Welcome to Central Avenue: Historic Victorian Restoration in Moorestown, New Jersey
Overview
When this remarkable Victorian home came on the market, I kept returning to the listing photos. The architecture stood out immediately—classic Victorian detail, beautiful proportions, and the kind of presence you rarely see today. Set on a ¾-acre corner lot with mature trees in Moorestown’s Town Center, the home offered something I’m always looking for: authentic character with real restoration potential.
From the beginning, the goal was clear—restore the historic integrity and reimagine the home so it functions effortlessly for the next chapter of its life.
Property Story
140 E. Central Avenue at a Glance
- Location: 140 E. Central Avenue, Moorestown, New Jersey
- Home style: Victorian
- Lot: ¾-acre corner lot with mature trees
- Size: 6,682 total square feet
- Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 6 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms
- Key goals: Preserve original character + improve flow, light, and modern functionality
- Team: Design vision led by Holly Garber; craftsmanship and build execution Roman Builders
The Opportunity
I initially hesitated to bring the project to Ira—restoring a home of this scale requires vision, investment, and commitment. But the moment we walked through the front door together, it was obvious we were seeing the same thing: a rare chance to create something exceptional while honoring the architecture.
Identifying homes with strong “design bones” and untapped potential is a core part of my work. Historic homes deserve restoration that feels intentional—preserving what makes them special while updating what’s needed to live comfortably today.
Design Highlights
What We Changed to Create Light, Views, and Livability
One of the most transformative parts of this restoration was rethinking how the home lives—not just how it looks. We removed the stairs that originally ran from the basement to the third level and opened select interior areas to create more expansive spaces, stronger sightlines, and a dramatic influx of natural light.
We also reworked the private wing to elevate the experience of the home day-to-day. By removing walls and an existing fireplace stack, we created a luxurious primary suite designed to feel calm, spacious, and intentional—more like a retreat than a bedroom in an older home.
The primary bathroom was designed as a true sanctuary: rich marble surfaces, a steam shower, elevated plumbing fixtures, custom inset cabinetry, and designer lighting layered to create a warm, flattering glow at any time of day. The result is a suite that honors the home’s original grandeur while delivering modern comfort and refinement.
Design Philosophy
What We Preserved
This home had original architectural details worth protecting, and preservation was never treated as an afterthought. Our goal was to carry forward the craftsmanship and character that makes a Victorian feel timeless.
- Original moldings preserved to maintain the home’s historic profile and room proportions
- Inlaid European wood floors restored to bring back warmth, depth, and authenticity
- Two fireplaces rebuilt from the inside while preserving their original presence and architectural impact
- Solid wood interior doors restored, paired with new hardware chosen specifically to align with the character of the home
Preservation isn’t about freezing a house in time—it’s about restoring what gives it identity and making sure every update respects that foundation.
What We Updated for Modern Living
This restoration included comprehensive updates throughout the home—pairing historic integrity with modern performance, comfort, and function.
Structural Additions + New Spaces
- Oversized two-car garage and mudroom addition, designed to integrate with the home’s architecture
- Butler’s pantry (part of the addition), created as a natural extension of the kitchen
- New staircase leading from the basement to the third level, improving flow and everyday usability
- New laundry room, placed for convenience and modern living
- A new 15' x 25' bedroom with two walk-in closets and its own full bath, adding valuable private space for guests or family
- Whole-Home Systems and Exterior Performance
- New HVAC
- New windows
- New roof
- Updated plumbing and electrical
These behind-the-walls improvements are what make a historic home feel effortless—comfortable, reliable, and built for daily life.
Kitchen Design: A Space People Don’t Want to Leave
I wanted the kitchen to feel like the heart of the home in the truest sense—beautiful enough to linger in, functional enough to support real life, and welcoming enough that people naturally gather and stay.
The foundation is 18" x 18" marble tile flooring, setting a timeless tone that feels appropriate to a historic Victorian. The kitchen is built around custom inset cabinetry, highlighted with polished nickel hardware for a crisp, classic finish. We carried marble through with marble countertops and a marble backsplash, creating a cohesive, elevated look that still feels rooted in the home’s character.
To keep the space as effortless as it is beautiful, we incorporated integrated appliances and designed custom drawer and cabinet fit-outs—purpose-built organization that supports everyday function and makes the kitchen feel intuitive to use. And because lighting defines how a room feels, we created layered illumination—ambient lighting, task lighting, and statement fixtures—so the kitchen feels inviting morning through night.
Butler’s Pantry: An Extension of the Kitchen
The butler’s pantry—created as part of the addition—was designed to feel like a continuation of the kitchen, not a separate afterthought. I wanted it to add another layer of beauty and soul to the home: a space that feels elevated, useful, and quietly special. With the same intentional material language and cabinetry approach, the pantry supports entertaining and everyday life while reinforcing the feeling that every space in the home was considered.
Before/After
