HISTORIC HOMES CAN SUCCESSFULLY EVOLVE to meet the needs of today’s lifestyles without sacrificing the architectural essence and character that make them worth preserving. Through thoughtful stewardship of the 1923 Spanish Eclectic Mayor Bard Residence, a contributing property in the Fort Stockton Line Historic District in Mission Hills, Greg Kelner has demonstrated how restoration and carefully designed additions can enhance a historic home while respecting its architectural integrity.
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Working with preservation architect Kim Grant, AIA, Greg accomplished a comprehensive restoration that rehabilitated the home's original stucco finish and architectural character yet thoughtfully distinguished new work from historic fabric. Original windows were restored whenever possible, historic roof tiles were carefully reused, and earlier alterations were refined. Now the house looks very much like it did in 1923.
Equally important, the project proves that new living space can be successfully incorporated into a historic property without overwhelming it or the neighborhood. Kim designed a second-story primary suite that is set back from the front of the house, minimizing its visibility from the street and maintaining the home's original scale and presence on the block. At the rear of Greg’s lot, a new detached garage with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) provides additional housing while remaining subordinate to the historic residence. Designed in a compatible Spanish style that is intentionally simplified, this added structure complements the historic home without attempting to imitate it.
Throughout the project, additions were clearly differentiated from the historic building while remaining harmonious in scale, materials, and design—an approach that reflects the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
By showing that historic homes can accommodate contemporary living through thoughtful, compatible design, Greg Kelner has preserved an important neighborhood resource while providing an outstanding example of how restoration, sensitive additions, and new housing can successfully coexist. This project serves as a model for San Diego homeowners considering improvements to historic properties and represents preservation at its best.
Project Team
Architect: Kim Grant Design, INC. | Contractor: Tony Parker General Builders
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