Just like that, a beast became a beauty.

The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission unanimously approved a scaled-down version of a proposed house at 323 Park Ave. during its May 1 meeting.

Barbara Warnell, HPARC chair, once called the original, planned 4,000-square-foot house a “monster,” referring to the mass and scale of the home compared to the other houses on the street.

The 9,600-square-foot lot at 323 Park Ave. is in the heart of the city’s historic district.

The new house will be 1,000 square feet smaller and 32 feet shorter than the first design. 

“This has been a long road and a very expensive road for me. I do like this house, so hopefully it’s all worth it in the grand scheme of things,” said Bill Huntley, the homeowner.

HPARC had twice rejected the first designs, but this time, commissioners liked what they saw.

“I think this version is beautiful. I hope you will enjoy it, and I hope the town will enjoy it,” said Commissioner Mike DiPaolo.

At the start of the meeting, Warnell announced that it would be her last as HPARC chair.

She is retiring at the end of her current term, after serving for 15 years on HPARC and its predecessor, the Lewes Historic Preservation Commission.

Warnell said she got involved after seeing too much history wiped away.

“After disappointing demolitions and other activities, or lack of activities, a lot of the townspeople, and I was one of them, spent four years working on preservation guidelines,” she said.

Lewes Mayor and City Council adopted the first incarnation of HPARC in January 2004.

The current HPARC began meeting in 2019.

Commissioners praised Warnell for her knowledge and leadership.

“You’ve done a very good job of having seven people, with different perspectives and opinions, voice our opinions, even though we don’t always agree with each other. I don’t know many people who put in 15 years’ service and volunteering on something that’s really quite difficult,” said commissioner Kevin Mallinson.

Councilman Joe Elder, who serves as an ex officio member of HPARC, said the commission deserves a lot of credit.

“If this town had been totally plowed under and rebuilt as a new town, there wouldn’t be nearly the financial engine we have right now. People come from far and wide to Lewes, and a lot of that is due to HPARC,” Elder said.

Lewes Mayor and City Council is expected to make two appointments to HPARC at its regular meeting Monday, May 12.

HPARC members would then appoint a new chair in June.