ARC approves rear addition at Hyde Park craftsman home with a beadboard soffit condition

The City of Tampa Architectural Review Commission unanimously granted a certificate of appropriateness on Dec. 3 for a rear‑corner addition and site improvements at 1805 West Richardson Place in the Hyde Park Historic District.

Staff and the applicant portrayed the project as a sensitive adaptation: the primary 1923 craftsman dwelling will retain its front wraparound porch and masonry character while the addition, located at the rear corner, was designed with subtle differences (an 8‑inch siding exposure versus the existing 6‑inch exposure, slightly reduced column proportions, and matching wood windows) to make the new work legible but compatible with the historic fabric. The applicant told commissioners the house’s footprint would grow from about 2,000 square feet to roughly 3,500 square feet; site changes include a permeable‑paver driveway, a new metal gate, and modest tree work.

Historic Preservation staff reported that on review (11/11/2025) the application met Hyde Park design guidelines and Secretary of the Interior standards for retention of material and features, and that the addition’s massing, roof forms, facade proportions and window patterns were compatible with the district. Commissioners’ questions focused on soffit treatment, the location of mechanical equipment, and tree removal; the applicant confirmed use of wood siding and wood windows and agreed to provide a soffit/beadboard detail.

A motion granting final approval carried unanimously with the single condition that the project include a detailed beadboard soffit to match the existing historic soffits. The commission then received and filed submitted documents and exhibits and adjourned the hearing.

The project is approved to proceed subject to the recorded condition; the applicant will update final construction drawings to include the soffit detail for permit review.