Kindler, Paul, House
Also known as: The "Castle"
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Known locally as the "Castle," this 2½-story house at 1520 East Olive Avenue in Fresno was built in 1928-29 as the home of Paul Kindler, a German-born brick mason who became one of the city's leading masonry contractors. Designed by architect Richard F. Felchlin, it follows French Norman sources within the Period Revival style popular in 1920s Fresno. A round turret entry, textured stucco over a brick base, half-timbering, a terra cotta cornice and a wood shingle roof define the exterior, while the interior features Philippine mahogany trim, tile and scrolled brick. Kindler laid brick and terra cotta on many major Fresno buildings, including the Bank of Italy and the Fidelity Bank Building, and the terra cotta motif above his front door matches the one on the Fidelity building. The house remains largely unchanged, with only minor modifications, and is one of the few residences produced by the Felchlin firm. Later owners included Alfonso Borrelli, founder of Perfection Macaroni Company.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the finest examples of 1920s revival architecture in upper-echelon Fresno, drawing on French Norman sources. It was built as the personal home of Paul Kindler, a leading masonry contractor on most major Fresno commercial buildings of the 1920s, and it displays his brickwork and terra cotta skill. It was designed by the Richard F. Felchlin firm, for which it is one of few known residential commissions.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82000965, listed October 29, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1520 E. Olive Ave, Fresno |
|---|---|
| County | Fresno County |
| Listed | October 29, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82000965 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1928-32 |
| Architect / builder | Kindler/Felchlin |
| Architectural style | 1920s Period Revival, French Norman influence |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in excellent condition, unaltered and on its original site; used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 36.75725, -119.79183 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82000965.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133260685
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.