The sale of a vacant 1925 Lake County mansion that’s become a magnet for photographers, curiosity seekers and vandals was greeted with optimism Friday by town leaders, who are eager to see the historic icon revitalized.
“I think it’s a beautiful thing to be brought back to life,” Howey-in-the-Hills police Chief Rick Thomas said. “It’s an iconic symbol of our town.”
The 7,188-square-foot, Mediterranean Revival-style house in Howey-in-the-Hills was built by the town’s founder, William Howey. It had just one other owner, a Chicago heiress who lost it in a mortgage fiasco, before Nationstar Mortgage of Dallas acquired it in 2015 — the same year the former owner died.
The 20-room Howey mansion was listed for $480,000 but sold for more Thursday after just nine days on the market. There were more than 10 offers, Realtor Lori Wall said.
She would not disclose the purchase price or the buyer’s name.
“The person is intending on restoring the property and working with the city and doing some type of events,” she said.
Officials of the town, population 1,260, said they’re hopeful.
“Properly done, I think it will be a great source of economic development,” Town Councilor Ed Conroy said.
Taxes last year were nearly $13,000 on the 3.63-acre site, which includes the five-bedroom 5 1/2-bedroom house with three fireplaces, a two-bedroom garage apartment and a maintenance building.
That figure would rise if the property is spruced up and increases in value, bringing more money to town, county and school coffers, according to the Lake County Tax Property Appraiser’s Office.
“It’s a good thing if they have the right intentions and restore it beautifully,” said Peggy Clark, chairwoman of Howey’s Historic Preservation Board.
Conroy wanted the town to buy the mansion, which he said was being offered for a bargain price, but others on the council balked, saying it was too expensive and needed repairs estimated to cost $1 million to $2 million.
If there are no problems with the lien or title searches, the closing likely will be toward the end of May, Wall said.
The land, in a residential neighborhood, would have to be rezoned if the new owner plans a commercial use. Potential buyers previously mentioned creating a high-end restaurant, wedding hall or meeting venue.
Mayor Chris Sears said a historical zoning category would be a good solution as long as the needs of residents are taken into consideration along with the desires of the new owner.
“We’re hoping everybody can work together,” he said.
When the house was young, former President Calvin Coolidge was among Howey’s prominent guests. Howey, an innovator in the citrus industry, was mayor from 1925 to 1936 and ran unsuccessfully for Florida governor in 1928 and 1932.
To celebrate the completion of the mansion, Howey in 1927 hosted the New York Civic Opera Company, which included 100 artists. About 15,000 people came to hear them perform, according to the town.
The mansion cost $250,000 to build and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
But time and neglect have taken their toll. The windows are boarded up now to deter trespassers and vandals, some of whom scaled the wrought-iron fence, climbed onto the roof and broke second-floor windows to get inside.
The inside of the house is generally in good shape, those who have seen it said, although a safe was pried from a wall in the master bedroom, causing some damage, the police chief said.
A beautiful pond remains in the backyard, which once included acres of private gardens, Clark said. The former owner sold off some of the acreage, which remains undeveloped.
“It’s an exquisite example of something you rarely see in Florida,” Clark said. “It’s one of the biggest jewels in the state, but it needs tender loving care.”
sjacobson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-540-5981