The perks of being a Realtor
Over the weekend I went into the Kildare mansion...this time, with a camera. Andy and I were lucky enough to go inside once when Cedric was trying to sell some of his dad's classical records. Since it was his private residence at the time, we didn't get to linger for too long. However, now that it is unoccupied, we perused the house from top to bottom. I actually showed the house to a few people on the historic society in Huntsville. All of us are concerned who will eventually get hold of this place. Built in 1886 for James O'Shaughnessy, the house has been a summer home for the McCormick's, a hotel, various businesses, and even a massage parlor in the 70's. Despite the location, I think it would make a wonderful bed & breakfast. While I'm not too worried about the neighborhood, I know others might be. Whatever ends up happening to this house, I sure as hell hope that it won't be torn apart and sold piece by piece. It'll be a nail bitter waiting to see the outcome. The architecture on this grand home is elegantly elaborate and boasts such a romantic interior.
Any investors in LJ land?
Since there are over 50 rooms and 23,000 square feet of space, I'll do the best I can to organize these photos in a walk-through manner and save the details for the end. Because of it's sheer size and the time I had, I didn't photograph every room or much of the basement. It would take at least a whole day to truly document the house.
EXTERIOR
ENTRY
BALLROOM (to the left of the entry)
SUN PORCH (off of the ballroom)
FRONT PARLOR (to the right of the entry - has an informal entry from front stoop)
DINING ROOM (straight ahead from entry - connects to ballroom and front parlor)
KITCHEN & SERVANTS' STAIRS (to the right of the dining room)
BASEMENT (access is in kitchen, the stairs that lead down - bm sprawls the width of the house - has the original stove in what was once the 'main' kitchen)
LOUNGE (off of the kitchen)
SECOND FLOOR LANDING
MASTER BEDROOM (located left of the stairs coming up)
MASTER BATH (the doorway in the second pic is the closet which connects the red room)
RED ROOM (access through the master closet or second floor landing - in the turet)
SECOND FLOOR BATHS
* the second floor has at least 5 other various rooms
THIRD FLOOR (servants' stairs connect with main stairs leading to the 3rd floor)
*the stairs leading to the window exit to a fire escape and were most likely added when a business was there - yes, that's a kitchenette that looks out to the front lawn - the 3rd floor, again, has at least 4 rooms and another bath.
VARIOUS FIREPLACES (there was just about one in every room)
STAINED GLASS
CHANDELIERS (most likely not all original, but still make for a good photo)
TEXTURES AND WALLPAPERS
LITTLE DETAILS (lock - window pull - light switch panel
