46 BELLPORT LN.
46 Bellport Lane, is a development attempt to fulfill the responsibilities of existing in the Historic district, preserve the Architectural record, and to provide all the modern amenities desired by the urban consumer.
Modus Operendi
A brooklyn Developer originally brought Jeremiah McGiff in to restore the historic windows, eventually to run the entire project. The premise of the project was that historic preservation has more value than a modern renovation
MASONRY
the Old foundation was repaired and pointed where necessary, the 2 stoops at the front and at the south are new, using tumbled brick. the fireplace is a new Rumford fireplace
STRUCTURAL
The House was gutted, so it could be properly insulated, ruffed out for electric and plumbing, and to have the structural members installed. Headers were installed over every window, and girders installed over big open spans. the I-beams in the 1st floor great room were reinforced to 3 times their original load.
MODERN AMENITIES
For the comforts of modern life, the 3&1/2 baths were newly renovated, as well as the kitchen, new cabinets and countertops, and gently used top of the line appliances. A new Peerless oil boiler, and Oil Bock hot water heater, were installed as well as a new 250 gallon oil tank. A 7 zone Fujitsu HVAC system was installed with a electric heat capacity, and lastly a new 400 amp service was installed, with more than sufficient juice for any further renovation.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
THE SMITH HOUSE 1836
On the original deed the first owners were a William and Jane Smith in 1836, the house was an originally a classic Saltbox, 4 lower windows and central entryway, with three Garrison windows above, we uncovered the original siding, a vertical 12" tongue and groove board with a bead, it still had the original Blue paint. The dormers were Put in probably in the 1860s, and the Additions began in the back, moved to the north, and lastly the Screened in porch in the rear. The original Portico profile was discovered when repairing the siding, as well as the clapboard siding, under the shingles
THE ORIGINAL WINDOWS
180 years old, and restored to last for another 150
The Windows were a challenge, there were no weights or chains in all but 8 windows, the sashes were held by a spring loaded pin. We had to create chambers for the weights, fit wheels and provide weights. The sashes; frames and moldings inside and out were taken down to bare wood, repaired, and then painted with 4 coats of semi-gloss oil; the windows were put back in and reglazed, and broken pane were replaced with old glass. To make them energy efficient, the bronze weatherstrip was fit to both the top and bottom sash, and all the hardware was stripped and painted.
THE PORTICO
A simple walk
As I have done with other projects in Bellport, I walked the lane. We had the dimensions of the roof line, and even the molding profile, but the design was up to what the lane provided. there are many varied architectural types along the lane, each with its own peculiarities, my favorite was at number 38, it was a broken pediment, and I thought it was the prettiest, I believe I was Right.
THE SIDING; CORNER POSTS; KICKS AND ENTRYWAY MOLDINGS
Appreciation of the existing detail with a flourish
Under the Cedar shake was discovered clapboard siding, probably from 1870 ( there is writing on the original vertical siding stating 1868), about 1/3 of the siding could be restored and painted with 4 coats of oil, we milled 2000lft of doug fur bevelled siding to match the original. It too is painted as described. there was one corner post with the distinctive bead left on the house, we milled a duplicate in mahogany, and mounted them everywhere else on the house. The bottom kicks are replicas in mahogany, and capped in copper. The Flourish are the elaborate moldings at the front; side, and rear screened porch, They are typical in Bellport
