One of the Few Remaining Art Moderne Homes in Orlando

By Mark Baratelli
The Doerr House at 324 Desoto Circle was recommended by the Historic Preservation Board to City Council as an Orlando Local Historic Landmark. 

Built in 1940, the home is designed in the International Style/Art Moderne. It was built for William J. Doerr and designed, according to the current owner, by Richard Boone Rogers

The structure is a contributing structure in the Lake Ivanhoe National Register District.

As described in Landmark application: The horizontal streamline structure with Bauhaus-school elements is one of the few remaining preserved examples of the Art Moderne style in Orlando. The machine-age inspired, V-shaped structure with its curved center segment, rhythmically steeped flanks and double garage (unusual for the time) sports horizontal stucco bands, meandering brickwork topping the raised parapet and concrete “eyebrows” above the all metal casement windows”. The wave bas-relief border on the portico, porthole door, original metal railings and columns to the nautical design theme which was typically of its time.

The Original owner, Bill Doerr, owned the Great Dane Trailers, 4420 North Orange Blossom Trail, which was distinguished with a 20 foot high Great Dane statue. It was removed after 2002, when the property was sold (RoadsideAmerica.com).

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