Raley Office Building

Two important elements necessary to Gene Leedy for a great building are a great architect and an equally great client. He and client Bill Raley were one such team. Their efforts forever changed downtown Winter Haven for the better. Hard economic times fell in the 1970's when the citrus industry was going through massive transitions, and downtown Winter Haven took the hit architecturally. Bill Raley wanted to do something about it, so he went to Leedy. The Raley Office Building renovation in 1978 was the first of many collaborations between the two men.

Built in 1925, this building was originally a furniture store. By the 70's, its exterior had deteriorated to the point that the damage was far beyond simple cosmetic repair. But Lindsay Raley, Bill Raley's son, said his father had a vision, and Leedy wanted to be a part of it, even though the old guard in town did not at first support the project. In fact, it was given the derogatory name "Raley's Folly" by many. Despite the ridicule, they set out to save the dilapidated structure with its fallen façade, from condemnation.

You can see that Leedy managed to retain the original parapets along the roof line and some of the façade details, while adding one of his favorite materials to the exterior, cedar planking. The interior was gutted and modernized. As you step into the foyer you can see many of Leedy's trademark, low maintenance industrial materials in use. The brick flooring and raw cedar baseboards and sturdy staircase bring the best of the old and new together. Gene recalled:

"Well, see, that Raley Building was a good example. I didn't do anything to that old building. See that's my philosophy of remodeling. See, most architects when they remodel, put a whole new façade on it and everything and change it, but I don't do it like that. I like to take the attributes of the old building and preserve it. And then add to it and keeping the philosophy of the old buildings. Updating it rather than remodeling it."

Another Raley venture, the Haven Place townhouse building, would not have been possible without these changes. The Chamber of Commerce followed suit and was built next door shortly thereafter.

According to Leedy, there should be more clients like Raley. He said Bill Raley was the first guy with the guts to go downtown and do something. Notice how the transfiguration continues as we return to our cars and drive a very short distance to the next site.