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Historic Preservation Board approves second‑story garage addition at 814 Santiago with conditions
Summary
The Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board unanimously approved a special certificate of appropriateness and a variance for a second‑story addition over an existing garage at 814 Santiago Street, asking the applicant to refine roof treatment and minimize impacts on the original one‑story garage.
The Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board unanimously approved on Jan. 15 a combined special certificate of appropriateness and variance allowing a second‑story addition over an auxiliary garage at 814 Santiago Street.
Staff said the home is a contributing resource within the Santiago Street Historic District and recommended approval with conditions, while urging the applicant to reduce the visual impact of the new work on the original one‑story garage. Anna Pernas, preservation officer, told the board the proposal “meets the secretary of interior standard for planning an addition on a secondary elevation,” but asked the applicant to study ways to keep the addition subordinate to the historic fabric.
Architect Giorgio Antoniasi told the board the project adds roughly 600–650 square feet above a nonoriginal garage to create a guest suite and home office and that the massing is set to the rear so the street character will be preserved. “I think this is an appropriate approach for this house,” Antoniasi said, adding the design team is willing to revise fenestration and roof treatments.
During discussion board members recommended thickening the front garage wall to create clearer separation between original and new work and asked staff and the applicant to study roof options, including a flat roof on the dog‑leg portion of the addition to reduce the perceived mass. Mister Silva moved to approve the COA and variance with staff‑recommended conditions revised to require study of the flat roof and to strike a recommended second garage wall; Miss Spain seconded the motion.
A roll call produced unanimous approval.
The board closed by directing staff and the applicant to work on the discussed refinements, after which the applicant may proceed to permit submittal in line with the recorded conditions. The board will issue a result letter and the certificate of appropriateness reflecting the approved conditions.
