100 West Davis: Dreams For Sale
October 12, 2009 by Ken Elmore · 2 Comments
Connie Horner is selling her dream. Nearly eight years ago she purchased the house at 100 West Davis Boulevard with visions of restoring the historic structure to its original beauty. Yes, the home was one of several listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, as part of the Mediterranean Revival Style Buildings on Davis Islands. Built in 1925, it is believed to have been one of the original model homes begun by developer D.P. Davis, then finished later in 1927 by Ballinger Engineering.
Horner knows the history, she’s built a website on the homes past and present at www.100westdavis.com, an online chronicle of the home. “It was originally planned as two smaller houses, but when Davis lost controlling interest in the islands, engineers planned a larger house for higher end buyers and joined the two together,” Horner told us. Her goal is to use whatever techniques available to find the right buyer for 100 West Davis. Thus the website and large banner in front of the home heralding the website. Many island residents know the house, it’s been under construction since she purchased it and apologizes to everyone for the inconvenience on her website.
Ironically the home was born in one of the worst economic times in history and now is caught up in another historic economic crisis. In a sense, history has repeated itself. Tax records show Horner purchased the house in December 2001, she says before moving in it was discovered the home needed its old electrical wiring replaced, six months later, one thing led to another and a total renovation was under way.
She says exterior walls were discovered crumbling and two foot stainless steel rods were used to stitch up the cracks , essentially saving the structure. Extra expenses in renovation that weren’t planned, but she had a dream and was “going to see it through, no matter what. “ This house deserved saving, it’s role in DI history was all but forgotten. I felt it a worthwhile challenge to reclaim it.
I’ve spent about $600 thousand of my own money preserving / restoring this house. It‘s an old “new“ house with all the high tech bells and whistles, uniquely, it is a modern smart house built prior to prohibition. In other words, it is now solid and has always partied great! ”
To understand why Connie Horner was so passionate about 100 West Davis, you only have to look into her background. According to her family business’s website NuAir Manufacturing, she began a career in fashion design in the 1970’s after graduating from the Art Institute and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
She started her own business in the 1980’s. Her line was purchased by top specialty stores nationwide and graced the covers of national magazines. She returned to Tampa in 1986 to take an active role in managing the families business, but art is in her blood.
The family business was thriving, so much so that in February 2004, then President George Bush held a town hall meeting on the economy at Horner’s Tampa plant talking about the importance and success of small business in America. Horner had reached the top, she was quenching her artistic thirst in rebuilding 100 West Davis, and successfully managing her families’ business, with accolades as far away as the White House.
Three years later everything changed. The economy hit the family business hard, forcing layoffs and the plant to close and once again the future of 100 West Davis is hit by economic decline. Horner sees a magnificent Florida estate, ready to rise from the unfinished landmark. “This would be a perfect place for someone who likes to entertain, but also likes their privacy. A single pro athlete would fit well here.”
To those driving by one sees a swimming pool in the front of the house and an out of place chain link fence.“ That’s a whole story in itself. I was approved a pool by the city but not a fence, once that was worked out, things started unraveling at work, and here we are.” She has professional sealed plans drawn of her final vision ready for permitting. An estate with lush landscaping, restored to 1920’s era elegance, a grand courtyard with hand made oak and iron entry doors, a wine cellar, and a grand master suite with his and her showers.
My dream was to restore the diamond to the crown of the islands. In so doing, preserve the original architectural vision of Davis Islands for future generations. The bank calls it a “friendly” foreclosure, all I can do now is clean it up and hope to sell it to someone that shares my dream and is willing to take on the responsibility of stewardship of this wonderful place”!
If you would like to contact Connie, here is a link on her 100westdavis.com website.
I did not know until reading this article that it was Connie’s home. I did some work for Connie’s company in the early nineties. She was a wonderful person then and I find it hard to believe that she would intentionally create problems for the residents of DI. Regardless, I think you are being extremely critical, Dissapointed. Come on, look around you, we are one step away from the next Great Depression and you are throwing stones; finding fault with someone for not having “a plan”. I contend that, as a smart business person, she did have a plan. When faced with doing a patch job and getting out or “doing the right thing”, she stuck with it. I had what I thought was a thoughtful plan too, before our economy went to hell. I applaud DI Buzz for supporting this endeavor. Isn’t that what community is all about; supporting each other?
DI Buzz gives this story a positive spin (great background) but anyone who loves historic homes has to be GRIEVED at what Connie Horner has done with this house. It was beautiful, and she apparently jumped in with all kinds of changes that destroyed the original character of the house. Now the lot is a mess as well and an eyesore. This is a lesson to all who buy a historic property — you need good advice and a plan. How in the world did a bright businesswoman allow this to happen. I hope the home finds a new owner who will truly love it and make it a gem again.