1987 Designation Report-Nassau Park HDh' U. 3 r31 Try Fqr_?1T171;,
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100 NAY. 1st AVENUE DELRA ' BEACH.FLORiDA 33444 303l273.2341
August 17 , 1987
Dear Nassau Park Resident: :
The Historic Preservation Board of the City of Delray
Beach has received requeata from residents of Nassau
Street to designate the . Nassau Street Arei as a
Historic District. The Historic Preservation Board has
researched the history and architectural significance
of Nassau Street, has deemed this area to warrant desig—
nation as a Historic District and prepared the required
designation report. This report is submitted for. your g .
information and review.
This designation if approved will not prevent ordinary •
maintenance and repair of any house which does not
change the publicly visible design of the house or
change construction materials. Once designated, ap—
provals for alterations or repairs to a structure would
be made through the Historic Preservation Board. The
Board will have approval authority to vary City ordi—
nances regarding setbacks, height, design, etc. • -
A public hearing will be held by the Historic Preser—
vation Board on September 10 , 1987 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Commission Chambers at City Hall for the purpose of
obtaining public input on the proposed designation of
the Nassau Street Area as a Historic District. You are
cordially invited to attend this meeting and comment on
the designation. If you have any questions, please con—
tact Ha. Lathy Daley at City Hall, phone 243-7000 .
Cordially,
mot"
CLEMMER MAYHEW, III, Chairman
Delray Beach Historic Preservation Board
CH:nr
Encl
r
DESIGNATION REPORT
NASSAU PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT
I,PURPOSE.
II.LOCATION
III.DISTRICT INVENTORY
IV.HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
V.PRESENT USE, CONDITION AND ZONING
VI.IMPACT
VII.RESOLUTION
Designation Report
NASSAU PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT (NPHD)
I-.
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Nassau Park Historic District is to: 1) retain
the identity, image and impact of one of Delray Beach's most dis-
tinctive areas, 2) provide a living glimpse of a historical era of
architectural achievement and protect the investments of the home-
owners, 3) maintain a harmony and continuity of streetseape which
onmewrages preservation and restoration, 4) provide guidelines for
new additions which will compliment the existing structures.
II. LOCATION
The Nassau Park Historic District is a two block cluster of houses
situated on Nassau Street in. Delray Beach, Palm Beach County,
Florida. - Extending East-West, NPHD is contained within two sub-
divisions:. Nassau Park between South Ocean Boulevard and Gleason
Street, and Wheatley', Subdivision between Gleason Street card
Venetian Drive. Delray and Delray Beach incorporated in 1927 to
form one municipality. Nassau Street was the first planned resi-
dential development south of Atlantic Avenue, and was intended to
compliment the existing hotels and oceanfront. homes' along South
Ocean Boulevard.
The topography of Nassau Street (the slope of the hill from east
to west from South Ocean Boulevard to Gleason Street) is a •vital
element in the scope, design and aesthetic of the streetscape.
See attached map.)
III. DISTRICT• INVENTORI
NASSAU PARK SUBDIVISION
Fomeowner Address ear Built
ekalevar: 91
Cherry, .J. G. & H. 226 S. Ocean Boulevard . 1935
Metz,. H. & A. 1127 Nassau Street 193T
LeClere, H. 1119 a 1936
Norton, Ann 1109 1935
McLellan, E. 1101 1935
del Forno, A. 1112 1938
Whittaker, C. 1120 1937
Manson, R. & K. 1122 1937
Jason's Terrace, Inc. 234 S. Ocean Boulevard - Vacant
p-AJeN 5. P. to/ Afassca.4 Sul I q35.
Designation Report - Nassau Park Historic District
Page Two
WHEATLEY SUBDIVISION
a,.
omeowner Address Tear Built
Briggs, J. 1029 Nassau Street - 1940
Groth, S. & T. 1027 1940
Rupp, W. 1023 1940
Canning, V. & P. 1019 1936
Brox, S. 1015 1936
Bradley, W. & H. 1009 1964
Oilatxmayer, E. & N.1010 1961
Laurence, P. . 1018 1937
HoDermot, J. 1022 1937
Flahery-Magnusson 1026 1957
Whitney,- P. 1030 1941
JOHN B. REID'S VILLAGE
Spruill, Venetian Drive 1949
t•gc(Soh! 229 1949 i _ -
McIntyre, J. & A. 233-235 • 1950
IV. HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Nassau Park Historic District was first platted as Asbury Park
Heights. The present day Nassau Street was named Jo-Jo Avenue in
the original plat. In March, 1935, developer-R. C. MacNeil renamed'
the area Nassau Park, and commissioned architect Sam Ogren, Sr. to
design the first house. The Cape Code Revival Style with Tropical
Lines was to be the architectural footprint of the houses. 'Situat-
ed between Atlantic Avenue and Casuarina Road, the Nassau Street
development would counterpoint the Mediterranean Style Homes which
lined South Ocean Boulevard.
During the Great Depression, Classic Revival styles became the
principal genre of architecture: Colonial, West Indies, Bermuda,
Monterrey, French and English. With two railroads, eight hotels,
the only Polo Fields south of Aiken, South Carolina, Delray Beach
thrived ae a seaside citadel while much of America was economically
hampered after the 1929 stock market collapse. Nassau Street . .
evokes a memory of prosperity, pleasure,- leisured relaxation and
style which was the essence of 1930s life in Delray Beach.
The District is comprised of 23 buildings and one vacant parcel.
The 18 houses built between 1935-1941 have retained the dominant
architectural elements of the Colonial-Cape Cod Revival Style.
Styled after the early wooden folk houses of Eastern Massachusetts,
these houses feature accentuated front doors, some supported by
pilasters, doorways with overhead fanlights, gabled roof lines,
dormers, center door facades, carved wood detailings and Georgian
or Adam doorways. The ensemble of existing structures reflects a
sensitivity of architectural style that combines in scale, mass and
proportion to formulate an aggregate whole with a visual harmony.
Designation Report - Nassau Park Historic District
Page Three
Thii-tecs?buildings were constructed between 1935-1938, fiv.e between
1940-1941, ca.e in the 1950s and two in the 1960s. 'The three houses
built since 1941 are without historic significance, Iet do not
adversely affect the aesthetic profile of the street.
V. PRESENT USE, CONDITION AND ZONING
Currently, all houses are in good condition and display skilled
craftsmanship.
Three parcels,.-228•, 226 and 234 S. Ocean Boulevard are zoned RH-15
and 18 parcels are zoned R-1A.
Legal Description: Nassau Park Lots 1-19,. Wheatley Lots 1--12 and
Block F-1 and E-4 of John Reed's Village.
2.47-3 S veue. A4 407-15
VI. SHPACI
The Nassau Park Historic District designatioa. would restrain con.. •
struction deemed architecturally .inoonsistent within the district,
or that which would jeopardize the existing streetacape thaehas
been intact for nearly 50 years.
The designation would further encourage residents to maintain cur-
rent streetacape.
The Standard Certificate of Appropriateness would apply for all.
structural changes or additions.
All current zoning would be retained.
VII. RESOLUTION
As a permanent inspiration and reminder of Delray Beach's proud
architectural history, timeless beauty and cultural contribution,
the Historic Preservation Board of Delray Beach adopts this Desig-
nation Report and Resolution to create the Nassau Park Historic
District.
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