2257 Ernest Street

Description

This restored bungalow in historic Riverside offers a rare opportunity to steward a home that has been held by the same family for four generations. This is the first time it has ever been offered to the public. Over the past eleven years, the current owner has completed a comprehensive restoration, taking the home to the studs and rebuilding it with extraordinary care. Every decision reflects a respect for craftsmanship and structural integrity. The broad front porch sets the tone, anchored by two distinctive coquina block planters. The coquina foundation wall and chimney carry quiet historical significance, tying the home to a material deeply rooted in Florida's architectural story. A porch swing and custom 2½-inch Schedule 40 handrails on the staircases add both presence and permanence. Inside, the 2,500 square feet of living space is beautifully proportioned and thoughtfully arranged. The main level offers two bedrooms, a dedicated office, and two full bathrooms. The house is handicap accessible, with widened three-foot doors on the first floor, large closets, an exterior lift, and expansive 4' x 6' showers on the main level that are all one level with no lips or steps. Accessibility has been integrated in a way that feels intentional and seamless. Upstairs are two additional bedrooms, a second office, and a full bathroom, along with a hidden emergency fire escape. The restoration was thorough in all facets. Original windows were painstakingly restored and later fitted with storm windows. The result is a tighter building envelope and significant sound insulation while preserving the historic fabric. All wood was stripped bare and restored. Architectural details are elevated throughout, including brass hinges, glass knobs, pocket windows in the primary suite, and a rebuilt coal fireplace. The firebox was enlarged, the flue widened and lined with insulated stainless steel, and a cast iron stove with blower was installed to create both warmth and presence. Behind the walls, the infrastructure is exceptional. The crawl space is sealed with 15 mil poly and topped with a three-inch concrete slab. The crawl space and the entire house are insulated with 3" of closed-cell foam, creating a vapor barrier and conditioned environment. The crawl space is heated, cooled, and dehumidified. The home utilizes a residential split dehumidifier with the compressor located outside, providing one-third ton of refrigeration and dehumidified make-up air. There are four separate ventilation and AC systems. The roof features a hybrid ventilated and non-ventilated design with closed-cell foam beneath and airflow at the deck to protect and cool the wood structure. The home is efficient enough to be fully powered by a 10 kW natural gas generator. Underground utilities further enhance reliability and aesthetics. Additional features include recessed lighting in the living and dining rooms, under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen and all three baths, and a 3,000-gallon swim spa with three swim jets and a heated jacuzzi. The 535 square foot drive-through garage is equally well considered, with a 10-foot door on the alley and an 8-foot door on the driveway. It includes open-cell spray foam at the roof, rock wool insulation in the walls, its own subpanel, natural gas, sewer, and hot and cold water. This Riverside bungalow has been carefully stewarded, structurally strengthened, and respectfully renewed.