For the Residential Rehabilitation of 215 North Bloodworth Street, Raleigh
215 N. Bloodworth Street was built in 1903 as a single-family house. Over time the house had been divided into two apartments. Along with this conversion came changes to the original floor plan, the addition of drop ceilings, the installation of asbestos siding, and various other indignities damaging to the dwelling’s historic fabric.
Owners Karen Dawes and Mark George Lynch and contractor/carpenter Charles Parker, began with a careful interior restoration. The house was returned to a single unit by removing a wall that had divided the foyer. They also removed drop-panel ceilings exposing original picture rail. They renovated two bathrooms, restored doors, and refinished the original floors. They restored an original columned mantelpiece by rebuilding the ovemantel, replacing the mirror, and stripping layers of paint. A decorative tiled surround was uncovered and restored on another fireplace.
After Mr. Lynch’s death in 2009, Ms. Dawes and Mr. Parker undertook a thorough and top-quality exterior restoration. The 1950s-era asbestos shingle siding was removed, and the original yellow-pine shiplap siding was revealed and painted a vibrant shade of purple. Because the house sits up high and very close to the sidewalk, the porch foundation is a very prominent feature of the house. The 1950s-era concrete block infill between the brick porch piers was removed and replaced with finely crafted and historically appropriate wooden lattice screens.
The exterior was completed in April, 2010. As a result of Ms. Dawes’ and Mr. Parker’s fine work, 215 N. Bloodworth Street is restored to its beautiful historic appearance and structural integrity. The neighbors are all delighted with the improvement in the appearance and integrity of 215 N. Bloodworth Street and are looking forward to the house being featured on the 2010 Oakwood Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes.
The Board of Directors of Capital Area Preservation, Inc. is pleased to present a 2010 Anthemion Award to Karen Dawes and Mark George Lynch; and Charles Parker for the Residential Rehabilitation of 215 North Bloodworth Street, Raleigh.