Tags
1929 Spanish Gothic mansion, architect Addison Mizner, Architectural salvage, La Ronda, stone Moorish arches
Olde Good Things, an architectural salvage company based in Pennsylvania and
Los Angeles, is selling salvaged architectural elements from the recently razed
1929 Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania estate “La Ronda”. The Spanish Gothic Mansion was
“the last commissioned Addison Mizner work north of the Mason-Dixon line.”
I first heard the sad story of La Ronda from All the Best‘s Ronda Carmen here.
Sadly, no one was able to halt the destruction of this historic mansion.
Just received news of the sale through their newsletter.
These salvaged cast stone gnomes were part of the
frieze detailing above…
Glorious cast stone Moorish style arches
buttressing stained glass windows…
Incredible vaulted ceiling and resplendent colonnade
of intricately cast stone window arches, stair rail, overdoor…
Detail of cast stone arch…
I’ve seen salvaged stone arches set into
a garden wall as a dramatic portal…
Stunning and unforgettable….
Coffered ceiling: 36 sections in very good condition as well as much
of the crown molding and molding that went between the sections.
This link here shows the process of removal of one of the arches.
Grateful for the efforts to salvage the architectural treasures, but
clearly a bittersweet, second best outcome…
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Click Olde Good Things for additional items or here for their blog…
Read the full story at All the Best
Also covered at Elements of Style here
Post mortum analysis here
Hi Trish…That is so sad that this beautiful building was dismantled….but at least some of this incredible architectural treasure can be salvaged! Perhaps it’s beauty will shine again…Thanks for sharing this interesting post!
Oh Trish!!! You came by! How did you find me? I so love your blog. I just found you while hunting for French style decor one day. I love your style as well! Please feel free to come by once in a while…..yes, we do share exactly the same style….relaxed, elegant, old world and such. Have a wonderful day, Trish!!
Anita
I feel real pain when I hear of tales of destruction and disrespect for the past. I live in the 21st century and appreciate all that is modern, going forward and clean and simple but can’t imagine that without constant reference to the past, looking ahead without peaking back. Very sad. Thank you for a great post that wakes us all up I hope.
Though I’m glad that the salvage is available, I crave more photos of the mansion before destruction. The complex composition of all the parts, the architect’s vision, should have been preserved in a book of photos. And can you imagine the people that filled this house!
Hi Trish,
I am glad your back!
This is always a sad story if beautiful historical buildings have to be broke down! Here in Belgium we have the same problem! So many beautiful houses are demolished to built ugly buildings ( mostly a huge building for so many as possible apartments)!
It is a shame!
So much beautiful elements here in the Ronda building.
xx
Greet
I should be focused on deciding on a toilet for guys showing up on Tuesday to update my son’s bathroom!!! XOXO
I always love your post …this one made me feel sad…
So much beauty cut into little pieces.
I know it goes on all the time.
Lee
I read about this from Architect Design in the summer and received a comment note on that post yesterday about LaRonda’s demolition. A tragedy and travesty. I can no believe this happened. The comment also went on to say the new owners of the now “LOT” should be condemned to social disgrace. I could not Agree More. G.
Aristotle said: “The whole is more than the sum of its parts”. That gallery with coved ceiling, collonade of arched windows…lost forever.
Always sad to see a beautiful building taken down but I am grateful for those who see the beauty in these buildings and salvage everything that they can. Sea Witch
it’s too bad the new owner didn’t just add on a contemporary wing and have the best of both worlds. What a terrible loss and lack of intelligent judgment.
Just read a post on Habitually Chic that also referenced Olde Good Things. Time to subscribe to their blog and newsletter. I know I’m going to enjoy following them.
We never seem to learn to honor our past. We need to grow some vision and some wisdom.The character who bought this house sounds like something straight out of Babbit. I hope all who make parts of this beauty part of their lives will be blessed with good karma. It could have all gone to the landfill.
Such a terrible loss. I went to Bryn Mawr College just down the road. I hope that in the cosmic scheme what the owners have done will come back to haunt them. I would love to have something from this grand home in my own home.
We have so few beautiful buildings in this country to begin with and what we do have seem to be far game to tear down — to me it is akin to cutting down a beautiful old growth tree of several hundred years old… heart breaking really.
Joanny
This is such a troubling story…when I lived in Montecito I was neighbor to Mizner’s fabulous Casa Bienvenida which is also in the Mediterraneans style and I think there would be some kind of violent revolt in Santa Barbara if anyone ever tried to destroy this grand estate. I can envision people chaining themselves to columns and fixtures as the bulldozers roll up. This is such a sad and great loss. I recognize many of Mizner’s signature features–there is a ceiling at Casa Bienvenida which is similar to the one you show although rather than being arranged in square grids it is fashioned in a honeycomb pattern. Casa Bienvenida has amazing grounds as well with one of the most magnificent Italianate Renaissance gardens I have ever seen. Please tell me that at the very least the gardens and grounds at La Ronda have been preserved? ~jermaine~
Thanks for adding to the Mizner info, Jermaine. Unfortunately, I don’t think the new owners cared to preserve anything.
this story was so crazy – some people don’t deserve to be homeowners!!! welcome back!
Hi Joni…worrying about my globe trotting daughter kept me attached to the computer hoping for a “I’m alive email”. (yes…she’s alive, albeit without her suitcase for 2 days). I was excited to get the email about the salvaged parts, and yet it’s still so sad. I could even imagine saving just that gorgeous gallery…imagine the dinner parties in that room…as an extension to a new home. Forget buying art and hanging it…that whole wing was art.
Unbelievable! Really really a shame!
What a nice post, love to discover story’s like that, saving things is my favorite. I am going to explore more on this matter know.
David