It's been a journey for Palm Beach real estate agent, Jim McCann, and his interior designer wife, Sara. After three attempts and five months of perseverance, they have finally received approval from the town's Architectural Commission for their new house on the North End[^1^]. While the decision was split 4-3, the majority praised the design as charming and a little quirky, capturing the essence of Palm Beach's architectural heritage[^1^]. Architect Roger Janssen of Dailey Janssen Architects presented a "vernacular" style house that pays homage to the area's historic homes[^1^].
A Refined Design
The approved design features a stucco exterior, a projecting front porch with an arched entrance, a prominent chimney breast, and small dormer windows over the two-car garage[^1^]. The house will offer a total of 4,574 square feet of living space, combining indoor and outdoor areas[^1^]. This new house will replace the McCanns' one-story Bermuda-style home that has been in their family for over four decades[^1^].
Caption: A rendering of the approved design for 217 Bahama Lane[^2^].
The Journey
The approval wasn't achieved easily. During the initial presentation in August, the design received feedback from the commission and neighbors, who believed the architecture was too complex and the size didn't fit the lot[^1^]. A revised design was presented in September, but it failed to meet the commission's expectations[^1^]. It was back to the drawing board for Janssen, who revisited the original design while making adjustments to window arrangements, removing the pergola, and simplifying other details[^1^].
Caption: The house design evolution - from the original design to the approved version[^3^].
Moving Forward
While there were varying opinions among the commissioners, the final design was deemed acceptable by the majority[^1^]. Commissioner John David Corey expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the house and praised the landscaping plan by Nievera Williams Design, which will incorporate native plants[^1^]. The approval vote was a step closer to realizing the McCanns' vision.
Jim McCann, a Premier Estate Properties agent, and Sara McCann, owner of McCann Design Group, can now look forward to seeing their dream home take shape. Their determination and willingness to work with the commission have paid off, allowing them to build a home that reflects their style while respecting the heritage of Palm Beach architecture.
