Historic Venice apartment building to be restored

In August, a subcontractor working for a contractor who was supposed to perform renovations instead gutted the interior and sold the fixtures for scrap.

VENICE - A historic apartment building on the island of Venice that seemed destined for the wrecking ball is instead headed on a course toward renovation and revival.

When completed, the building should look like it did in 1926, said Ernest Ritz, owner of Ritz Construction Corp. in Sarasota whom the owner hired to perform the extensive makeover.

The Rose Hill East Apartments, 504 Armada Road South, is one of several residential buildings in a historic district within walking distance of downtown. The renowned town planner John Nolen specifically designated the area for apartments that could be rented by the city's working population a crucial component of his vision to make Venice a diverse, walkable town.

We still need these apartments for the workforce here, James Hagler, the city's historical resources director, said.

In August, Glen Jones father of the property owner, Tracy de Chevron Villette appeared before the city's Architectural Review Board to seek a demolition permit for the building.

Without permission, a subcontractor working for a contractor who was supposed to perform renovations, instead gutted the interior and sold the fixtures for scrap.

When he sought the demolition permit, Jones presumed the Mediterranean Revival structure had no historical significance.

Expressing doubts, the review board immediately summoned Hagler.

Hagler explained that Rose Hill East, which The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers hired M.G. Worrell of Tampa to build, is of historical significance because of the John Nolen connection.

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Historic Venice apartment building to be restored