On January 17th, 2025 the Fay Jones School of Architecture & Design hosted their annual Alumni Design Awards and Winter Fest. David McKee, class of 1982, was recognized with wife Alice McKee with a Merit Award in Historic Preservation for his contributions to the restoration of the Richard and Alma Brothers Residence.
The Brother Residence was designed by E. Fay Jones in 1956. In 2022, McKee Properties purchased the property and began a full restoration of the property. As part of the restoration the gable roof was replaced for the first time in its 66-year history. Upon removing the original shingles, it was discovered that the decking needed to be replaced too. The roof was sagging into the rear patio and had to be structurally reset before it collapsed on itself. The The stone chimney was completely rebuilt with rafters and cross beams. While everything was being ripped out, the McKees ensured to maintain the roof’s jackknife edge and toothlike detailing under the fascia- a signature Jones element that’s repeated in the cabinets, countertops, and built in seating he designed.
A steel balustrade was designed to replace the original balcony’s wood railings that suffered wood rot. All electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems were either upgraded or replaced. Major site work was also undertaken to improve the surrounding landscape and protect the home from the elements.
McKee aimed to keep fundamental elements of Jones’ interiors—floor-to-ceiling windows and corner- butted panes, and natural materials like wood and stone, for example—while making minimal updates that would enhance the existing spaces for modern living today. The team updated the wood-paneled bathrooms, removing a "creepy" Jacuzzi and bidet to open up floor space and create room for a walk-in shower. For storage, local carpenters Russ Mavis and Johnny Ridgeway repurposed the corner cabinets salvaged when the McKees closed up the kitchen wall to regain the third bedroom.
The McKees also traded the damaged cork flooring throughout most of the home for linoleum in a blonde wood pattern. They skimmed and painted over the water-damaged foil ceiling but kept the wood trim that accentuates the surface. They converted the former music room into a dining space with a hexagonal table designed by Jones, and removed a built-in seat at the kitchen counter, replacing it with bar stools.
The restoration of this mid-century modern masterpiece in Fayetteville is a testament to McKee Properties LLC's dedication to preserving architectural history. The Brothers Residence, now thoughtfully restored, harmonizes with its natural surroundings, and preserves Jones’ design characteristics based on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian principles. The McKee family strongly believes that the residence is a treasure that was well worth saving.