From kicker to fixer-upper: Former Jaguar Josh Lambo's fabulous midcentury home renovation
It’s always intriguing to see the places that professional athletes and other celebrities live. While many of them may gravitate toward real estate in order to diversify their portfolio (with a lavish lifestyle to perhaps grow a personal brand), some of them actually want to find a place to call home.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo fell into the latter category. In 2020 he was seeking a forever home when he purchased a spacious midcentury modern property along the St. Johns River for $1,275,000. Lambo lived there for four years before selling it on March 16 for $2,175,000.
Built in 1970, the 4,066-square-foot home was already lovely, according to Lambo, but it just didn’t quite reflect his personal aesthetic.
He decided to embark on his first home renovation project.
“Some midcentury modern design is pretty sterile,” Lambo said. “The house was really well-done and beautiful, but it wasn't to my taste.”
Windy City meets River City
Just the third owner in the home's history, Lambo slept on an air mattress his first night in the new abode. Since the seller was reportedly not fond of a conversation pit in the home and had it filled in, that was Lambo's first project to tackle for renovation.
Within 24 hours of taking occupancy, he was tearing up carpet to restore the pit. His changes to that area alone included adding a bookcase that also serves as a hidden door, searching for months to find the right light fixture, removing a wall to maximize the view and turning another into a feature wall.
That element was inspired by a similar feature wall created by an Italian artist for a residence in Chicago, where Lambo grew up. The Windy City also played a role in a piece of artwork Lambo had commissioned for the home.
The painting depicts Chicago icons the Blues Brothers, as portrayed by "Saturday Night Live" alums Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, who originated the characters.
"That was the first artwork I ever had commissioned, and it's by an artist out of New Orleans," Lambo said. "I'm absolutely in love with it and will cherish it forever."
The Pinterest project
Utilizing what he called "an extensive Pinterest board," Lambo conducted meticulous research to find the perfect materials, finishes and fixtures for his new home. He had the flooring replaced with poured concrete, which keeps an air of modern luxury while also serving a practical purpose — it's easy to clean.
While Lambo took a hands-on approach to some of the demolition required for the project, most of it was left "to the experts," as he put it. The tongue-and-groove ceilings — with exposed I-beams painted the same moody dark gray as the exterior — were among the details handled by Eastern Shores Construction. Based in Atlantic Beach, the firm is responsible for the new Iguana on Park, Southern Grounds Avondale and the renovation of the Hotel Palms, an historic 1947 motor court.
Lambo's mother was staying with him for a time during the renovation, having a desire to get out of Chicago for a bit. Then COVID lockdowns went into effect and her visit was extended.
"The Eastern Shore guys were awesome with her, and she ended up staying until the project was complete," he said. "She really helped me learn how to be a homeowner, and it was a beautiful dynamic having her here."
While he had hoped to redo all the bathrooms and bedrooms, he was unsure after his release from the Jaguars in 2021 how much longer he would remain a First Coast resident.
"Four years, that's the longest I've lived in any one place since I was a kid," he said, adding that he first left home at age 14 when he enrolled full-time in a soccer residency program. "My mom is really into numerology and the number 4 [his jersey number with the Jaguars] is my 'life path' number. It's very significant to me."
The new owners, a pair of doctors, kept many of the Restoration Hardware furnishings — and the piano, which came with the house when Lambo originally purchased it. Now on the road most of the year, he simply doesn't have a place to put it.
Where is Josh Lambo now
After his time with the Jaguars, Lambo spent a brief spell with the Tennessee Titans before he retired from the NFL for good last year. Having never missed a field-goal attempt at EverBank Stadium until 2021, while coping with an injury, he was one of the most successful kickers in franchise history.
His career high came in 2019 when he completed 33 out of 34 field goal attempts for Jacksonville, including four at more than 50 yards. He also completed 19 of 20 extra point attempts. Due to his work with Fur Sisters animal shelter of Jacksonville Beach and the North Florida School of Special Education, he was the team's 2020 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
These days, Lambo is living rather like a vagabond, traveling across the country as a motivational speaker and success coach. He's also visiting plenty of friends and family members, something he didn't have much time for while playing in the NFL.
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Once he decides to settle somewhere, he hopes to build a new home from the ground up.
"I learned a lot from that house, and I hope I did it justice," Lambo said. "I know what I need and don't need ... definitely not as much space. Whatever happens, it will be nothing short of spectacular."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Ex-Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo nails first home renovation
