Renovation and modern addition
Under the guidance of historian Margaret Clovis, and architect John Scourkes, member of the Monterey County Historic Resources Review Board, Guild Craft Builder had the privilege of renovating and updating a historic Queen Anne cottage in Monterey.
PHASE 1: In renovating the main house, we took particular care in maintaining the overall architectural character, while allowing for modern updates to utilites, energy efficiency, heating, and kitchen and bathroom improvements.
PHASE 2: Connected to the south side of the main house, a modern two-story wing was added comprising a sunroom, rooftop deck, and two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Additionally, three historically significant outbuildings were rehabilitated for use as laundry facilities, a home office, and a recreation space.
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
General Contractor
Guild Craft Builder
Design & Interiors
Guild Craft Builder
Architect
John N. Scourkes
Regional Historical Expert
Margaret E. Clovis
DISTINCT FEATURES
Retained all original channel rustic drop siding, trim and casing detail
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Restored gabled & hipped roof sections, eaves and facia boards
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Restored dormers, the hexagonal shingles and gable returns
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Releveled interior floors
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Fully upgraded electrical, gas, and water utilities; and heating system
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Preserved and restored original doors, windows, and hardware
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Preserved interior wood floors, wall panelling, and millwork
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Updated kitchen and bathrooms
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Wolf, Bosch and True kitchen appliances
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Integrated home automation includes lights, heating & cooling, window coverings, and audio & video.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Photos prior to renovation show the front of the house, the kitchen, attic bedroom, and wash house.
Building on a Heritage
A Handsome Cottage
The Frank Hellam House is named for a prominent Monterey family that has been important to the town for over a century.
Frank Woodhull Hellam Sr. was born in 1868 in Pontiac, Michigan, the son of John and Fannie Woodhull Hellam. After moving to Monterey around the turn of the century, Frank married Amelia Plapp and together they had seven children, Monty, Frank Jr., John, Frances, Anstice, Le Gray, and William R.C.
Frank and Amelia bought the lot on Scott Street in 1900 and according to local accounts at the time, began to build “a handsome cottage”. He moved a one-room, hipped-roof cottage from the Hotel Del Monte to the property, adding a front gabled section and kitchen at the same time. By 1912, the back porch had been altered with additions, though it is unknown when the dormer windows were added or when the attic area was converted to livable space. With Frank’s large family along with his father living in the house, the conversion was probably soon after 1905.
Excerpts from preservation reports by architectural historian Margaret E. Clovis, M.A., and the Old Town Neighborhood Association Historic Homes Walk
Old Bones. New Life.
The Frank Hellam House changed little in more than 120 years until 2023 when the main house was renovated—and a second construction phase in 2024 saw the addition of a modern wing to the south side of the house. Along with structural improvements, updates included utilities, energy efficiency, heating, and kitchen and bathroom updates.
Most importantly, the character and historic architectural details of the original house were maintained including the rehabilitation of three historic outbuildings.
