Neighborhood Home Wins Historic Preservation Award

On July 25th, at the Cleveland Restoration Society’s annual meeting and preservation awards, held at the Hanna Theater, neighborhood residents Kurt and Sarah Gyorki received a 2007 Cleveland Restoration Society Preservation Project Award for the work they have done on their Canterbury Road home.

Their home, originally built by The Realty Trust Co. around 1910, was part of the Beachland development, primarily composed of summer homes, which was accessible from the Shore Line Electric Trolley. Beachland was originally advertised as an idyllic garden community, free of smoke and other nuisances created by the manufacturing districts of the city, and an ideal place to raise children. The development consisted of what are now Canterbury Road, Cornwall Road, Landseer Road, Windward Road, Abby Avenue, and part of East 185th Street. Today, the Gyorkis still find the neighborhood an ideal one to live, work, and to raise their children.

The award winning project consisted of removing the aluminum siding, which uncovered shingle siding, original window casings, and trim details. The windows were rehabilitated instead of being replaced and many exhibit their near century old float glass, known for its wavy appearance. The older three-tab brown asphalt shingle roof was then replaced with a 40-year dimensional shingle that approximates the look of cedar. An addition with matching shingle siding was constructed, giving the home a spacious family room, laundry room, full bath, and a basement. A kitchen remodeling made the project complete.

To make their project happen, the Gyorkis utilized one of the Cleveland Restoration Society’s Heritage Home Program loans that are made available throughout Ward 11 with the support of Councilman Michael Polensek. The Heritage Home Program loan is a 3.5% APR, 10-year mortgage loan for home repair and restoration projects. To be eligible for the loan, a house must have been built prior to 1958 and retain character-defining elements such as the original cladding and wood or steel windows. To find out if your home is eligible, or to take advantage of the Cleveland Restoration Society’s free technical assistance, call them at 216-426-3116, or visit www.clevelandrestoration.org