Historic Clearwater Home Will Undergo Major Renovation

A 1920s property on North Fort Harrison Avenue is set for a transformation into four-bedroom short-term lodging.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Home Renovation

Screen-print poster illustration of a 1920s bungalow house with a porch surrounded by tropical palm foliage. — A 1920s historic home on North Fort Harrison Avenue in Clearwater is undergoing a major renovation to transition into a short-term lodging property. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local policies prioritize the rehabilitation of older buildings over new apartment construction?

Owner Frank Persechino plans to rehabilitate a 1920-built house located at 1620 N. Fort Harrison Ave. in Clearwater. The project will convert the historic structure into a four-bedroom short-term rental property.

Why it matters

The renovation addresses the maintenance challenges associated with aging housing stock in Pinellas County. By restoring the original residential appearance, the project aims to revitalize an older property while meeting modern market demand for lodging.

The renovation involves an estimated investment between $250,000 and $500,000 to gut the interior and restore the porch. The property will accommodate four bedrooms for short-term guests upon completion.

The players

Frank Persechino

He is the property owner managing the renovation project at the North Fort Harrison Avenue site.

The details

The owner intends to gut the interior of the home and reopen the enclosed front porch to return the building to its original residential appearance. An empty adjacent lot will be repurposed to provide parking for the new lodging site.

1920: The original house was constructed.
Current: Property owner plans renovations.

Culture Shift

This project highlights the growing trend of adaptive reuse in the Tampa Bay area, where developers are increasingly opting to restore vintage structures rather than clear them for new builds. It reflects a wider societal shift toward preserving historic architecture while adapting properties for modern short-term rental demand.

Residents and neighbors may observe construction activity on the site over the next year as crews work to rehabilitate the historic structure. Once completed, the property will function as a new lodging option, potentially altering traffic and local rental market dynamics in the immediate vicinity.

The takeaway

Restoring aging homes involves significant financial commitment and ongoing maintenance requirements for property owners. For those considering similar projects, success often depends on balancing historical architectural integrity with modern functional upgrades.