Lakeland resident Patricia Landreth spent more than two years turning a once neglected downtown landmark into her “mini-Manhattan” dream home. Now, it’s back on market.
The Raymondo Building at 115 N. Kentucky Ave is listed for sale at $2.3 million. Landreth, 61, said she’s put it on the market to see if it will fetch a price that will allow her to retire earlier and spend more time with her partner, Melissa.
“Only if the price is right it, and then it’s worth it to go. If not, then we’ll stay,” she said. “The real estate market is hot and this is absolutely unique property downtown.”
Built in 1904, the building was once home to the nonprofit Arts on the Park, serving as a gallery displaying works of local artists for roughly 25 years.
The nonprofit organization lacked the funds to properly maintain the old building and listed it for sale in July 2013.
“I’ve always wanted to live downtown,” she said. “I didn’t want a house, I didn’t want a yard or any of that stuff. I wanted to be able to walk to the bars, the restaurants, to live music, to the theater and civic center.”
When Landreth purchased the building for $220,000 in 2013, she said the upper floors were in horrific state.
“The floor was a rotten mess of wood rot and termites,” she said. “There was nothing up there; it was one big rotten piece of nothing.”
Landreth worked alongside Lakeland-based architects Hulbert Homes Inc. to restore and highlight historical aspects of the buildings while also bringing in unique pieces to create an international urban oasis.
As visitors climb a black spiral staircase, they are immediately greeted by a painted Coca-Cola advertisement splashed across a brick wall. The mural and other painted artworks were hidden under a layer of plaster, according to Landreth, and now feature prominently along the interior side of the building.
“Oh my god, why would you cover this up,” she said. “You can’t plan that.”
Landreth worked to preserve other original parts of the buildings, incorporating them into the eclectic design. There are four original hardwood doors that she pried the numbers off, but wear and age have left permanent imprints on the back of the door.
Stepping into back into the hallway, one moves out of the original building into a newer extension Landreth built in an alley. However, she chose to keep the copper flashings once secured on the exterior of Explorations V Children’s Museum exposed, as it now blends seamlessly in a brick and wood exterior.
The design, really for me, every house I’ve had I’ve remodeled. I wanted it exactly like this.”
Throughout the home are eye-catching porcelain tiles in black-and-white and blues that Landreth said she imported from Spain. The tiles create a flawless pattern across the outdoor balcony, living areas and bathrooms.
“It was an indulgence because I very much like them,” she said.
A modern practical touch has been added where Landreth has an elevator installed, running from the building’s two-car garage up to its private rooftop deck. The elevator and open floor layout means the entire building is handicapped accessible, as Landreth said she wanted to ensure she could live her life out in the building.
Now though, Landreth might be willing to leave it behind if it allows her more time with her partner to travel and live out life’s adventures.
“If it sells, I’ll probably leave with tears in my eyes,” she said.