Exterior Rehabilitation Award
Presented for the most impressive exterior restoration project in Old Town each year. Criteria: The degree and quality of improvement from the “before” to the “after” stage of the project is the primary consideration. Appropriate adherence to the US Department of the Interior restoration standards will also be a factor in selecting the recipient. If the project also involves the conversion of an Old Town residence to single-family use from commercial or multi-unit rental, this will positively impact the selection process. Support of local suppliers and contractors may be a positive factor in the selection process.
2015 Winner
Awarded to Randy and Kathy Tomes
1440 Logan Street
Early in 2015, Randy and Kathy Tomes decided to move their 3 children from one of Noblesville’s ubiquitous subdivisions to historic Old Town. They were ready for compelling architecture and a walkable community for their children.
What they found was 1440 Logan Street. The home had been empty for 5 years, had no working plumbing or operating heating and cooling system, and had a half-finished second floor renovation. It was utterly uninhabitable and looked uninspiring to many buyers—not a renovation project for the faint of heart. But Randy, with his irrepressible enthusiasm and Kathy, with a keen artist’s eye, both saw beyond the surface and imagined how beautiful the home could be and how happy their family could be there. So they said goodbye to Oakmont, with it’s vinyl siding, winding streets, and neighborhood pool and decided to go all-in on brick-lined Logan Street.
1440 Logan’s original structure was likely built circa-1870, with barn-sized sill plates and timber frame construction. The style of that original home is unknown. In the early twentieth century, it was renovated as a bungalow with a long, sloping roof and a broad porch whose foundation sits, literally, right up against the sidewalk. The Tomes took cues from the bungalow design, adding architecturally-appropriate dormers facing both north and south and new textured siding on the gable ends. They rebuilt the upstairs into multiple bedrooms, laundry room, and a full bath—outfitting all with appropriate woodwork and salvaged 1920s doors. This winter, the final brick touches on the front porch foundation were finished. What had been an eyesore a year earlier was turning heads and had the neighborhood applauding.
Randy and Kathy are a special breed of old house owner, the kind who have been reviving Old Town neighborhoods and reclaiming its neglected architecture. Kudos to the Tomes family for their vision and hard work.
2013 Winner
Awarded to Michael and Christine Byrne
1320 N. Allisonville Road
The work the Byrnes have completed on this 1892 Neo-Jacobean home in the Gentleman Farmer's district proves them to be true caretakers of this beautiful home.
The work they have done will preserve the home for future generations. And the great news is that they aren’t even finished with exterior projects. Great job and good luck!
More on the rehab, in Christine’s words:
“We planned to just do a little tuck-pointing, but like most restoration projects, things kind of snowballed along the way. After a thorough inspection, it was determined that all three chimneys needed to be completely torn down to prevent them from toppling in a storm. They were rebuilt using old bricks handcut to fit and new limestone caps. Rebuilding allowed us to return the decorative Victorian-era profile, previously stripped from the third chimney. Spalling bricks on the south elevation were removed and replaced with bricks hand-cut to size. The original red mortar was returned to the decorative elements that were hidden in a poorly executed previous renovation job. Two cracked limestone sills were replaced and the bowed walls under each one were carefully removed and rebuilt. Portions of the stone foundation under the porch were reconstructed—and then we finally got to that tuck-pointing we originally started out to do. We are happy to report that, since the restoration, we have had no more raccoons enter the master bedroom via the fireplace, so all the extra effort and expense was probably worth it.”
2012 Winner
Mark and Teresa Skipper
Mustard Seed Gardens
77 Metsker Lane
Mustard Seed Gardens was established in November 2009 at the former Lazy Acres Antique Barn on State Road 32 west of downtown Noblesville.
The original plan was to use the grounds to showcase a landscaping business and to operate a retail Garden Center in the little cottage between the house and barn. The grounds were
drastically improved by upgrading and expanding all of the landscaping.
The Garden Center opened in the spring of 2010, but the most exciting addition was the Outdoor Weddings and Barn Receptions. With the popularity of “barn” weddings and
receptions, the barn was restored to the near-original condition. Originally on 8th Street, the barn was taken down piece by piece in 1892, carried by horse and buggy across the White River and reassembled at its current location.
Plans are to continue the dramatic improvements to the property, including the Olde Barn and the Metsker House. The Metsker House retains its original “Italianate” style and will be restored to the original condition, including the addition of a full length porch on the front of the house that had been removed. The NPA is excited by the many opportunities that the future holds for the Skippers and Mustard Seed Gardens, especially with their sensitivity to maintaining a strong “residential” appearance to the property
2011 Winner
Hamilton County Area Neighbor Development (HAND)
For the Roper Lots on South 8th Street
Housed within the two buildings of the Roper Lofts are eight affordable, one bedroom apartments and two office suites, one of which is the home of HAND. The finished buildings are a result of a perfect synergy between funding source and rehabilitation.
Prior Winners
2009 Award Winner
No Award Provided
2008 Award Winner
Doug & Mary Beth Morrison
1105 N. 10th Street
2007 Award Winner
No Award Provided
2006 Award Winner
Rob & Jeanne Lawson
812 N. 10th Street
2005 Award Winner
Dan & Patty MacInnis Exterior Rehab - Community Bank
Mike Sweitzer Exterior Rehab - Chrokee Lodge
Steve Harrison Exterior Rehab - Cherokee Lodge
