10/20/2025
Well friends, this will either make you livid, or break your heart. We sold this gem about 17 years ago after much work and money to get it off the city’s condemned structure list and save it from demolition. We had not been back to that town since selling several properties there. At the point this one was sold it was for the most part, a skilled DIY project. Many of the new electrical and plumbing runs were done, structure stabilized, roof, exterior, porch and handrails in good shape, primed and ready for a nice multi color paint job. We left a booklet of what had been done, projected next steps, stacks of trim and lumber, and multiple boxes of plumbing, electrical, and hardware. Very skilled Father and Son team that had worked with us on several restorations were just two blocks away and wanted to continue working here for the new owner. He met with them once, then crickets. The new owner supposedly knew everything about everything about historic buildings and their restoration. We thought we had done everything we could to leave this grand old girl in good hands. Have no idea if it’s the same owner or several different people since we sold it, and doesn’t matter, it’s just so disappointing to see it this October in this condition. Catastrophically deteriorated, all stained/leaded glass gone, entire spindle and fretwork porch gone, I would imagine the beautiful walnut curved staircase is missing, and it’s open to the weather. What was a feasible amateur restoration on a manageable budget nearly 20 years ago has sadly progressed into now requiring massive resources and money beyond the reach of most that would like to see her saved.
I know it’s his house, he paid us cash, it’s long time ago, and it’s certainly no longer any of our business, he can do what he wants- but all those rationalizations didn’t keep me from being too sick to stop for lunch…..