Historic Annie Beck House renovation reaches 90% completion as final work continues in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Restoration work at the historic Annie Beck House in Fort Lauderdale is nearing the finish line, with approximately 90% of the project now complete.

The renovation is taking place at the house in Middle River Terrace as part of an effort by the City of Fort Lauderdale and Encop, Inc. to improve and preserve the historic property. Only a small amount of work remains before the project is expected to be finished.

The remaining activities include final landscaping around the property and new pavement markings for the parking lot. Those final steps will require a temporary closure of the parking lot at Middle River Terrace Park.

The parking lot is scheduled to close for about five hours beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, September 25. During that time, limited parking will be available along the south side of the park entrance and exit at NE 7th Avenue.

City officials noted that the schedule could change because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Residents and park visitors are being asked to be patient while crews complete the final work.

The current project follows an original renovation plan announced in July. The work was designed to address both the appearance and structural condition of the Annie Beck House while also dealing with drainage and moisture issues around the historic building.

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Several improvements have been made to the exterior. Crews have worked on the porch and deck, restored portions of the façade and repainted and resealed the original windows. New rain gutters were also included in the project to help redirect stormwater into a new retention area.

Work inside the house has involved repainting the interior as well as sanding and refinishing the interior flooring. These improvements are part of the broader effort to restore the property while maintaining its existing character.

Another part of the renovation has focused below the house. The crawl space has been regraded, and a vapor barrier is being installed to improve drainage and reduce moisture beneath the wood flooring.

The project was originally scheduled to run from June through November 2026, with construction activities planned Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The schedule remains subject to changes caused by weather or unexpected conditions.

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Residents have generally been warned to expect some minor and intermittent noise while construction is underway. The original notice stated that no traffic impacts were expected from the project, and access to Middle River Terrace Park was not expected to be affected by the construction.

Safety remains a concern around the work area. Visitors and residents have been asked to stay away from active construction zones, follow posted signs and use caution while crews are working.

With the renovation now approximately 90% complete, the temporary parking lot closure will allow crews to finish another of the project’s final tasks. Landscaping and pavement markings are among the last remaining items before the work at the historic Annie Beck House can be completed.

The city apologized for any inconvenience caused by the project and thanked nearby residents and park users for their patience as the restoration moves toward completion.