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Just across from Venetian Gardens, a short walk from downtown Leesburg, Palmora Park holds the grace and charm of another era. In the 1920s, ’40s, and ’50s, it was the city’s crown jewel—where citrus executives and well-known families built grand homes beneath sweeping oak canopies, with Lake Harris sparkling just beyond their porches.

It was a neighborhood people were proud to call home. And if you ask Leesburg native Ryan McCabe, it still is.

“Palmora Park was always seen as Leesburg’s premier neighborhood,” Ryan says. “There’s so much charm here, and I think people forget that. My hope is to remind and inspire them.”

Ryan, who also serves on the board of trustees for Beacon College, has taken on that mission quite literally. In 2019, he bought a house in Palmora Park and began restoring it as his forever home. Then, he set his sights on a neighboring property—a 1920s cottage that had been sitting empty for nearly a decade.

“It was really beyond repair,” Ryan says. “The foundation was shot. There was no water or AC for years. But I loved the lot and had this idea to rebuild something new that looked like it had been here since the 1940s.”

So, with care and intention, Ryan tore down the dilapidated structure and began building a new 3-bedroom, 4-bath home from the ground up. The result is a 2,642-square-foot craftsman-style beauty that pays homage to Palmora Park’s golden era—with solid oak doors, high ceilings, tall trim, and that unmistakable 1940s charm.

“If you’re driving by, I didn’t want it to scream ‘new construction.’ I wanted it to look like a classic home that had been renovated—but with all the modern comforts inside,” he says.

That blend of old and new is exactly what makes the house stand out. Behind the historic-style facade are quartz countertops, sleek appliances, and custom finishes that bring the home into the present day—without erasing the past.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” Ryan says. “You’ve got the craftsmanship and character from the 1940s, but with the modern efficiency and conveniences.”

Ryan built the home as a spec house, meaning he didn’t have a buyer in place at the start—but he did have a vision. And while the house is now completed and up for sale, it’s also served a larger purpose: to ignite a spark in the neighborhood.

“My hope is that this inspires other homeowners and even developers to think creatively and respectfully when investing in Palmora Park,” he says. “It’s such a unique neighborhood. There’s no HOA, so people can really express themselves. You’ve got homes from every decade, each with their own story. It’s not like more modern subdivisions where all the homes look the same.”

As for the ideal buyer, Ryan believes it’s someone who appreciates that uniqueness—and who wants to be part of something bigger.

“I think this home is for someone who’s already in Leesburg, or who wants to be here and be part of the downtown revitalization,” he says. “Leesburg is really going through a renaissance right now. You see it in the restaurants, the college, the shops. Palmora Park is like the residential arm of all that growth. It’s close enough to walk, bike or even take a golf cart downtown.”

Ryan has had a front-row seat to that progress, not just as a local but also through his residential construction company, High Riser LLC, which partners with Nichols Construction Services. Together, they’ve been identifying empty lots or distressed properties in historic neighborhoods across Leesburg, Wildwood, and Lady Lake and breathing new life into them—one thoughtful rebuild at a time.

“It’s all about reinvesting in these communities,” he says. “Cities don’t grow from the outside in—they grow from the heart out. Main Street is the heartbeat of Leesburg and neighborhoods like Palmora Park are its soul.”

And while Ryan’s architectural preferences may vary—his personal home has more of a mid-century modern flair—his commitment to honoring each neighborhood’s spirit remains the same.

“This particular house needed to look like it belonged, so we took inspiration from the homes already here,” he says. “We included a raised foundation, solid brick and wood, clean lines, a front porch and a craftsman style from the ‘40s that’s just timeless.”

But perhaps the most meaningful part of this project is what it represents: a vision for what Palmora Park—and Leesburg—can be again.

“I think people forget how special it is here in Leesburg and in this neighborhood,” Ryan says.

For those interested in owning a piece of that vision, Ryan’s Palmora Park home is available for private tours and purchase. He’s selling it independently and is happy to share more about its story, its features and what it means to him.

“It’s more than just a house, It’s a statement. It just needs a little attention and the right kind of investment,” he says. “I’m hoping it’s the first domino in bringing this neighborhood back to what it once was.”

To schedule a private showing or to learn more, contact Ryan McCabe at ryanjacobmccabe@gmail.com or call 352.409.7495.