For Residential Rehabilitation Harward House, 215 E. Chatham Street, Apex
Built around the turn-of-the-twentieth century for a member of one of Apex’s most prominent families, the Harward House at 215 E. Chatham is an excellent example of a vernacular Queen Anne-style house with its irregular form and roofline, four-over-four windows, exterior treatment of the front section of the house, and floor plan. The house languished for more than five decades as a three-unit apartment house before being purchased by Johnny and Sydney Deal in 2010.
Although conversion to apartments caused significant changes to the house, particularly the interior, a number of important features had been left intact. Aluminum siding hid the original pine clapboards. Tongue-and-groove ceilings in both the house and front porch survived as did the decorative bands of plain and sawtooth wood shakes in the front gable. All six original mantels were still in the house and in great condition. The doors and 4/4 sash windows were all original. Though heavily repaired, the porch columns were still doing their job. One decorative support bracket had managed to hold on as well; and, keeping everything dry, was the metal shake roof.
To undertake the rehabilitation, the Deal’s chose the same design-build team of G. Marie Designs and Leland Builders that had successfully rehabilitated 209 E. Chatham Street. Much of the first floor plan and almost all of the second floor plan is original. A modest rear addition contributed living space without compromising the house’s integrity. Reclaimed siding and brick from a nearby house, slated for demolition, was used for repairs and a seamless transition to the new addition. Hardwoods on the first floor were replaced due to termite damage; and, reclaimed pine from a cotton mill now graces the entire first floor. Many hours were spent scavenging old barns and salvage yards to match the special features that were still in the house. Lots of blood, sweat and tears went into handcrafting window parts, moldings, columns, and brackets to match the originals.
The Board of Directors of Capital Area Preservation, Inc. is pleased to present a 2012 Anthemion Award to Johnny & Sydney Deal, G. Marie Designs, Leland Builders, Inc., and The Home Center for the Residential Rehabilitation of the Harward House at 215 E. Chatham Street, Apex.