ONE of Sarasota’s most distinguished and prized neighborhoods famous for its “old world charm” Oyster Bay was the choice of Mr. and Mrs. Wellford to build their home in 1958.  Marion was a civil engineer in Sarasota and worked with many of the Sarasota School of Architecture Architects. His home followed this design to a tee.

 

Builder Craig Holliday, whose father, Jim, was an architect with Frank Folsom Smith’s firm before opening his own firm, was raised with an appreciation of this architectural style.  Craig remembers that Marion Wellford was a very hands-on fellow and he guesses that Marion did most, if not all, of the construction of his house.  He did some modifications to the home probably in the 1970s and added the air conditioning system. His four children were friends with Craig. They all played together and were constantly out on their small boats and camping on Skier Island in the bay across from the Field Club. Mr. Wellford built a cabin and a dock for them to use on the island so they didn’t have to put up tents. It had a water cistern and elevated sleeping areas so they didn't have to contend with the critters on the island. 

 

When the Wellford home at 4431 Camino Real came up for sale, Craig stepped in and bought it. Because Craig’s father was part of the Sarasota School of Architecture group, Craig understands the significance of a home like this. Unfortunately, the size and layout of the home would not allow for adding a second story or expanding rooms for what would be expected in today’s market. Since it could not be renovated, a new version of the mid-century modern home is being created on an incredibly beautiful, almost 1/2-acre homesite with 70 feet of lakefront. The site is amazing and so is the new home design.

 

Craig’s brother is the lead architect for the project as he studied under Craig’s father for many years and is currently an architect in Santa Barbara, California. He has done the rendering of the new home, and they are working with local designer Rick Areano to bring his vision to life. 

When you can’t save a mid-century modern, re-creation of one is the next best thing.

 

Craig says they are presently taking out and salvaging as much of the past day items, such as large sliding glass door and jalousie windows and interior cedar siding to be reused by the Sarasota MOD. “We are trying to preserve the history of the home as much as possible. “