Page 38 of The Wexley Inn
The Architectural Review Board meeting was scheduled for seven o’clock in the Wexley Island Municipal Building, a stately brick structure that housed the island’s very limited government functions. Isabella arrived thirty minutes early, which was her customary time. She wanted time to set up the presentation materials and get herself centered a little bit before the proceedings started.
She’d spent the past week carefully preparing for the meeting, knowing it was a key challenge for the inn’s renovation. The initial plans had received conditional approval months earlier, but this more detailed review would assess modernization aspects that needed special consideration for a historic property.
The meeting room was formal but not intimidating. It featured wood paneling, with comfortable chairs arranged around a large conference table. Pictures of the island’s historic buildings decorated the walls, silent reminders of the architectural heritage the board was responsible for protecting. She positioned her presentation boards on easels at the front of the room, ensuring each was perfectly level and properly lit.
She had dressed very carefully for the occasion in a tailored navy suit that displayed her professionalism without being showy. Every detail mattered when presenting to a board known for its focus on minutiae.
As she reviewed her notes one more time, the door opened and Thomas entered, carrying additional materials. He looked polished in a blazer and dress shirt, his typical work attire upgraded for the formal meeting.
“Everything ready?” he asked, setting down his portfolio.
“I think so,” Isabella said, gesturing toward the display. “I’ve arranged the boards to flow from historical context through necessary modernizations and then to the final aesthetic vision.”
He nodded approvingly as he examined the presentation. “That’s a great idea, Isabella. Clear, comprehensive, and respectful to the historical elements, while making a strong case for the updates needed.”
His confidence bolstered her own. They had worked closely over the past week to refine their approach, anticipating all potential objections and preparing thorough responses. His intimate knowledge of the board’s concerns had been very valuable in the preparation.
“Grayson Williams arrived early,” he said, glancing toward the hallway. “He’s talking to the board chairman now.”
Isabella wasn’t surprised. “Trying to set the stage before the formal meeting begins, I guess.”
“It’s standard procedure for Grayson,” Thomas said, “but we’ve done our homework. The modernizations we’re proposing are all supported by historical preservation guidelines, and they are necessary if the inn wants any commercial viability.”
Board members started arriving shortly after, filling the room with conversation. Isabella recognized several faces from Maggie’s garden party and greeted them, noting with satisfaction that most of them responded with genuine friendliness. Vivian Pierce arrived last—of course, impeccably dressed, and wearing an expression that mixed neutrality with disapproval.
The chairman called the meeting to order promptly at seven, outlining the procedures for those in attendance. Isabella and Thomas would present their plans and then take questions from the board and comments from any other interested parties. The board would then deliberate and vote on approval, conditional approval, or outright rejection.
When invited to begin their presentation, Isabella stepped forward. She’d given countless presentations during her corporate career, often to skeptical executives with far more intimidating demeanors than the Architecural Review Board.
“Good evening,” she said. “Thank you for the opportunity to present our renovation plans for The Wexley Inn. As you know, this historic property has stood at the core of the island for over a century and a half, serving as both a community gathering spot and a link to shared heritage.”
She outlined the historical significance of the inn, using pictures from different eras. Then she transitioned into current renovation challenges, explaining how the building systems needed to be updated to meet modern safety codes and guest expectations.
“Our approach balances preservation with necessary modernization,” she said, pointing toward detailed floor plans. “Every single decision has been guided by the simple question: how can we honor the inn’s history while ensuring its viability for the next one hundred years?”
Thomas joined her to present the technical aspects of the renovation. He explained the methods they would use to update plumbing and electrical systems, and how they would preserve original architectural elements. His expertise was evident as he addressed specific structural challenges and proposed solutions. He talked about relevant preservation guidelines and successful precedents from similar historical properties.
The presentation concluded with Isabella’s vision for the completed inn. This vibrant community landmark would once again host celebrations, provide accommodations for visitors, and serve as a living connection to the island’s heritage.
“The Wexley Inn has always been more than just a building,” she said in closing. “It’s a place full of memories, a gathering place for generations of islanders, and a physical embodiment of the community’s values. This renovation will honor that legacy, while ensuring that the inn can continue to serve these functions for generations to come.”
When they finished, the room stayed silent for a moment, a response Isabella interpreted as positive in her experience. Whenever there were immediate questions, they often indicated confusion or resistance; however, silence suggested that the presentation had been compelling enough to warrant reflection.
The board chairman finally broke the silence. “Thank you for the presentation. The board will now ask questions for clarification before opening the floor to public comments.”
The initial questions were straightforward and technical in nature. There were clarifications about materials, timelines, and specific preservation techniques. Isabella and Thomas answered each with confidence, their thorough preparation evident in the detailed responses they provided.
Then Grayson Williams leaned forward, his expression concerned. “Ms. Montgomery, your plans for updating the kitchen to commercial standards would require removing a significant part of the original layout. How do you reconcile that with preservation principles?”
Isabella anticipated this question. “The kitchen presents a unique challenge,” she said. “Its current configuration not only fails to meet health department requirements for commercial food service, but it also poses a significant safety hazard because of outdated electrical and gas systems.” She pointed the board’s attention to a detailed diagram. “Our solution preserves the kitchen’s original footprint and several key historical elements, including the brick hearth and the built-in cabinetry. However, it also reconfigures work areas to meet these modern health codes. We’ve talked to preservation specialists who have successfully modernized similar kitchens, including the Dillon House in Charleston and the Hambrie House in Savannah.”
Before Grayson could follow up, Thomas added, “I want to make sure it’s noted that the kitchen has already undergone at least three major renovations throughout the inn’s history, most recently in the 1960s. So what is there now is not the original kitchen, but a mid-century interpretation that itself modified historical elements.”
The context seemed to satisfy most of the board members, though Grayson’s expression remained skeptical.
The questions continued, with Vivian Pierce focusing particularly on the bathroom renovations planned for each guest room.
“Adding private bathrooms to each room is a significant departure from the inn’s original design,” she said. “Historically, guests would have had shared facilities at the end of each hallway.”
