This charming Tudor-style home, located in the historic Harvard-Yale area of Salt Lake City, was originally built in 1926. As a custom home builder, our goal was to blend preservation with modern functionality.
The homeowner was committed to maintaining the original character of the house, particularly the foundation and core structure. They were also determined to preserve the architectural integrity of the front and side elevations, ensuring that the exterior remained true to the home’s 1926 design. This meant retaining the historical proportions, materials, and details while allowing for subtle modern upgrades in less prominent areas.
Part of this preservation effort included restoring original features like the fireplace and mantel, window openings, as well as cleaning and repairing the exterior brickwork, carefully matching the mortar to its original period. As part of the home remodel, the old lath and plaster walls were removed and replaced by 2×4 studs. Along with this, the outdated cloth electrical wiring was carefully removed and replaced with an updated electrical system. The old cast iron plumbing and ceramic sewer laterals were replaced, ensuring the home’s infrastructure was up to current standards without compromising its historical integrity.
The basement, which originally had 7-foot-6-inch ceilings, needed more headroom. We removed the existing concrete floor, dug it deeper, and installed new footings to support the taller space.
Additionally, the homeowner wanted a significant home addition, expanding the rear of the house by 3,000 square feet. To integrate this new space, we cut the old footings flush with the foundation wall, reinforced the structure with rebar, new footings, and built a new foundation wall, extending it 2 inches deeper than the original basement. We reinforced the original structure with steel beams, posts, and collar ties to ensure lasting stability. New 2×4 studs were framed against the exterior, and we applied 1.5 inches of spray foam insulation to create an airtight seal.
This, combined with a kitchen remodel and other modern updates, allowed us to modernize the home while preserving its historic charm.
To follow the progress of this home remodel, click here.
