Tippett Hall
If you like architecture and history, then there are some potential jobs that just make you drool. The possibilities represented by the recent gutting of Tippett Hall as reported on August 17, 2007 by the San Diego Union-Tribune is one of those things.
The story reports the sad fact that: “The 1937 Colonial-style mansion with 10,000 square feet, nine bedrooms, 7½ bathrooms, leaded glass, chandeliers, a sweeping staircase and inlaid floors installed by Swedish craftsmen has been gutted.” And now, the property is back on the market. The asking price? A cool $76 million dollars.
While nobody will comment as to just why the house was gutted, San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Roger Showley discovered that “owners sometimes hope that by erasing historic value, they can increase the value of their property. Retaining key portions of the structure also can sometimes preserve previous nonconforming conditions for future construction, such as height, setback and lot coverage.”
All that aside, wouldn’t it be just a glorious job to restore the old mansion to its former glory for a new, loving and appreciative owner? I think so!
The opportunity present given the mansion’s current state means that new, energy efficient technologies could be blended with restoration techniques to produce an accurate, but much more efficient building for the new home owners, and the residents of Del-Mar, to enjoy for decades to come.
Also exciting: “Bruce Coons, executive director of the Save Our Heritage Organization, said he accidentally found items salvaged from the Tippett home at a Barrio Logan junkyard. He marveled at the old-wood doors, leaded glass panels and other luxurious appointments built into the home 70 years ago.”
That leads one to wonder: What would we find if we really put out the call for artifacts from Tippett Hall to be returned?
What a delicious project!
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