Constructed in 1876, the House of Refuge in Stuart was one of five original shipwreck life-saving stations built along Florida’s eastern shore from what is today Vero Beach down to Biscayne Bay. Also known as Gilbert’s Bar, the House of Refuge is the last remaining historic life-saving station in the state and is the oldest building in Martin County! Now this wood-framed Florida vernacular building will begin a lengthy restoration process to address structural repairs to the foundation, columns, rafters, and beams. Additionally, the building will be reroofed with historically accurate wood shakes plus minor repairs to the building envelope.
Client: Martin County
Type: Historic
Project Size: 3,000 SF
Project Cost: 2M
Year: 2026
Constructed in 1876, the House of Refuge in Stuart was one of five original shipwreck life-saving stations built along Florida’s eastern shore from what is today Vero Beach down to Biscayne Bay. Also known as Gilbert’s Bar, the House of Refuge is the last remaining historic life-saving station in the state and is the oldest building in Martin County! Now this wood-framed Florida vernacular building will begin a lengthy restoration process to address structural repairs to the foundation, columns, rafters, and beams. Additionally, the building will be reroofed with historically accurate wood shakes plus minor repairs to the building envelope.
Client: Martin County
Type: Historic
Project Size: 3,000 SF
Project Cost: 2M
Year: 2026
