One updated split-level ranch home makes a fine place for an annual Kentucky Derby party. It now also makes a mighty fine space for its homeowners to age in place.
Owners Leah and Stewart Albert share that after they searched West St. Louis County for a relocation home more suitable for their retirement phase, no other property tugged at their heartstrings. So, instead, they opted to renovate their 1963 home. "We decided we might as well start straight from scratch and do it right,” explains Leah. “So we basically knocked out the entire wall of the whole back of the house to create an addition that enabled a ginormous great room, ADA-compliant powder room, mudroom, master bedroom suite and blue tile walk-in shower because we love the ocean. Some home additions look like they’re attacking or dwarfing the houses, but ours can’t even be seen from the street.”
As a former Kentucky native, Leah says the renovation had to yield airy space, namely vaulted ceilings, to let in more light. Hence, collaboration with Kentucky-raised architect Susan Bower, of Maplewood-based Bower Leet Design, was destined to win the roses at the end of this residential reformation race.
Susan designed two linear vaults, one on the west side and one on the east, with two slopes. The lower slope matches the existing roof pitch, trussing the addition to the main house. “The upper portion of each vault has a steeper slope to provide a sense of height the original house lacked,” she states.
Architecturally, Susan designed the new floor as all one level for easy, intertwining flow into the existing kitchen, living and dining rooms. Under the west vault, she placed an extended family room with a two-sided fireplace and bar with stone slab. Under the east vault, she designed the Alberts’ suite with a large closet and a new walk-in shower with multiple heads and sprayers. “The addition’s west wall is all glass with views of the landscape and is great for bird watching,” Susan shares.
The property’s lot slopes down in the back, Susan imparts, so an unfinished basement was a beneficial inclusion, one now used for practicing pickleball, potting plants and outdoor storage.
RJ Mayer Development, headed by Randy Mayer, was selected as the project’s general contractor, with Davey Mayer serving as interior designer. Davey says she worked with Leah to refine finishes and to display the couple’s artwork collection. “Even the mudroom has carefully selected artwork placements, and the powder room has an illuminated onyx sink,” Davey adds. This unusual renovation was completed in about 15 months, Randy confirms.
“My new favorite spot is our Japanese-inspired, upper deck with a pagoda ceiling and covered porch, surrounded by landscaping created by landscape architect Erin McCown Foster and arborist Doug Beckman at MP Landscaping. They made our outdoor space feel lush and Kentucky-like. It’s so nice to be outside in nature,” Leah concludes. “We’re currently having a lap pool installed. This harmonizing renovation has been a 100% positive experience.”
