Robson Homes invites you to a community open house and tour of the preserved Quaresma House, a historically significant home in Fremont’s Mission San Jose District that has been fully restored by the local builder as part of their Darrow Farm development.
Robson Homes is committed to respecting the history and legacy of the places where they build, and believes in the importance of restoring historic homes as a way to help build community and place. The Quaresma House was built in the 1920s, and was part of the property that Robson purchased from Lila Jean Bringhurst several years ago. Ms. Bringhurst, who passed away earlier this year, was a Fremont advocate and civic leader who helped raise public awareness of Fremont’s history and architecture. It had been her dream to see the home restored to its former glory.
The Quaresma House was original built for G.O. Darrow, who owned and operated several local businesses including Darrow’s Bakery in Niles, Old Mission Auto Park at Mission San Jose and a winery on the property. It was later the home of Judge Edward A. and Emma Quaresma. Mr. Quaresma was the area’s first Municipal Court Judge and is well known for his life of civil service, including organizing and incorporating the chambers of commerce in Alvarado, Newark, Irvington, Mission San Jose and Niles.
The stucco-clad home is a classic craftsman-style bungalow. Its fenestration design, tapered porch columns, and shallow pitched roof with wide eave overhangs are typical of this beloved style and served as inspiration for Robson as they designed and built 23 new homes in the surrounding Darrow Farm neighborhood.
As part of the home’s preservation, all exterior details and finishes were preserved or restored to match the historic original. Key components of the home’s transformation include:
- Original wood windows and the front door were removed, fully refurbished or rebuilt and re-installed.
- The home was lifted from its original location and moved 200 feet to a new foundation near the front of the property. Additions that were built through the years were removed and a new addition was added to the back of the home once it was relocated. The home now sits prominent in the neighborhood, toward Mission Blvd and Emory Common, with its original front façade intact.
- The entry, living room, and dining room were preserved, while a bedroom was retrofitted as a den. The rest of the house was reconfigured and expanded. The kitchen was modernized, and a master suite, bedroom, laundry room, and mud room were added.
- During the preservation, a living room fireplace was discovered behind a faux wall. It was in turn disassembled and then fully rebuilt using both new masonry and original materials.
- The walls were stripped of all plaster and the house was completely rewired and re-plumbed.
- The interior casework and trim was designed and crafted to maintain the original character.
Continuing its commitment to preserve local history and architecture, Robson Homes is restoring three additional historic homes in Fremont, including the Starr and Best homes in Mission San Jose. The builder has a long history for historical restoration having completed the preservation of the Canyon Heights Farm House in Fremont, The Old School in Fremont, and the Thrash House in Los Gatos.