1890 Gilded Age Mansion Needing New Location

This 1890 gilded age mansion is located near the inner city where its value is depreciated in its urban environment and the economics of maintaining it on its current site are prohibitive. It can be disassembled and moved to a complementary setting permanently preserving the beauty of this historic architecture.

James W. McLaughlin was one of the most important American architects during the second half of the nineteenth century. With his contemporary Samuel Hannaford, McLaughlin dominated Midwest architectural scene until the turn of the century. Between them, they split major establishment governmental, institutional, commercial, and residential commissions. McLaughlin gave definitive form to the numerous cultural and public institutions developed during this highpoint of prosperity, creativity, and influence. McLaughlin had a distinctive stylistic personality, and was innovative structurally and functionally.

McLaughlin’s designs were recognized as a functional and structural model for its day. His designs  reflect his bold approach to conventional styles. He was also responsible for designing several of the earliest “skyscrapers” among many commercial structures throughout his long career. McLaughlin gave a handsome personal twist to the design of virtually every building he was responsible for, but his best and most characteristic surviving works are in his version of the Richardson Romanesque style stripped to its most basic geometric forms, with minimal ornament demonstrating an innovative approach to materials, particularly cast-iron and architectural terracotta.

McLaughlin also designed many other commercial, institutional, educational, religious, transportation buildings, and residences,  He was prominent for over 50 years as one of the most skillful American architects.

Most of the other houses we are offering for relocation are internally damaged by years of use as rooming houses, nursing homes, abandonment and vandalism.  Interior reconstruction is a big job.

However, Richardson Romanesque I is in a different class, in pristine shape internally, and is a much more complex disassembly, relocation, and reconstruction effort.  The house and its interior is a gilded era art work.  Presidents McKinley and Taft would have been quite comfortable here.  Everything specifically attached to the house is included .. stained glass, chandeliers, staircases, door and window frames, mantles, etc.   Other items of furnishings such as book cases, armoires, paintings, tiffany lamps, tables, pottery, etc. would be available in separate negotiations with the owner of the house.

We only work on mansions that are endangered with deterioration and demolition. With professional disassembly, these houses can be reconstructed precisely.  We exhaustively laser scan the building for precise measurements, and use RFID item tagging for inventory management.  Every stone and recoverable stick would be replaced in its original position.

Details

Property ID
402500

7
Bedrooms

8
Bathrooms

Square Footage
6700

Lot Size
1

Year Built
1890

Style
Romanesque Revival

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