[Preservation] Golden Hammers Winners Announced, Sept. 28

[Jennie Dotts]

A.C.O.R.N. AWARDS "GOLDEN HAMMERS" FOR BEST BUILDING RENOVATIONS AND INFILL CONSTRUCTION
(Richmond, VA)      At its annual Golden Hammer Awards honoring excellence in preservation and renovation on September 28th, the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods (A.C.O.R.N.) announced the winners in the categories of Best Residential Renovation, Best Commercial Renovation and Best Infill.   They are:

  a.. Best Residential Renovation
Winner:                Atlantic Crest Co., 

For:                        The Peay House, 500 North 29th

                                (Matthew Elmes, owner/contractor)

The Peay House, a Greek Revival style house built in 1860, was in a state of collapse when Matthew Elmes purchased it through A.C.O.R.N.'s Property Options program several years ago.  The City of Richmond had cited the former owner for building code violations, which included a crumbling exterior.  The house was meticulously renovated according to the Secretary of Interior Standards in order to qualify for Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits.  It remains a single-family residence.

  a.. Best Commercial Renovation
Winner:                 Sauer's Properties, Inc.

                For:                        Atlantic Motors Building, 1840 West Broad Street

                                                (Commonwealth Architects; Trent Co., contractor)

                The Atlantic Motors Building at Hermitage and West Broad Street was originally built as an automobile showroom.  Over the decades it served as a commercial laundry, an electric appliance dealership and a popular t-shirt graphics company called "The Dirt Shirt."  After a period of vacancy, it was renovated this year by Sauer's Properties for commercial office space, whose primary tenant is BCWH Architects.  Designed to fit a prominent, oblique corner at Hermitage and Broad streets, the building was carefully renovated as a Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit project.  

  a.. Best Infill
Winner:                Stevel Love and Neal Gorman             

For:                        1912 East Broad Street    

                                (Bill Lafoon, architect; Haley Builders, contractor)

Located in a City Old and Historic District, this new building was designed to house a specialized  insurance agency.  The architect took his design cues from three Italianate row houses on the site, which were demolished by the City of Richmond in 1995.  Historically sensitive architectural details include a brick and cast stone façade, metal roof, sills and lintels, double-hung windows and turret.  

Dr. Mort Gulak chaired the Golden Hammer Judging Panel, which included: 

Thomas Asch, Matthew Bolster, Bryan Green, 'Nita Parry, and Camden Whitehead.  A.C.O.R.N. initiated the Golden Hammer Awards seven years ago.  This year's event was held in the newly renovated Bankuet Place, the former Mechanics and Merchants Bank built in 1912 at 1129 Hull Street.



Jennie Dotts, Executive Director
Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods
1307-A East Cary Street
Richmond, VA  23219
804.422.2148
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