In the heart of Pensacola’s Old East Hill—where wraparound porches tell stories of generations past and every creaky floorboard echoes with history—a 2nd Empire-style treasure is getting a second chance at life. Thanks to a collaboration between Chandler & Company Construction and Dalrymple Sallis Architecture, one of the neighborhood’s most distinctive historic homes at the corner of 6th Street and Jackson is being saved from the brink of demolition.
The home, a 133-year-old architectural gem, had been slated for demolition. But a timely conversation between Nannette Chandler, founder of Chandler & Company Construction, and Scott Sallis, partner at Dalrymple Sallis, changed everything. United by a shared passion for historic preservation, the two easily came to an agreement with ADoor Properties to purchase—and ultimately restore—the home.
“This wasn’t just about saving a house,” Chandler shared. “It was about honoring a legacy. This home belonged to a woman named Lola, and when we complete the restoration, we’ll officially name it the Lola Lee House in her honor. We are the third owners and it will soon be ready for its fourth owner—and hopefully many more to come.”
That vision resonated with Sallis, who added, “We didn’t just acquire a structure—we stepped into a story. Our job now is to listen to what the house wants to become next.”
Chandler & Company Construction is well-known across Pensacola for prioritizing thoughtful restoration over conventional remodeling. Chandler herself works to blend structural integrity with storytelling—preserving original hardwoods, revealing hidden brickwork, and protecting the historic integrity of homes that might otherwise be lost to time.
Each project, Chandler says, is approached with deep reverence. “We believe beauty isn’t just in what’s new, but in what’s remembered. There’s something sacred about honoring the hands that built a space more than a century ago.”
Sallis agrees—and brings his own legacy of care to the project. “I first met Nannette when the Lyter family brought us in to work on their historic home in North Hill. I was immediately impressed by the attention, craftsmanship, and care she brought to every decision. Partnering with her on this restoration feels like a natural extension of that shared commitment.”
The duo emphasizes that this effort is about more than restoring a single home—it’s about preserving the character of a community. “We see this as a project for Old East Hill, for Pensacola, and for everyone who believes in protecting the soul of a neighborhood,” Sallis said.
As renovations begin, neighbors and passersby will soon see scaffolding rising and hear restoration in progress. But what’s happening behind those walls is more than construction—it’s a commitment to craftsmanship, heritage, and stewardship.
Planning restoration is a passion for both Chandler and Sallis.In Chandler and Sallis’s hands, the Lola Lee House is no longer a home at risk. It’s a home reclaimed—ready to write its next chapter in Pensacola’s living history.
Follow the progress of the Lola Lee House on Instagram and Facebook at @olde2gold and @dalsalarch.
