Historical Renovation

Benedict College
Gressette Building

Overview

This historic restoration project was completed with meticulous attention to detail, preserving the character and craftsmanship of the original building while thoughtfully renewing every space within it. From the 1790's heart of pine flooring to the ornate trim and moldings throughout, each element was treated with the patience and precision the building's history deserved—refinished, repaired, and restored rather than simply replaced.

The scope of work touched nearly every surface of the home: original wood floors were carefully sanded and refinished to a rich shine, while luxury vinyl tile brought durability to select spaces. Walls and ceilings were repaired throughout, and years of peeling paint were painstakingly scraped from trim, doors, and molding before priming and repainting. Mantels were restored and stained to highlight their natural character, and a custom-built replica front door was installed to preserve the building’s original architectural integrity—resulting in a finished project that feels both beautifully restored and thoughtfully renewed.

Customer
Benedict College
Project Time
90 days

The interior restoration began with carefully refinishing the heart of pine wood flooring and applying a fresh polyurethane coat for a rich shine, alongside new luxury vinyl tile in select areas. Walls and ceilings were repaired, and years of peeling paint were stripped from trim, doors, and the home's extensive molding before restoring the wood and repainting throughout—including cabinets, crown molding, windows, baseboards, and the entrance stairwell. Mantels were restored and stained, and the original door was replaced with a custom-built replica to preserve the home's historic character.

The exterior restoration began with repairing the large column on the front porch, followed by two weeks of scraping, sanding, and removing flaking paint from the building's surface. Historical shutters were carefully removed, repainted, and rehung, while siding and doors were repaired throughout. The building and wrought iron railings were soft washed to prepare for finishing, and the exterior—including the building, railings, and shutters—was freshly painted to complete the restoration.