls
- railings
- ADA compliant ramp access
The subject property is the 1927 Orange County Courthouse which has been converted for use as the Orange County Regional History Center. The building was designed by Murray S. King and constructed by a Jacksonville firm. King was Florida’s first registered architect. King died before the completion of the courthouse and his son, James B. supervised the remaining construction.
The proposal affects a small amount of historic material where the northern wing of the stone wall on the stairs will have to be modi- fied to allow the ramp to arrive at the landing adjacent to the doors. The area where the proposed terrace will be located has already been changed to accommodate the history center and no historic material is affected. The east steps originally led to one of the building entrances. The access to this area was removed when the building was repurposed and the main entry moved to the south side. The original HPB staff report for the rehabilitation of the building was to require low landscaping in a swath leading to the building to emulate the old walkway. The proposal will remove this and create a terrace and wall and fence adjacent to the sidewalk.
Subject to the following conditions, the proposal is consistent with the requirements for approval of new construction contained in Sections 62.201, 62.704,and 62.705 of the Land Development Code (LDC):
The courthouse is a Beaux Arts style building clad in Indiana Limestone. The building has typical details of the style including symmetrical facades, accentuated cornices, rusticated stone on the lower level, Palladian windows, pilasters, Doric colonnades and a parapet with a flat roof.
The applicant is proposing to add a terrace to the east side of the building in what is now a landscaped area. The original steps and paving from the east doors are leaking water into the basement and the paving will be taken up and the leaks repaired and the pavement stones and stairs reinstalled. Ramps are proposed from the landing to the terrace and from the south entry side of the building so that the terrace is ADA accessible.
The proposed materials will consist of limestone and concrete to match existing fit and finish at the ramp and pylon cap. Planter bowls at the stairs will be fabricated from cast concrete. New painted steel railings and gates are proposed to complement the existing historic aesthetic. Large format concrete pavers will be used for the terraces, and existing stone pavers will be refurbished and reset at the grand staircase landing. The retaining walls will be poured in-place concrete, to match the existing retaining walls.
The applicant is proposing to add a terrace to the east side of the building in what is now a landscaped area. The original steps and paving from the east doors are leaking water into the basement and the paving will be taken up and the leaks repaired and the pavement stones and stairs reinstalled. Ramps are proposed from the landing to the terrace and from the south entry side of the building so that the terrace is ADA accessible.
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The proposed materials will consist of limestone and concrete to match existing fit and finish at the ramp and pylon cap. Planter bowls at the stairs will be fabricated from cast concrete. New painted steel railings and gates are proposed to complement the existing historic aesthetic. Large format concrete pavers will be used for the terraces, and existing stone pavers will be refurbished and reset at the grand staircase landing. The retaining walls will be poured in-place concrete, to match the existing retaining walls.
The proposal affects a small amount of historic material where the northern wing of the stone wall on the stairs will have to be modi- fied to allow the ramp to arrive at the landing adjacent to the doors. The area where the proposed terrace will be located has already been changed to accommodate the history center and no historic material is affected. The east steps originally led to one of the building entrances. The access to this area was removed when the building was repurposed and the main entry moved to the south side. The original HPB staff report for the rehabilitation of the building was to require low landscaping in a swath leading to the building to emulate the old walkway. The proposal will remove this and create a terrace and wall and fence adjacent to the sidewalk.
Subject to the following conditions, the proposal is consistent with the requirements for approval of new construction contained in Sections 62.201, 62.704,and 62.705 of the Land Development Code (LDC):
- All changes to this proposal shall be reviewed and approved by HPB Minor Review Committee prior to permitting.
- Final fence design shall require additional minor review and a simpler fence style is recommended.
- Landscape planting plan showing trees to be removed and new landscaping shall require additional minor review.
- Final paving materials and seating fixtures shall require additional minor review.
- Move east retaining walls of terrace near the sidewalk back a minimum of 4 feet to create a larger indentation and planter area along pedestrian zone.
- Move south retaining wall of terrace back a minimum of 4 feet to create larger lower level planting area adjacent to plaza area.
