Preservationists are trying to save a 120-year-old brick mansion that would be demolished as part of a proposed residential development in Wheaton.
The mansion, called House of Seven Gables, was designed by architect Jarvis Hunt and built in 1897 by steel magnate Jay C. Morse for his daughter, Caroline Ely, and her then-husband, Arthur C. Ely.
The developer, Pulte Homes, has declined suggestions from historic preservationists to save the House of Seven Gables by redrawing its development. Wheaton Historic Commission Chairwoman Nancy Flannery said Pulte could give up just two lots in its development to keep the mansion.
“I think we could work together to try to save the Jarvis Hunt house,” Flannery told the Wheaton City Council. “I believe that every single one of you up there wants to save this house. I don’t doubt that. I’m asking for a chance to work with Pulte.”
Pulte officials have offered to donate the mansion to anyone willing to relocate it from the property. Pulte’s lawyer, Vince Rosanova, said Monday that no takers have stepped up yet. However, Flannery told the council that she received more than 40 responses to an ad she posted on Craigslist to give away the mansion.
“Maybe there’s someone in this stack who can make me a happy person and save Seven Gables,” she said.
On Monday, the council unanimously directed its attorneys to draft a resolution approving preliminary plans for the 48-house subdivision targeting senior citizens.
The council is expected to take a final vote April 3 to formally approve the preliminary plans for Pulte Homes’ proposed Loretto Club subdivision. Pulte has a contract to buy the 15.7-acre Loretto Convent property at 1600 Somerset Lane in Wheaton from the Institute for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The order has owned the property since 1946 and previously operated a preschool and other activities at the site. Today, Loretto Convent largely is used as a retirement home for the nine nuns who live there.
City Council candidate Bobby McNeily urged the council to “marry a pro-growth agenda and also our history.
“I have been a big advocate for history in Wheaton, and other than our public safety concerns (and) our education concerns, which also draw people to the community, I think history does draw people to this community,” he said. “History provides a foundation upon which progress can be had.”
Councilwoman Suzanne Fitch said she would like to see more city-led initiatives to preserve the city’s history, noting that Wheaton does not have a historic preservation ordinance on its books.
Councilman Todd Scalzo told his colleagues that “I would love nothing more than to see the Jarvis Hunt (mansion) preserved.
“A lot of the ideas are great, but somebody has to step up, and I have not heard that proposal yet.”
Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.
