Strobel Design Build President Mark Zdrojewski is a prominent figure in local St. Petersburg home building and remodeling and is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and also serves as a Chairman of the Education Committee. Around 80 percent of the team members at Strobel Design Build have at least one national certification and combined the entire team has around 120 years of design build experience. 

Historic renovations are the projects that got Strobel Design Build started over 30 years ago. Bringing a home back to life and adding modern functionality is one of the most satisfying projects our team can work on. 

At Strobel Design Build, we believe the right way to complete a historic renovation is to conduct research. This way, you will have a better understanding of how to implement historical elements in your home remodeling project once the renovation begins. When we take on your historic renovation, we will make sure to preserve the historic elements that give your home its charm, while working to add modern functionality.

Some of the most common updates that we have found with historic renovation projects are to the heating, plumbing, insulation, and electricity. While these updates are not visible, they can make a big difference in how comfortable your home will be after the renovation is completed.

Making your historic home modern does not mean giving up on its charm. The team at Strobel Design Build will work with you to bring your historic living space into the modern age and add a feeling of luxury and functionality.

If you are looking for a design build firm for your historic renovation in the St. Petersburg, FL area, look no further than Strobel Design Build. Our expert design and construction team will provide luxury home remodeling solutions for your historic renovation. Contact Strobel Design Build today to schedule a consultation for your historical renovation project.

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We were able to combine these two loves while renovating the Morgan house, a unique project that combined the homeowner’s imagination and universal design. The goal with this home was to create the look of a historic bungalow while utilizing modern, low-maintenance building materials. We were able to match the style of their previous 1920s bungalow with details such as the corbels and paneling. Inside, we implemented universal design techniques throughout the home, creating a beautiful space that allows the homeowners the ability to maneuver throughout the home with ease in the years to come.

The front porch area typically gives the first impression of your home. Therefore, we want to meet your needs, without sacrificing your home’s aesthetic. We recommend eliminating front steps and building a wide sidewalk leading up to your front door instead. Ramped pathways and curb cuts prevent tripping and help those in wheelchairs easily approach the front and back doors. A power-assisted door is beneficial for many scenarios as well, such as when your hands are full with heavy items and you cannot open the front door on your own.

It’s important to expand bathroom space when incorporating universal design into your home. Although bathrooms are typically a smaller space in a home, the general rule of thumb is to provide 5 feet of open floor space. This allows those in wheelchairs to make a 180-degree turn. In addition, adding bathroom bar grips, shower benches and handheld shower heads make bathtub and shower spaces accessible for all. To avoiding slipping and tripping, we suggest implementing curbless showers and textured flooring. If you’re worried about losing the attractiveness of your home because of these adjustments, don’t fret. Universal design is not only practical, but also luxurious and aesthetically pleasing when done correctly.

If you enjoy food as much as we do, you probably spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Universal design can help keep all of your utensils and ingredients close by while you’re cooking. Creating extra work spaces and countertops allow for maximum accessibility. Keeping the kitchen well lit with open spacing and open cabinets will help with organization, while adding extra drawers will help with storage. Universally designed kitchens have a very modernized look to them, which will be a great addition to your beloved home. As you can see with the Morgan house, we were also able to give them an open floor plan that will keep with the historic bungalow feel while also allowing them to move throughout the home easily.

At Strobel Design Build, we want you to feel both comfortable and safe in your home as your needs change. Call us at 727-321-5588 to schedule an appointment or email designer@strobeldesignbuild.com for more information on how to universally design your next home!

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Now here’s a rundown of what our expert team tackled during the yearlong project.

The historic home was was built in 1920 as a rehabilitation facility for World War II soldiers, and has undergone some renovations during its lifespan. However, due to its expansive size, many of its previous owners have not wanted to undertake major renovations. Our client who recently bought the home, indicated his goal was to “make the home last another 100 years.” The owner did not want to tear down the home entirely because of its unique history and beauty which meant a lot of dedication and time would be needed for this three-story masterpiece.

The project started off with the difficult task of cutting into the 96 year-old walls in order for re-piping the outdated plumbing and wiring new electrical. This followed with rebuilding, sanding, and painting all 8,700 square inches of the property inside and out, while keeping in mind our clients other wish to make rooms “art friendly” and brighter.

The next mission was to renovate the 55 windows, 15 patio doors, and the overall exterior of the house. The old windows and doors were replaced with impact-resistant Kolbe products, allowing for higher safety with potential Florida storms and decreasing AC loss from the home.

Since our client wanted a to preserve the home’s original look while making it more durable, we fastened rot free AZEK cellular trim boards to the current structure. We also built an AZEK deck above the flat roof giving the home a new great place for additional entertainment.
All six of the home’s bathrooms were completely renovated with a period tile design giving a cleaner, yet modern touch. To ensure unity throughout all the bathrooms, as would have been done in its original state, we used the same tile accents, plumbing fixtures, and cabinets. To improve the structures of the showers, all tiling within was coated with a Hydro-ban waterproof base.

For the master suite, the outdated shower was transformed into a curb-less shower with a linear “tile in” drain which helped make the space feel more open.

By moving the location of the interior doors and adding more light fixtures to each room, we could achieve our client’s need for art friendly space. The open space allows for the homeowner to display art without feeling cluttered.

As expected with historic home renovations, unexpected obstacles always arise. However, we overcame the challenges and were able to transform this property into a state-of-the-art home without losing its charm. We are beyond proud to say we were a part of this challenging project and even more proud to be recognized by NARI for our work. Most importantly, our client was overjoyed by the outcome and is excited to use the newly renovated space to entertain guests or to simply relax.

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As St. Petersburg continues to grow and gain more and more recognition, it is always nice to remember where it all began. There are many characteristics that make St. Petersburg what it is today, but one of our favorite aspects at Strobel Design Build of the Sunshine City is its unique historic neighborhoods. For over 30 years Strobel Design Build has been building, renovating, and restoring homes in the Tampa Bay area. In this blog we will take a look at the Historic Old Northeast.

The Old Northeast, formally known as North Shore, was the first established neighborhood in St. Petersburg. Located just north of downtown St. Petersburg, Old Northeast offers the perfect location for just about anyone’s needs. This neighborhood was originally covered with pine trees, sand flats, and several streams and ponds. The area slowly transformed from an agricultural and farmland area into a residential neighborhood. Some consider it as one of our city’s most desirable neighborhoods.

Most of the homes in the Old Northeast are American style-homes with window and wood wall paneling. When driving around, you can spot many seasonal decorations and families enjoying the porches and outdoor living spaces. There are brick streets and picket fences with lush foliage surrounding almost every house.

A 2001 article from the Tampa Bay Times perfectly described the Old Northeast: “If the heart of St. Petersburg is its downtown, the city’s soul probably resides in the North Shore area. It was there, in the section now called Old Northeast, that St. Petersburg blossomed from a village of farmers’ homesteads to a town born of boom-time prosperity. It thrives still, having the oldest and perhaps most influential neighborhood association in the city. Real estate values, even in some of the lower-income pockets, continue to rise. Most of St. Petersburg’s movers and shakers have lived at one time or another in a North Shore neighborhood…”

We have been privileged to restore homes within the Old Northeast and other historic neighborhoods within the community. Whether it is a Mediterranean style home or a Bungalow style home, the Strobel Design Build team has the knowledge and expertise to restore your historic home to its former glory, or renovate it with updated trends.

In 2015, we so proudly received a NARI Contractor of the Year Award (CotY) for Residential Historical Restoration on the Old Northeast home displayed below. The Strobel Design Build team extended the back of the home, renovated the kitchen, wet bar, and bathroom.

Extension on back of home. James Hardie siding and beadboard soffit to match the original exterior.

Full kitchen remodel.

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