Can a small historic home be made significantly larger while maintaining it’s original character and charm? This was the question presented to Riverbank and architect Ron Wilde with this project.

In this case, local historic guidelines insisted that the original structure be preserved, and any added forms be complimentary in scale and form. The resulting design is one that captures the owner’s functional desires while keeping the historic structure front-and-center. Guests are better accommodated by a re-positioned entry and large entertaining spaces. More private bedroom and living spaces provide an enclave for this family of seven. An elevated patio and comfortable screened porch extend the living space to the outdoors and lend views to the entire back yard.

Something old and something new…it’s all captured beautifully in this home.

When this house was acquired, it was both an eyesore and a health hazard. Like many projects undertaken by Riverbank, this one delivered challenges from years of neglect. Although well-known proponents of restoration, Riverbank was unable to utilize the existing structure due to its poor condition. While making the decision to build new, Riverbank thoughtfully considered the scale and appearance of what was a part of the neighborhood for over 70 years. Riverbank’s talented design team took on the challenge of designing a larger, more functional family home with nearly the same footprint of what was originally present. The material selections and overall form also create a subtle resemblance of the old in the new.

This detached office studio was such a fun project for the Riverbank team.  It was a privilege to partner with talented architects and delightful clients to bring this extraordinary structure to life.  Despite being only steps away from the main house, the studio provides a sense of escape from the commotion of urban life. The roof assembly was the most challenging aspect of construction but made for the most defining characteristic.  Although the interior is simply organized, vibrant colors and unique finishes create a truly exciting space.  Work will never again be a grind in this creative enclave!

This property in Chapel Hill was an amazing canvas primed to create the homeowners vision as designed by Linton, Architects out of Durham.  Our clients envisioned this project with two primary objectives: entertainment and hospitality. The first, being entertainment, was accomplished by crafting an expansive outdoor living space aptly located on the rooftop. This new space multiplied their capacity for entertainment, blending in with the previous outdoor courtyard via a spiral staircase. With a sleek yet rustic ambiance, this rejuvenation of a bland component of their home brought forth elements of adventure and relaxation for their entertaining purposes. The project also included a full dwelling unit, fulfilling a desire to boost their potential for hospitality. This guest space was outfitted with everything necessary for visitors to make themselves at home: a sleeping and living area, a full kitchen, laundry and bath. Now having their own accessory living space, our clients have the ability to host friends and family for extended stays while maintaining their own privacy, giving their guests the same.

This large addition and renovation was something the homeowners had been planning for years. Their idea book was packed with images of products and spaces that they loved. Architect, Ron Wilde, wove those ideas into a completely custom addition that includes a new kitchen, family room and master suite. Elements like the huge vaulted ceiling and stone fireplace welcome you into the open common spaces. A beautiful new vestibule space is the perfect transition to the cozy master suite with spa-like bathroom. Outdoor living space was also a priority and the new screened-in porch, complete with wood-burning fireplace, flows from the new family room and kitchen. Completely updated infrastructure and crisp new finishes are now throughout the entire home while details of reclaimed materials like the wood mantle, repurposed sliding doors and section of original exterior brick are pleasant reminders of the history of the home.

Over the past decade, this home was affectionately referred to as the “haunted house” by neighbors. The unusual shape coupled with the peeling paint and cloak of vines gave the property a very ominous presence. Years of neglect led to extensive issues with the main structure and interior finishes. The interior was stripped to the studs with all of the trim and architectural details being removed, labeled, and restored for re-installation. The salvageable cedar siding was stripped of paint with approximately 16,000 pieces having to be replaced. The entire structure was stabilized and totally redone to include modern amenities hidden among the original details. All of the original windows and doors were fully restored. Additional finished space was added by enclosing the original two-tiered back porch. The home’s clean and inviting elevation now appears a far cry from its gloomy, not-so-distant past.

This project on Virginia Avenue is the epitome of a total transformation. Our clients loved their neighborhood but were quickly outgrowing their single story cottage. The answer: a creative design that added significant space while preserving the charm of the original home. Almost the entire roof was removed to allow for the creation of second story space that incorporates two bedrooms, a full bathroom and bonus room. The new floor space is maximized within a new roof line that is architecturally interesting and carefully maintains a similar scale and mass to that of the original home. The main floor is completely renovated to create an open floor plan with beautiful kitchen, spacious mudroom and master suite. Infrastructure such as plumbing, mechanical and electrical were all completely updated as part of the comprehensive modernization. Contrary to typical design, the new screen porch is located on the front of the house and provides the perfect connection from the spacious front yard to the entertaining space on the main floor. Significant site grading behind the house turned a steep bank into new carport and storage room that provides easy entry into the home. This completed project provides the owners with a comfortable home to raise their family in a neighborhood that they already know and love. The only result greater than the beautiful finished product is the friendships created through the process.

1102 and 1104 Ninth Street are among the last of a dying breed: multi-family properties with charm. These duplexes have housed countless tenants through the years but had gradually fallen into severe disrepair. The previous owner’s attempt at a “vinyl face-lift” was quickly thwarted by the Historic Preservation Commission. This allowed us the opportunity to step in and properly restore these prominently located historic rental properties. The rehabilitation was comprehensive but the floor plan stayed much the same.We were able to open up the kitchen, dining areas and carve out a mudroom and half bath on the main floor. No surface was left untouched as both buildings were meticulously transformed. The resulting 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath units were quickly occupied and prove that even rental properties can be beautiful and are worth saving.

This project was re-built on a relationship that began with out-of-town clients who were in search of the right home in Durham. For a couple planning to retire near family, there was a need for open, flexible space to accommodate grandkids and overnight guests. Seeing the potential in this neglected property, Riverbank presented the house along with a custom design that spoke to the specific needs of the client. A new partnership was then formed as the clients put their faith in Riverbank’s vision and commitment to service. The design of this project was a balancing act between preservation and progress. The historic characteristics of the original structure were sensibly restored as the overall appearance was updated and the livable square footage nearly doubled. The home is now a charming setting for our clients’ new life in North Carolina.

As with most properties that sit empty for an extended period of time, this home had issues throughout. The historic district limitations made it a challenge for architect Bret Horton to create a comfortable three bedroom, 2 bath home while maintaining the scale and massing of the structure. The result was a clever design that preserved much of the original layout and captured a master suite in a seamless addition. The comprehensive renovation evolved into repair and/or replacement of basically every element as peeling back the layers revealed the extent of neglect. The entire original floor system had to be replaced and all internal systems were updated. Fun new interior finishes compliment the numerous restored elements of the original home. The structure and community now benefit from this transformed and occupied property.

Unlike most of our projects, this home in Trinity Park had been well maintained and didn’t require much improvement to the existing space. The need was simply more space. What draftsman, Manny Aretakis, and designer, Fletcher Wilson, created is a two story addition that flows seamlessly from the original bungalow. The new space is full of custom details and provides space for a living room, master suite, laundry, stairwell, office, mudroom and breathtaking porch at the rear of the house. The porch room is a fully conditioned space complete with a dining area, full masonry fireplace, wet bar, stained wood ceiling made from recovered sunken cypress and walls of casement windows that, when open, offer the full porch experience. All materials, colors and finishes were painstakingly selected by the homeowner and designer to compliment the original home while offering a sophisticated and comfortable interior. The finished product is a home that has all its original charm and twice the space.

This unique property boasts a history that earns it the distinction of a Local Historic Landmark. Originally constructed as faculty housing on the campus of Trinity College in 1891, the home was eventually moved in the 1930’s to make way for further development of what is now Duke University. The most recent decades have not been kind to this structure as rental tenants and minimal maintenance resulted in glaring deficiencies. The new owners committed to going well beyond addressing the basic necessities as they created a plan that included a complete historic renovation of the existing structure, a substantial rear addition, excavation of a full basement and a new carriage house garage and office. Throughout the scope of the project, from replacement of the existing foundation to painstaking restoration of the front porch originally gifted by Washington Duke, every square inch of the house was repaired, restored or replaced. The result is a breathtakingly beautiful home that retains the essence of the 1891 structure but offers the space and amenities that we’ve come to expect 125 years later.