The Evolution of Florida Victorian

The history of Florida Victorian Architectural Antiques is defined by a multi-decade “race against the bulldozers” to rescue Central Florida’s disappearing architectural history.

• The Sanford Roots (1981): Shuttleworth operated the initial version of the business for roughly seven years out of Sanford. However, DeLand—with its rich concentration of 19th-century Victorian architecture—presented the ultimate goldmine for historical preservation. Recognizing that valuable, historic structures built between 1880 and 1940 were regularly being demolished, Shuttleworth founded the business to step in before the wrecking balls arrived. His business model involves sometimes paying fees to contractors or property owners for the right to strip endangered buildings of their valuable components right before demolition.
• The Georgia Avenue Era (1988–2023): For 35 years, Florida Victorian anchored Georgia Avenue. It operated as a gritty, sprawling, multi-structure warehouse. It sat within 150 miles of the historic properties Shuttleworth stripped. In 1988, Shuttleworth purchased a property in downtown DeLand, Florida, in what was then, and underdeveloped industrial area, For years, the business operated out of the industrial pocket on Georgia Avenue in downtown DeLand. He recognized early that modern building materials could not compare to old-growth wood. The dense, termite-resistant Heart-Pine flooring and massive structural beams he hauled away became highly sought after by high-end architects and historic restorers. Over time, Shuttleworth used his property and neighboring spaces to intentionally cultivate a thriving local business community, renting spaces to young entrepreneurs, artists, and iconic local fixtures like Cafe DaVinci. This became the foundation of what later developed into the now thriving Arts District of downtown DeLand, with the Georgia Avenue corridor becoming the hub of culture, art, music and community for the town.
• Community Revitalization (2013): True to his vision of preserving local history through adaptive reuse, Shuttleworth took over a blighted, foreclosed 1900 home on Howry Avenue. Backed by a city grant, he transformed it into the “DaVinci Design House,” building an arts and entertainment district to drive pedestrian traffic to the historic core. His project laid the groundwork for an expanded arts and entertainment zone in DeLand. It created a pedestrian-friendly pipeline right next to his salvage yard.
• A New Era at “La Hacienda” (2024–Present): After more than 35 years on Georgia Avenue, the massive archive of salvaged heart-pine, stained glass, and vintage hardware moved to its current home. Housed in the Spanish Villa-styled “La Hacienda” complex at 319 E. Voorhis Avenue, the business continues to provide contractors and historic homeowners with rare materials while offering contracted restoration services. The warehouse changed from a raw, unorganized salvage yard to a curated historical archive. It serves a specialized clientele:
• Hollywood & TV Prop Masters: Sourcing period-accurate doors, windows, and hardware.
• Boutique Restaurateurs: Seeking rustic timber and old-world decorative ironwork.
• Historic Homeowners: Finding matching structural components to maintain historic designations.