Willis Colby residence: Difference between revisions
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The '''Willis Colby residence''' is a small Mediterranean Revival-style house located on a triangular 0.3-acre lot at 2931 [[Highland Avenue]], near the intersection of [[30th Street South]], across from [[Rhodes Park]]. It was designed by [[William Welton]] for [[W. D. Colby]], owner of the [[Birmingham Decorating Company]] and built around [[1924]]<!--or [[1927]]-->. The 1,660<!--or 2,160--> square-foot house has 3-bedrooms and 1 bath.<!--The home has been described as having been constructed in [[1902]], but almost certainly dates from the 1920s.--> | The '''Willis Colby residence''' is a small Mediterranean Revival-style house located on a triangular 0.3-acre lot at 2931 [[Highland Avenue]], near the intersection of [[30th Street South]], across from [[Rhodes Park]]. It was designed by [[William Welton]] for [[W. D. Colby]], owner of the [[Birmingham Decorating Company]] and built around [[1924]]<!--or [[1927]]-->. The 1,660<!--or 2,160--> square-foot house has 3-bedrooms and 1 bath, and a small outbuilding on the alley.<!--The home has been described as having been constructed in [[1902]], but almost certainly dates from the 1920s.--> | ||
The rectangular one-story house is clad in stucco with ganged windows. The flat roof is surrounded by a stepped parapet, topped with a pair of urns flanking the central entrance bay. The front door is sheltered by a semi-circular portico supported on two round columns and two engaged half columns. It opens onto a paved terrace shaded by pergolas at either end. Welton described the style of the house as "Louis XVI", highlighting its neoclassical details, but may have modeled its appearance closely on a contemporary "California bungalow" in Pasadena. | The rectangular one-story house is clad in stucco with ganged windows. The flat roof is surrounded by a stepped parapet, topped with a pair of urns flanking the central entrance bay. The front door is sheltered by a semi-circular portico supported on two round columns and two engaged half columns. It opens onto a paved terrace shaded by pergolas at either end. Welton described the style of the house as "Louis XVI", highlighting its neoclassical details, but may have modeled its appearance closely on a contemporary "California bungalow" in Pasadena. | ||
Revision as of 11:27, 12 December 2023
The Willis Colby residence is a small Mediterranean Revival-style house located on a triangular 0.3-acre lot at 2931 Highland Avenue, near the intersection of 30th Street South, across from Rhodes Park. It was designed by William Welton for W. D. Colby, owner of the Birmingham Decorating Company and built around 1924. The 1,660 square-foot house has 3-bedrooms and 1 bath, and a small outbuilding on the alley.
The rectangular one-story house is clad in stucco with ganged windows. The flat roof is surrounded by a stepped parapet, topped with a pair of urns flanking the central entrance bay. The front door is sheltered by a semi-circular portico supported on two round columns and two engaged half columns. It opens onto a paved terrace shaded by pergolas at either end. Welton described the style of the house as "Louis XVI", highlighting its neoclassical details, but may have modeled its appearance closely on a contemporary "California bungalow" in Pasadena.
In the 1950s the house was occupied by milliner and dressmaker Marguerite Sarris. Decorator Al Troncalli purchased the house in 1982 for $65,000 and resided their until his death in 1999, after which it passed to his sister, Grace. At some point, a wooden sign with the name "Little Villa on Highland" was hung from a post at the foot of the drive.
Grace Troncalli put the house up for sale in 2013 for $400,000 but did not immediately find a buyer. It sold in 2015 for $250,000; in 2021 for $525,000; and again in 2022 for $565,000.
The Colby residence is listed as a contributing structure to the Country Club Historic District. In December 2023 the owner applied to the Birmingham Design Review Committee to demolish the structure to make way for a new 6-unit apartment building.
| To left: Highland Club Apartments |
Highland Avenue 2931 |
To right: Montcalm Apartments |
References
- Mansell, Jeff & Christy Anderson (March 11, 2003) "Country Club Historic District" National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - listed December 17, 2003
- Dabney, Richard (2006) Birmingham's Highland Park. Images of America Series. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Press. ISBN 9780738543437
- Watson, Nathan (December 11, 2023) "Historic “Little Villa on Highland” may be demolished for apartment development." Bham Now