Two Become One For Lilly, O'Toole & Brown

The personal injury law firm is located at 815 State Road 60 E. in a building the firm built about 12 years ago, said Kent Lilly in an e-mail to The Ledger. About three years ago, the firm needed more space so it bought and renovated a home next door.

Since then, lawyer Howard Kay and his staff have occupied the 1,200-square-foot original building while lawyer Angela Pulido and her staff have occupied the renovated 1,500-square-foot space.

Construction is now underway to join the two buildings with a nearly 1,700-square-foot structure that will include a reception area, conference room, office space to accommodate lawyers visiting from the firm's other locations, rest rooms and storage.

The addition will face Center Street and there will also be additional parking.

The architect on the job is Tom Finnell, based in Lake Wales. Lakeland-based Scott Paul is the contractor.

Finnell said the most challenging part of the project has been the approximately 5-foot difference in elevation between the two buildings.

The new portion will be at the same height as the original building. It will be connected to the renovated home with stairs and a lift that will allow for handicapped access.

Finnell said he is excited about what the finished product - expected to be completed in August - will look like.

"We've generated a structure that will be pretty homogenous," he said. "I wanted the buildings to work together."

Lilly said the project cost is about $400,000.

[ Contact Chambliss at 863-802-7533 or rachel.pleasant@theledger.com ]