A Timeless Landmark in the Heart of Lakeland

Standing proudly since 1924, The Terrace Hotel Lakeland is a beacon of the city's rich history and architectural elegance. Originally opened as Florida's first year-round hotel, it quickly became a symbol of luxury and innovation, attracting notable guests such as Henry Ford, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Frank Sinatra. Its Neo-classical design and prime location overlooking Lake Mirror have made it a cherished landmark in downtown Lakeland. After a period of closure and restoration, the hotel reopened in 1998, blending its historic charm with modern amenities.

Austin Historical's Restoration Scope

In our commitment to preserving the architectural integrity of The Terrace Hotel, Austin Historical undertook a meticulous restoration project focusing on the building's prominent floor-to-ceiling windows and grand entry doors.

Heritage Window Restoration

We restored three expansive window units, each approximately 96" x 92", comprising a total of 12 sashes and 120 individual lites. The restoration process included:

• Jamb Restoration: Removal of existing window units, scraping of jambs to eliminate loose or flaking paint, repair of any rot or damage, and application of premium long oil primer followed by two coats of premium acrylic paint. Interior stops were restored or replicated to match the original finish.

• Sash Fabrication: Construction of 12 new sashes using rot-resistant Accoya wood with mortise and tenon joinery. Each sash was 2¼" thick with 1" muntins, sanded smooth, primed, and painted with two coats of premium acrylic paint. 1/8" tempered glass was installed and finished with ogee molding wood glazing.

Heritage Door Restoration

Our team also restored two sets of 36" x 92" double doors flanked by 12" x 92" sidelites, and one set of 36" x 84" double doors. The restoration encompassed:

• Door and Sidelite Fabrication: Construction of six doors and four sidelites using rot-resistant Accoya wood with mortise and tenon joinery. Each piece was sanded smooth, primed, and painted with two coats of premium acrylic paint. 1/8" tempered glass was installed, back bedded with proprietary mildew-resistant glazing putty, and finished with ogee molding wood glazing.

• Jamb Restoration: Removal of existing door slabs, scraping of jambs to remove loose or flaking paint, repair of any damage with wood epoxy or dutchman repair, sanding, priming with premium long oil primer, and painting with two coats of premium acrylic paint inside and out. Existing hardware, including hinges and door handles, was restored and reinstalled.

Trim Restoration

We addressed the exterior trim of the three sets of floor-to-ceiling windows and three sets of double doors. This involved scraping away loose or flaking paint from side and top casings, sills, and subsills; sanding smooth; priming with premium long oil primer; and applying two coats of premium acrylic paint. Interior trim removed during the window replacement process was reinstalled, caulked, and painted to match the existing finish. Additionally, we replaced rotten sills under the corridor windows to ensure structural integrity.