One House Profile: 4008 Fairview Avenue
Assisted living nurse and vacant property rehabber, Elva Belton, purchased what she calls the “zombie house” at 4008 Fairview Avenue. She and her team reanimated the massive, decaying property into an elegant eight-bedroom home.
When Belton first entered 4008 Fairview, her first thought was of its spookiness. Then she looked beyond the initial horror movie appearance—an enormous, dark shell with a jungle of overgrown weeds—and noticed the property’s structure. “The key was, when I walked in that house, there was no water damage on the first floor. The second floor had water damage. But I said, okay, I can work with this,” says Belton. “It did not scare me. I felt it had some good bones left.”
"I was very excited just to be able to renovate it and show them that this street, this block could be beautiful."
The property once sat on One House At A Time’s Immediate Sales list, having not sold at auction. It was such a problem property in the Concerned Citizens of Forest Park neighborhood that Baltimore City’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) considered demolition. But eventually, Belton, under her property development company Gateroad LLC, acquired the building after placing a $2,500 offer. She says she didn’t even know the house was suggested for demolition until after she purchased the property and spoke with neighbors. “I was very excited just to be able to renovate it and show them that this street, this block could be beautiful,” says Belton.
As owner and operator of Always Caring Assisted Living, Belton intended to transform the large property into a secondary assisted living residence. But zoning for assisted living residences demands extensive requirements. Unfortunately, the renovation plans for 4008 Fairview didn’t quite meet the criteria. So, she decided to keep it as a single-family property. Since it was such a large-scale project, she also faced challenges staying within budget. “Everything is doubled…That makes a big difference, requires more funding,” says Belton. “But once I have something in mind, I don’t get discouraged. I said, this is my goal and I’m forging ahead.”
"Even though it’s tough, things might be challenging, we can do it."
And forge ahead she did. 4008 Fairview Avenue now beams at neighbors and passersby with brilliant white siding and a well-manicured lawn. The interior includes wide stairways, an open concept kitchen/dining room area, and an extra-large bathroom (originally designed to accommodate seniors) on each of the three floors. “When I walked in and saw [my contractors] ripped everything out and it looked so beautiful, it did my heart well because I know someone would enjoy living there,” says Belton. She says the neighbors are also excited about the finished product. “The community loves the design and say it uplifts the block.” One neighbor even said they wanted Belton and her team to renovate their house.
Despite the setbacks and the massive undertaking of 4008 Fairview Avenue, Belton is full of pride and awe at what she accomplished. She saved the zombie home from demolition and, from its good bones, created a beautiful housing opportunity. “It was quite a job,” she says. “I am really happy to put this [story] out there so others can see that even though it’s tough, things might be challenging, we can do it.”
