Robert Bruce Barbour House

The Robert Bruce Barbour House, also known as Casa Feliz (Happy House), is a restored Spanish farmhouse designed by architect James Gamble Rogers II, overlooking the golf course in the heart of Winter Park, Florida. It is one of Rogers' best-known residences. In 2000, in order to save it from destruction, the city of Winter Park moved it to its current location at 656 Park Avenue North in Winter Park. On December 31, 2008, it was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places.[3]

Casa Feliz Historic Home
LocationWinter Park, Florida, USA
Coordinates28°36′9.6″N 81°21′3.8″W
Built1932[1][2]
ArchitectJames Gamble Rogers II[1][2]
NRHP reference No.08001244[3]
Added to NRHPDecember 31, 2008[3]

History

In 1932, Robert Barbour, who owned a company that manufactured chemical dyes, asked James Rogers to design him a home. The house was completed in 1933. The Barbour family frequently hosted community events at their house, including the Spanish Institute of Florida's annual party-giving it the name Casa Feliz in the 1960s. In 1951, the Barbour family sold the property and in 2000, the City of Winter Park acquired the building.[3]

Design

Rogers created a gracious residence, with large public rooms. From the entrance hall one may enter either the living room or the library. The living room opens to a garden on one side and a courtyard on the other; the dining room also opens to this courtyard. Along the garden front is an arched loggia that connects the living room, entrance hall and library. The home also features a dramatically arched porte cochere.

The interior of "Casa Feliz" affords the visitor rooms that have been refurbished to their original condition. The living room has a vaulted ceiling with massive hand-hewn beams. The public spaces of the house are the living and dining rooms, library, courtyards and detached garden room (formerly the garage). Typical James Gamble Rogers II details include the majolica-tiled interior courtyard and fountain, arched doorways and a circular staircase.

The exterior of "Casa Feliz" and grounds feature rich textures of original Spanish roof tiles and whitewashed century-old bricks, a turret, a bell tower and a heavy timber balcony detailed in colors of the Mediterranean, lush landscaping, intimate courtyards, sweeping oaks and native plants contained by ancient clay amphoras.[4]

Recent history

Originally the house stood at 656 North Interlachen Avenue bordering one of Winter Park's lakes with the garden front of the house facing the lake. It stood there for about seventy years. In 2000, the then-owner began to demolish the house. The City of Winter Park acquired the house and relocated it 900 feet to city-owned property.[3]

Casa Feliz Historic House Museum

The Casa Feliz historic house museum has a permanent exhibit that focuses on the life and works of architect James Gamble Rogers II. The estate has been restored to reflect its original 1930s appearance and serves as a Winter Park and Orlando wedding venue.

References
  1. Winter Park Historical Trail
  2. "Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum".
  3. "Weekly List Of Actions Taken On Properties: 12/29/08 through 1/02/09". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-01-09.
  4. "Garden Front - Casa Feliz". January 10, 2007 – via Flickr.
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