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Sweenor Builders, Inc. is pleased to announce the start of a significant historic preservation project in the heart of Narragansett’s Pier neighborhood, just steps from the white sands of Narragansett Beach.
The focus of the project is a Queen Anne Victorian home originally built in 1887 when Narragansett first surged in popularity as a summer resort. More than a century later, and after having been abandoned for a few years, the home sits prominently along one of Narragansett’s main thoroughfares in severely poor condition.
Preserving as much historic architectural value and charm as possible, award-winning local firm Sweenor Builders will lead a sweeping restoration of the home to address rot, deterioration, and structural damage. The project is being completed to meet Narragansett Historic District Commission guidelines, and its’ story will be chronicled on the 42nd season of This Old House TV.
“This is a unique opportunity for us to fuse craftsmanship, modern utility, and neighborhood revitalization in one project,” shares Jeff Sweenor, President and CEO. “Our team is deeply vested in creating a vibrant village in Narragansett, and we look forward to continuing our working relationships with the teams at This Old House and the Narragansett Historic District Commission to make a positive impact in one of our favorite neighborhoods.”
Lila Delman, an independently owned specialty brokerage in Narragansett, listed the property. Dan Harding, a leading sales associate at the firm, was instrumental to finding new buyers who shared a vision to preserve the home.
The updated design from Sweenor maintains period architectural details such as decorative columns and brackets, sawtooth and fishscale shingles, eyebrow siding details, a “rising sun” patterned clapboard gable, and more. It also preserves windows, improves the foundation and footings, addresses the deteriorating porch and rotting roof, and introduces a new addition which includes a two-car garage and mudroom on the first floor, and master suite on the second floor, to match the existing structure without overpowering it.
The Sweenor team has other prominent Narragansett restoration projects under its belt including the renovation of Stone Lea, the 1884 Ocean Road home designated on the National Registry of Historic Places. and designed by famed architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White. In 2019, the firm was honored during the Narragansett Historic District Commission’s inaugural award ceremony for its’ reimagination of four declining properties on Caswell Street.
This is the fifth time that Sweenor’s work will be featured on This Old House, and the second time while working in Narragansett. Previous projects that have been documented by the home enthusiast brand include Sweenor’s transformation of a Westerly ranch home in 2019, a net zero renovation in Jamestown in 2018, and the 2017 and 2018 This Old House Idea Houses in East Matunuck and Narragansett, respectively.
About Sweenor Builders
Based in coastal Rhode Island, Sweenor Builders Incorporated is an award-winning and nationally recognized custom homebuilder. The firm’s portfolio features a full range of in-house design/build and interior design services. Founded in 1989, the company has become one of Southern Rhode Island’s most sought-after builders thanks to the guiding principles of its President and CEO Jeff Sweenor. He surrounds himself with craftsman who share his passion for delivering rewarding client experiences, and quality homes that last for generations.
About the Narragansett Historic District Commission
The Narragansett Historic District Commission was created to help develop an ordinance and associated policies focused on the preservation of structures of historic and architectural value. The Historic District Commission works to regulate the construction, alteration, rehabilitation, repair, moving, and demolition of such structures. The goal of the Commission is to help safeguard the heritage of the Town by preserving districts and structures which reflect elements of the Town’s cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history. Historic District Commission members also serve as House Doctor Consultants, a panel of historic construction experts providing free consultations on renovations, restorations, or repairs.
About This Old House Ventures, LLC
This Old House Ventures, LLC, is America’s No. 1 multiplatform home-enthusiast brand, providing trusted information and expert advice through its award-winning television shows, This Old House and Ask This Old House, its highly regarded This Old House magazine, and its inspiration- and information-driven digital properties, including thisoldhouse.com. This Old House and Ask This Old House are produced by This Old House Ventures, LLC, and are presented on PBS by WGBH Boston. National underwriting for This Old House TV is provided by GMC, The Home Depot, State Farm Insurance Company, Marvin Windows & Doors, Gorilla Glue, HomeAdvisor, Festool, and HomeServe USA. Established as This Old House Ventures, LLC, the company is headquartered in Stamford, CT, with offices in New York, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Toronto, and Concord, MA.
As a resident of the Pier and a lover of older homes I’m beyond thrilled for this project. I’m drawn to this home so I’ve been photographing it since last summer and inquired about it myself. Having been through a few total renovations I knew The project was too large for me at this time.
The exterior details are spectacular and the home has great bones. I would like to find some photos of the home in its early years. I’m confident that Sweenor’s and This Old House will bring her back to her former glory.