New York State Sale...
Very exciting. This large home was built by a dealer of English Antiques, starting in 1912, but only after he had spent 2 years traveling through Europe, searching for material (architectural antiques), which he then shipped back to the U.S., to be used in the construction of his home. An article in the New York Herald in 1914 tells of the "home built entirely of imported materials, things from the 17th, 18th, and 19th century." His clients included Pulitzer, Guggenheim, the Waldorf Hotel, etc. He was also a big game hunter with many contributions to The American Museum of Natural History.
The home was later sold to Gerald Swope, the President of The General Electric Corp. While living there, Swope was selected by Forbes Magazine as "one of the 20 Most Influential Individuals of All Time". Swope later donated the entire property to a preservation group. The preservation group maintains the entire property (82 acres) and all the buildings. Like so many others, that organization has found it very difficult to handle the continuing increases in maintenance expenses plus utility expenses. Before things get too far out of hand, the group has decided to release its hold on the home, which it rarely ever uses.
They have talked to us about finding ONE buyer for the salvage rights to the entire building. That purchaser would probably have until the winter to remove everything they wish. The Group hopes to not go through another winter maintaining the building. With all the antique elements, at and around the property, we plan to be looking at proposals in the 6-figures. If we can't find that ONE interested party, then we will probably have a sale, for all the individual items, in late summer. It took us about 3 hours, last weekend, to get to the property from suburban Philadelphia.
If you have serious interest in this property (the salvage rights, not the real estate), call 610-389-4994 and ask for Kevin.
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