Award of Excellence, Other $200,000 to $400,000
When Ron Hogg contacted ALC Contractors to build a two-story addition and restore the exterior of his historic Victorian-style home in Ellicott City, he had one goal in mind: “He wanted to bring the house back to life,” says Andrew Lohmeyer, ALC owner.
Four generations of the Hogg family have lived in the home, which was built in 1912. At times, Hogg also used the home for his law office. But it needed some updates, including a new kitchen, roof and cedar-shingle siding. Hogg also wanted to add a master suite and bathroom on the new second level, as well as a morning room on the first floor, to increase living space.
Using a plan by architecture firm Lehman Associates PC, Manchester-based ALC Contractors added more than 1,000 square feet to the house.
On the first floor at the back of the house, ALC crews demolished the “cracker box” 8-by-10-foot kitchen, Lohmeyer says. In its place, Lohmeyer and his team built a larger kitchen, complete with granite counters and cabinets made from Lyptus — a sustainable wood and hybrid of the eucalyptus plant.
The new second-floor master suite includes a fireplace, a Carrara marble bathroom and a clawfoot tub evocative of the early 20th century.
Lohmeyer also matched all fluted casing molding to that of the original structure.
“We wanted to keep it in period,” Lohmeyer says. “It was important that it didn’t look like an add-on.”
The project had its share of challenges, including lead paint that needed abatement and termite damage to several support beams. Still, the final product exceeded the family’s expectations, says Hogg’s wife, Joanne.
“[Lohmeyer] did such a remarkable job,” she says. “He acted as if it was his own house that he was restoring for himself. The family loves it.”