WHEN THIS COUPLE BOUGHT THEIR HOME in Missions Hills, they had little idea of the preservation adventure they were about to undertake. Commanding a prominent corner lot, their 1925 Spanish Revival style home with Monterey influences was constructed by the prolific San Diego builder Walter Trepte in 1925 and he and his wife Margaret lived there until 1938. The Trepte Construction Company was started in the late 1890's by Walter's father, Moritz.
Over the years, the house had undergone multiple renovations, including an addition in front of the original entryway under the second-story balcony, and removal of the original balustrade. The brick front porch was removed, and the triangular wooden balcony supports were lost. This unfortunate addition concealed many of the original design characteristics that gave the house its style and historic significance. Decades of deferred maintenance inside and out had also left the home in poor condition, and its wood-framed windows needed to be restored.
Landmark Historic Preservation researched the home and found an outstanding 1925 photo that showed the home's original porch design. Additional historic photos from the 1940s to the 1950s showed different parts of the porch. With this reference material, the original square balcony, wooden support beams, raised artificial stone quoin around the entryway, and raised brick entry porch all could be reconstructed in exacting detail.
The couple hired the local firm of Union Architecture to complete the complicated restoration and rehabilitation of the front facade, which required the removal of the addition and the recreation of the balcony. The quoin detail surrounding the entry door was restored, and the raised brick porch was completely rebuilt.
Today, our winners' home is beautifully restored, and Landmark Historic Preservation is completing a historic nomination report, which will be reviewed by the City of San Diego for historic designation in 2022. For reviving this distinctive architectural design, SOHO is proud to present Breeann and Nick with the Residential Restoration Award for the Walter and Margaret Trepte House.
