New Update: Thank you for all of your emails. The 'reported' new owner is Joseph D. Kestenbaum President and Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Marsh Hawk Capital Management, LLC. I can not confirm this to be true, only hearsay. UPDATE - You can also email admin@savelarondanow.com Also an interesting article.
For months I have been following the fate of La Ronda, a Spanish Gothic mansion and the final work of architect Addison Mizner. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, La Ronda is a grand example of Mizner's work, not often found in the northeast. It seems that La Ronda is the latest victim of the tear-down-build-big-using-labor-saving- techniques trend, and I for one am just sick over this travesty.
The 18,000-square-foot mansion was sold by Arthur Kania this past March to a 'nameless' owner for $6 million. The current owner of La Ronda plans to demolish the historic mansion to make way for a contemporary home. Yesterday a permit was handed over and demolition is set to begin in 30 days. Benjamin Wohl, a 41-year-old Florida developer offered the owner a 6 figure sum to buy the mansion and move it to another property, but the offer was refused.
Last week, the building's previous owner, Arthur Kania, emerged to claim inside salvage rights to the building. Kania, who retains salvage rights to the contents of La Ronda, will now begin removing valuable materials from the house. Please encourage Mr. Kania to negotiate a deal that would transfer his salvage rights to Benjamin Wohl. This may be the last hope for saving La Ronda.
To learn more visit the Save La Ronda website. I have no problem with someone building a new 'contemporary' home, but I do have a problem with destroying historic property. Perhaps, we as a community, can help in some small way. Direct comments to savelaronda@yahoo.com. All comments will be forwarded to Mr. Kania.
