The Hygeia House on Beach Avenue is looking at getting a makeover. The property underwent a major renovation in 2001 by then-owners Champ and Lisa Starr, for which it won Preserve Rhode Island’s first annual preservation award.This statewide recognition loomed large in the minds of the members of the Historic District Commission when the current owners of the Hygeia appeared before the commission to make an application for renovations to porches, windows, and doors.“It got an award,” Chair Bill Penn said. “What are you replacing?” he asked.
“You’re changing the doors in the back and you’re changing the look of the whole building. It’s such a beautiful building the way it is. To add these decks is a sin,” Member Arlene Tunney said.
Member Michael Ballard said he liked the look of the renovation, but wondered if the change was “so significant as to be inappropriate.”Josh Redd of North Atlantic Builders made the presentation to the HDC on behalf of the owners, Mathew O’Hayer and Catherine Stewart. Redd told the commission that he planned to “replicate the original house as closely as possible.”
Redd went on to describe the proposed second-level deck, saying that while it is not
