Jumbo Eichler Pops Its Top - Page 2

Part of why the couple knew they needed an architect was to properly address what Jen termed a very rigorous approval process by the city's Design Review Committee, a group well versed in Eichler principles. Another asset they had, though, was city staff eager to support historic restoration.

"They were pretty happy to work with us on it. They were really enthusiastic about the house," said Matt gratefully.

Neighbors and passersby were also supportive, especially in comparison to some who first saw the hatted house while walking the neighborhood during Orange's 2019 Eichler home tour.

"People that hadn't seen it before were like, 'What in the world?!" Matt recalled, smiling.

Neighbor curiosity was so strong once they started that Matt spent a rare day last May on the sidewalk in front of his home instead of on the roof.

"I ended up spending the whole day in a lawn chair, talking to people coming by," he said. Still, even neighbors rooting for the Coykendalls had doubts.

"It just seemed like a huge undertaking," admitted David Rooks, a history teacher and self-professed "Eichler nerd" who lives next door and, despite doubts, helped with consultation and a little perspiration.

The neighborhood has been unanimously supportive of the restoration, Rooks most of all.

"It's been really helpful, just working it out with them," Matt said of consulting with neighbors, especially those, like he and others nearby, who live in what Rooks identified as Eichler model LJ-274.

Of course, so many of the neighbors were curious about the price of such an extensive project.

"It's a tricky question," Jen said about the project cost, noting her husband's skill set and finally pegging it at $60,000 to $70,000. "There was a ton of sweat equity…If we paid a contractor to do it, I don't know how the math would have worked out."

As it is, the couple is on the road to achieving a landmark restoration for the County of Orange, not a place known for historic preservation. With the city's new preservation codes in place, the Coykendalls are looking forward to possible Mills Act tax relief in the future.

"That'll be a big help," Matt said, reviewing a home-improvement punch list he termed "never-ending." "Unfortunately, none of this [initial phase] is covered."