126-YEAR OLD “DUCK’S NEST” HOME SUFFERS FROM “OLD AGE”

Needing to be demolished and reconstructed, “Ducks Nest” is located at 305 Maddock Way in Palm Beach, between North LakeTrail and North Lake Way on the Intracoastal Waterway side of The Island. The house is owned by the Maddock family. They have lived there since 1891.

One can “go to school” with this property to watch the steps that must be taken for similar homes needing rebuilding and reconstruction.

The original modular house was shipped by Henry Maddock from Long Island, by barge and train, as two portable frame houses that formed a modest 1-story home. At that time it was among ponds, marches, pineapple fields and coconut trees. The property is adjacent to the Old Bethesda Church. The 15-room house is supported by rough-hewn joists and rafters numbered for placement.  Porches, terraces, and distinctive rooflines are featured, with rooflines trimmed with scalloped barge boards.

The wild ducks that gave the name to Palm Beach’s oldest residence have vanished, but the home endures, needing many changes to be livable and up to code.

As The Island of Palm Beach seeks to grow with the times, more than 500 homes have been demolished in the last twenty years. This Maddock Way home has problems that include weather intrusion, water damage and structural deficiencies and the windows do not meet wind-resistance requirements.  

With building code and life safety issues, the owner’s plan is to demolish the wood frame walls and replace them with concrete-block walls. The plans are focused on staying as true as possible to the original concept. 

The current asphalt shingle roof would be replaced with same material; shingles currently are a fish-scale pattern. Wind-load glass would be installed to protect stained-glass windows.  A pool and changing room would be added to replace the existing garage to meet setback rules. A new 2-story garage would be built on the south side of the property, within the setback. 2000 sq ft will be added bringing the total to 6,000 sq ft.  

Expansions were made several times including alterations designed by John Volk in 1954.  It appears that permission to demolish a landmarked house is being sought and is favored by some landmarks commissioners, with an eye to preserving the charm of the house. 

“I have never seen a house with more charm or whimsical nature than this one,” said one of the Commissioners, and he also said, “I have never seen a house with such poorly constructed materials…. But it is the charm and its story that is historical, not the materials.”

CHANGES THEY ARE A-COMIN'!

Members of the Delray Historic Preservation Trust are still challenging Developer Steve Michael of Hudson Holdings plans for the corner of Atlantic and Swinton Avenues.  The plan is to rehabilitate and buildout part of the historic downtown district.  It would be “Caddy Corner to the Old School Square and Cornell Museum.

Tuesday there will be another discussion before a city board with Hudson Holdings hoping to gain public approval. Steve Michael said that they did everything possible and appreciated the feedback so they could create a better project.  They are keeping many historic structures in place.

Some of Delray Beach’s oldest structures are in the area being discussed, on Swinton south of Atlantic Avenue.  Hudson Holdings would rehabilitate and renovate those homes, build a hotel, stores and underground parking facility.

Delray Beach is a popular and interesting area for tourists and vacation home seekers, with focus on Atlantic Avenue from I-95 east to the beach and ocean. There are many historic homes in the area and professionals have purchased homes and made them into offices, improving the appearance of these homes and upgrading the neighborhoods while staying true to the original buildings as much as possible. 

Slowly the area is “modernizing, upgrading” and moving the appearance of downtown Delray into today’s world. It is not easy to change the appearance of an area to make everybody happy, but it would seem to bring new business space and other amenities to the area, new income to the city, and new residents. Renovated historic homes will be much more desirable for purchase.

The picture herein is with the courtesy of Hudson Holdings, to show what the development will look like.  There will be office space on the second floor.