"Among these are the entrance doors, seen here in 1870, which will supposedly be replaced by similar [sic] copies."

I don't understand: if they're being replaced with "copies," why not keep the originals?

One of the main attractions to any town, esp. a walkable one like Wayne is maintaining the charm and character of it's antique architecture. Some developers have architects on their staff that work with an historical researcher. This should be the case with the Louella building esp. given that it is the oldest building in Wayne. Radnor Township should insist that a historian evaluate the worth of maintaining the original woodwork, moldings, etc. It's not just the building itself that needs preservation, it is the town of Wayne. One these old gems are gone, the charm disappears too. They are treasures.

What exactly does HARB enforce? Their mission is great and they have meetings, but what is it all for?

People all over the world flock to experience the charm of many Europeans cities. Why? Because they preserved the architecture of their past, just that simple. The same thing happened in a town like Cape May, NJ. Upholding the importance of historical architecture is not just about preserving the past, but is a force in keeping a town financially-profitable in the long term. If the original charm and character of Louella Mansion is maintained in the new architecture, and historical elements are salvaged and incorporated, it has a much better chance of remaining profitable, not just as sought-after condos, but as a contributor to the overall financial success of an historic walk-able town like Wayne. Wayne really can't afford to let a treasure like Louella just disappear. It really requires careful historical consideration, and historical researchers should be involved in any restoration/remake of the building.

It seems either HARB or Radnor Township should be insisting on salvaging as much as possible of the original woodwork, doors, windows, moldings, etc. Perhaps the developer just doesn't have the historical expertise, although they must be applauded for trying to please so many factions on a project of this importance and scope. Perhaps Radnor could step up to cover the costs for the historian architect/consultant to work with the developer and with HARB. There are probably even local expert restorers in our area who would be thrilled to take on the salvage/restoration aspects. (They could be present at the upcoming historic home show in Valley Forge this spring). As we all know, copies of historical architectural elements can never be the same as salvaging and restoring the true antique architectural articles that can probably not even be made today (w/o even greater cost). Salvage companies pay very good money for this type of architectural detail BECAUSE they know they can get top dollar for authentic restoration of genuine, antique architectural pieces. Let's hope someone comes to their senses, and reigns in losing the most valuable authentic architectural aspects of this restoration. The developer may not realize it now, but within their lifetime they will reap the benefits of preserving everything they can of this gem of a building. And Wayne will win for another century or more for maintaining authentic building elements. Once they're gone; they're gone.

During his first visit to the Mansion, YESTERDAY, the architect, who has been involved in the project for more than a year, told a Court resident that he hadn't been in the building before and that he thought it really was beautiful!

Still in place are the patterned marble floor visible here, the outside doors (the inside double doors were replaced by a single door with side lights fairly early), and the decorative hinges. There are wood and marble details throughout the building; most of the original fabric is still intact, including interior shutters, window frames, marble mantels, crown molding, baseboards and transom windows, though little is publicly known about how much of that will be kept and how much will be put in the trash.

Maybe, he thought it was beautiful, but when he's done with it, the inside of that building won't look anything like what he saw yesterday. Neither, will the grounds, nor the neighborhood. The building will look the same, from the outside, though. ??? Did HARB win, compromise, or fold???

What is the point of having a historical building look like new? People should start a petition to "Save the Louella", all the salvageable architectural details should remain in the renovated building. Even if you own a building, you can't buy the history of a town. History belongs not just to the past, or to those in the present, but to future generations also. And, it is beyond price.

Anyone who thinks that restoring and incorporating the actual, antique architectural elements in an historical building like the Louella Hotel would NOT be an enormous selling point for refurbished condos is dreaming. People interested in living in an historic building will be thrilled to know that their condo has original architectural elements incorporated - windows, floors, mantels, woodwork, etc, even if some elements had to be carefully removed, restored, and reincorporated. Condos that restore and maintain original architectural details, esp. within the center of an historic town like Wayne, will be THE talk of the town for decades. Really.

"Save the Louella" is an excellent idea. We've been in touch with the PA Historical & Museum Commission, Radnor Historical Society, Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and others, all to no avail. It seems the developer isn't interested in preservation. Louella Mansion is a very important piece of Wayne's history and it is going to be altered forever.

We want the beauty of the Mansion restored not butchered. This has more comments than most Patch postings! Maybe our year long 'process' to support the best future for Mansion is getting traction. Thanks for the support everyone. We didn't think you were listening.

Louella Court, Why is there another HARB meeting after the project has been approved by the BOC?

I saw the replacement shingles on tv. They look nice. Is that a slate roof on the building now? If it is, too bad if it goes in a dumpster.

I think those are the same kind of phony slate shingles on the pseudo-mansard roof section of the old Opera House (above Cole Salon and Spa). They look cheap and fake. Come on, Mr Holloway, why can't you just spend the money (you have more of it than God) and do things the proper way?

Reply

The town of Wayne AND the developer really has to WANT to save their architectural history because they both will be the losers if Louella is turned into a "new" building with nothing left of it's real history, charm, or character. Oh, money will be made because the land itself is valuable, but the long-term, irreplaceable (truly priceless) value will be lost. Real value is in identifying and treasuring UNIQUE elements whether they are historical or artistic, as true connoisseurs of art and architecture are well aware. Will we throw away our real wealth, and exchange it for the ease or convenience of cheapened, pseudo trappings of short-term value? Sometimes, the antique charm of history cannot be improved upon. It is in perceiving where our real wealth lies that we become truly rich, not only literally (because historically preserved buildings are intrinsically more valuable), but figuratively in the eyes of all those who acknowledge, appreciate, and cherish our shared cultural heritage. WE all treasure our past, or WE lose it altogether.

Most prople know REAL when we see it. Authenticity... we like it in buildings and people, too! No discusion about the plans for the building were permitted in the first 4 HARB meetings. The Mansion is will be the second item on the March township HARB meeting agenda. Here is the link for the agenda and a description of items to be discussed.

http://www.radnor.com/egov/docs/1330111584_414398.pdf;

Historic and Architectural Review Board - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 7:00 p.m.

2. HARB 2012-05 40 Louella Court, Wayne – Exterior renovations to include:
(1) enclose porches on West end of building;
(2) remove existing coal chute basement access; remove two existing at grade windows, and remove existing “Bilco” basement access on North side of building
(3) relocate and replace two windows on North side of building
(4) Applicant will also discuss/disclose additional renovations not applicable to HARB approval

We encourage everyone to attend.
We helped a neighbor move this weekend. The doors, stone, etched transomes, windows, floors, molding, shutters (interior and exterior) etc. are authentic and could be restored beautifully. It is the grade of a Fairmount Park house. Kind of a museum, right here in Wayne.

The TOWNSHIP of Radnor has to want to save the architectural history not just the town and the developer. I believe the citizens do want Louella Mansion to be saved from destruction. We can’t replace the charm once it’s gone. We can point to the renovated condominium and demonstrate what it used to look like but the intrinsic history of the building will be lost. The mansion has been renovated over the last 100 years covering up clues to the early mansion’s rooms; however, the original materials remain in the doors, staircases, floors, etc. How exciting it would be for a true restorer and lover of history to uncover this relic of Wayne’s past. Sadly we see no effort being made by this developer to recover that history even though there are tax advantages and modern research methods would probably discover many facts.

In Cape May, a developer has to comply with the terms set by the ordinances of the historical review. It is the ONLY way to save the historical integrity of an entire town and area. Citizens will need to voice their concern in safeguarding the cultural heritage of their area. Why isn't anyone listening? If the building has vast amounts of architectural elements that can be salvaged, why wouldn't the historical review board be championing them? Why have an historical review if developers can just ignore their expertise? Something doesn't compute with this entire project. New initiatives should be forwarded. People need to speak up esp. those in positions of authority and expertise who genuinely believe in the value of safeguarding and preserving architectural gems.

I worry about how much the town (the BOC and zoning in particular) really listens to suggestions made by subcomittees such as this. The committee which worked hard on the Wayne Business Overlay District specifically called for preserving the ability and ease of "walking to Wayne" along Lancaster Ave from Aberdeen Ave west. Commissioners overwhelmingly (perhaps unanimously?) voted to exempt the new Rite Aid from this. Rite Aid was given an easy peasy green light to build what will soon be a horrific plastic and plaster blue big box store with a massive parking lot AND drive through lane where the Blockbuster and Taco Bell are. Traffic is already hazardous at that corner with the junk-food mall in place. So little foresight.

Why gop up the center of Wayne with big box stores? This is everything that is wrong with America today. Keep the big ugly box stores out of walkable towns! We are losing whole towns and treasured small businesses left and right to big corporate, cookie-cutter monopolies that overrun towns, and destroy their UNIQUE character. Louella is a perfect example. Now, we are allowing a magnificent building to be turned into another blah, ho-hum, factory-produced, psuedo fake reproduction of itself. It really is time to wake up, and reclaim a life worth living by saving a town worth treasuring. NOW!

It is so great to hear your comments! We couldn't agree more. I guess you saw that a bunch of us are appealing the Zoning determinations. Why have rules if you bend every one, every time? Radnor spends time and money defining the Wayne Business Overlay District and then ignores what the community has agreed upon. We spend years getting the Historic designation and the system is so manipulated that it is a waste. How could anyone say the building is in such disrepair that the development is necessary when we have codes and inspections. Crazy!
We can end up looking like Cape May or like other unnamed towns (you have the visual) crowded, plastic and unpleasant. If this can happen here, it can happen to you, too! Thanks for your comments we appreciate your support and would love to have a larger group participate!

Isn't the existing structure itself the result of a huge renovation and addition? The original structure was just the core of the present structure, without the wings that now make up a very substantial part of the structure. So, the end porches, the stone stairway, the coal chute, etc., etc., none of those features are "original."

The building was built in 1867 &1868, the addition was done sometime near 1880. That is original enough for me. Comments?

You either get it or you don't! Bright and shiny vs authentic with character. Your fingernails aren't original. Your adult teeth aren't original. JUST SAYING you seem to be very familiar with the project. That is good.

A large amount of the exterior of the building is going to be made out of or covered with FYPON, molded urethane millwork. This is according to the plans available for the HARB 3/7/12. There isn't much in the plans but that detail is.

Maybe the developer is considering salvaging architectural elements. Certainly, they would add to the value of any restoration, and enhance rather than detract from any new uses for the building. Why is so little known about the plans? Hasn't the Historical Review Board noted salvageable elements in the interior and exterior: doors, windows, floors, mantels, marble? Why is so little attention being paid to the oldest building in Wayne? Just can't fathom this building and it's original architecture just slipping away as if it were ... trash? Dumpster material? What is happening?

Having an inventory of salvageable architectural elements of historical value in a building of this age and significance, and presenting them with recommendations on preservation to the developer seems a reasonable and appropriate response for HARB to undertake in this instance. Perhaps many, if not all, of the recommendations would be considered and implemented by the developer. It might prove impossible to maintain any historical integrity throughout the town of Wayne without some guidance and leadership in why and how to preserve historically-significant architectural buildings.

Our experience with the developer has not indicated any interest in the preservation of the building's elements. He is only considering copying the doors and shutters at the insistence of the Board of Commissioners.

I am embarrassed by the Louella Court neighbors behavior through this whole process, the overall claim that the process hasn't worked is ridiculous, every board this has gone before has encouraged or insisted on revisions to the developer's plans, mostly based on the neighbors concerns and at EVERY turn changes have been made to that effect. The real problem here is that some of the neighbors believe they own the mansion and it's surrounding property, they don't, they had an opportunity to team together and purchase the property, the saying, "put your money where your mouth is," rings true here. This developer is a good man with a good track record, there is nothing positive or genuine about the approach or tactics of the neighbors, the hypocrisy is at an all-time high.

I know that this comment is going to annoy some of you - but I feel compelled to say this. I love this town, I do - having lived here for more years than I care to admit and I have seen issues, fights, etc - I have seen many of you come and many of you go.......and what really, really, really gets to me is that claim to be interested in history and all that - but what you are really doing, in my very humble opinion - is trying to legislate TASTE.

You do not know own the property - it is not for you to determine what and how it is used, aside from safety concerns, and maybe traffic. If this guys wants to put in a nudy bar/laundromat - then so be it - We really are starting to overreach ourselves here.

Frankly, I am getting tired of this policing of people and their homes, while hiding under the guise of preservation - your beauty may be not what everyone else wants..........

Sorry to be offensive, but i have been thinking about this for a really long time.

Sorry, but taste has nothing to do with preserving the unique. As American towns disappear with chain stores and restaurants all selling the same merchandise, WE become more bored and boring. Throwing away the original in favor of the reproduced is not about taste, but authenticity and the thrill of "experiencing and witnessing" real history in it's peculiar and singular setting. Mr. Calloway, in purchasing the oldest property in an historical town, should expect and probably welcomes feedback on his proposal especially given that he is a good man. Perhaps, now that he has the specs and architectural drafts for a reproduced-historical Louella building, maybe he will consider building Louella Two on a piece of property not of historical value on the perimeter of Wayne, and commit to the historical preservation that the original Louella Mansion deserves. Surely, he will benefit in the great success of both properties in addition to the town. We won't have to be worried about ordinances for bed and breakfast establishments when Wayne is turned into a town of reproductions of once-historical buildings, and chain-store operations that are already present in every-town-USA. Successful towns worldwide maintain their uniqueness including their historical heritage; otherwise, why bother visiting them? Why not choose the exciting dance of being an unusual and treasured Wayne, PA, and advance down a road NOT taken by most US towns? What DO we have to lose?

Well put - but surely you see just how difficult we make it for business people here? We need business commerce to take the tax burden off of the residential home owner. 40 years ago - Walter Annenberg with Triangle Publications, Sun Oil, Wyeth - they made it possible for us to flourish as we do now.......We have oversized homes on undersized lots and I am not seeing people staying around as they used to - so what is it that is keeping people from choosing to stay here?

Most of the revenues of national chain businesses, while they have their place and contribute to taxes, leave the local economy. A town like Wayne would be more business-profitable if it attracted small business owners who live locally whether that is a unique restaurant, or one-of-a-kind store selling unique locally-made or grown products. The notion of a global economy is only truly successful for those at the top of the monetary system. It is only if revenues stay in the community that a town has a chance of prospering. This IS why small towns used to be able to make it; they didn't have to compete with national chains. But, small towns can commit to educating their citizens on supporting the local economy, & seek out and attract small business owners with tax incentives especially within walkable towns like Wayne. Box stores & national chains are 5-10 minutes away; they are already easily accessible. One way to ensure that revenues stay local is to maintain unique historical properties; they always attract visitors to admire them/or plan house tours/lectures. Art venues also attract visitors. These visitors are then supporting other local merchants. Meanwhile, oversized homes should be subdivided into twins, and outfitted with sustainable energy manufactured & installed by local entrepreneurs. The myth of a global economy for most middle-class Americans needs to be unveiled for what it is - a myth. Take a look at:

http://www.the350project.net/home.html

I understand the fear of Wayne becoming too commercialized, I am curious how Jane or anyone else feels about the redevelopment of the ACME property, on one hand I see top-name vendors but I also see a genuine threat to stores like Wayne Sporting Goods, etc. I just don't see the problem with a private property like this being modernized internally while the outside is restored, the building will be brought up to code and the windows, doors, roof, etc. will be modernized while maintaining the architectural integrity. The neighbors continuously shift their focus at every turn, now they "genuinely" care about a porch on the side of the building that virtually no one sees, especially no one on the court. The overall spirit and integrity of the building will not only be maintained but it will be improved, with no other suitors interested in the project this is the best opportunity for the property to be restored to it's former glory. None of the surrounding neighbors have done a thing about the upkeep or integrity of the mansion but they used the history of the building to get the historical designation for the district so they could try and gain control of this particular property. No one wants a big construction project in their front or back yard but once this is finished it will be beautiful and it will add to the neighborhood. The most storied building in Wayne should not be falling apart, it should not be a slum.

Any chain business in Wayne will not contribute to the uniqueness of Wayne, nor add significant revenues to the local economy, and will probably threaten local owners of similar stores. How many chain businesses do we really need or want or is even useful? Can we drive 5 minutes to experience one, and keep Wayne itself and its businesses special? The Louella project should be in consultation with historical restoration experts that have local historical knowledge and preservation expertise. Modernizing an antique building is admirable, but should involve salvaging as much as possible of the original architectural elements, and incorporating or reutilizing them in carefully considered new ways. They have value in their originality vs. reproduced copies of the antique. They really can't be viewed as insignificant or improved upon in regards to preserving the architectural and historical integrity of the building. Anyone truly hoping to restore the building to its former glory would be wise to consult with historical preservation experts like we have here in Wayne at the Historical Society. They would not be steering anyone to consider means of restoration that would not be beneficial to all involved. They would know what can be preserved, and how best to restore the building.

History is what it is. We either preserve or destroy it, but we cannot redefine it.
Statistics are also what they are; they are not opinions.

Thanks Jane, we couldn't agree more!The Mansion has always and still does deserve the best treatment. That is was allowed to go with no maintenance in the last year is dissappointing. We are still working to get the best outcome for the Founders house.
James, We are still wondering how you could be embarrased by our actions. If must be tough being you. You are missing some details that are significant. We trust the Pennsylvania Museum and Historic commmission's judgement about this building & district more than your opinion. The Mansion never went on the open market. We spoke with several developers and at least 1/2 were/are interested but won't touch a property under agreement. I suggest you take a look at the videos to see what actually happened or maybe your are just interested in spreading your bad mojo.
As mentioned above it must be tough being you.

We found the discourse between you both interesting, though. We think it is time for us all to think more seriously about what we want for our town.

Excuses, excuses. I am embarrassed as a resident of Wayne, I've lived here my whole life and the behavior of some of these neighbors is sickening, I have watched the meetings and followed the discourse on Patch, your behavior and approach is disingenuous, now you mention that the mansion never came up for sale on the open market, as if you or any of your cohorts would have done anything about it, after all you've lived in the area for awhile, did it ever occur to you to approach the owner? The comical aspect of this is that you site my supposed bad mojo, when it is the negative vibes of the residents that has consumed this process, I watched Susan from the Court recommend underground parking as opposed to the above ground garage (which I didn't agree with either given it's large footprint) in one of the earlier meetings only to then watch her complain incessantly about it once the developer went in that direction. Obviously the township and all of it's boards see the need for this project to proceed considering it has won approval at nearly every stage and it has done so while taking into consideration the needs and desires of the neighbors. The process has worked just not to the neighbors liking, that is because the neighbors want nothing to happen, god forbid the aspect of the district that makes it noteworthy receives some real attention. I am thrilled the project is going to proceed, hopefully all of the neighbors will find some peace once construction is complete.

James is spot on, none of the home owners gave two cents about the renters until this came up. Now they expoit them by putting the renters children's photos online?
Perhaps they could move the renters into to their homes instead of using them to try to get sympathy?
Jane,
Very few people that come to Wayne to Eat or Shop visit any historic properties or care much about them.
The vast majority of people who live in Radnor Township leave here because:
1) Close to where they work
2) Good schools
3) Good access to Blue Route if they commute
4) Grew up in the area/relatives live in the area
5) Lower taxes than many places with these features (but we are raising taxes as fast as we can lately so this may change)

The same people who fight progress are happy to enjoy the increased value to their homes...

I think Holloway should stop trying and let it fall apart; the neighbors sure won't pay one cent to fix it up to "restore its glory".

Well said, Frank - you really captured how I feel, too - another life long resident.

Where can we sign the petition to "Save the Louella"? I would even contribute one cent or two when signing the petition to "restore its glory" by maintaining its authentic history. Keep Wayne special; keep it real.

Terry, we love the idea! We'll post information later today, please check back.

Thanks

As stewards of the community, shouldn't the Township guide appropriate development that is in the best interest of the community; particularly something that is not by-right and requires significant variances and special conditions to be a legal use that may severly impact the residents, the neighborhood, the environment, and other social/political/economic qualities? LC and other Louella supporters are doing a great service by creating awareness and attempting to appropriately guide the decision-making process of the Township, as it is clear that Twp. staff needs help and guidance making such decisions. In the past, I have noticed that there is often a disconnect between the supportive groups of the community and the Township. The groups create the awareness and present the facts, and seems it is rarely conveyed or acknowledged by the Twp. Maybe this time it'll be different

The Louella Mansion isn't just any development. It is the oldest and most prominent landmark building in a town center that has an historical designation, and much of the architectural interior and exterior is authentic, intact, and salvagable. It is wonderful that so many people are concerned and care about its historical significance given that it is truly irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind, and has been a communal treasure for centuries. Citizens themselves are often well aware of what is in the best interest of their own community. Maybe they need to petition in order to be truly heard. Township officials are not the only stewards of communal history. History is shared among all citizens of the past, present, and future.

It will be a travesty is we lose the real history of the Louella Mansion. Watching it get turned into a fake reproduction of itself will feel like a wound every time we look at it. All the emphasis on a planned garage has taken the focus off the lost history of the building itself. Just can't understand how this building is slipping away. Something really is wrong when the real history of the oldest founding building in an historic town is foresaken for a pseudo-plastic reproduction of itself.

It was encouraging to hear Mr. Holloway at the recent HARB meeting (3/7/12) invite the Radnor Historical Society into the Louella Mansion for a look-around. Also, happy to hear him say that original exterior doors to the Mansion will be repurposed as accent pieces in the newly refurbished historical condos along w other items of architectural significance: molding, floors, interior doors, mantels.
Just wondering if all the roof cornices are being removed (to be replaced w/ replicated PVC plastic cornices) couldn't the original cornices be restored, once removed, using modern architectural preservation-quality wood filler (such as they have at the VF historic home show)? Rotted areas can be chiseled out, filled, and restored w/ modern conservation applications, mediums, and paints. Mr. Holloway might be pleasantly surprised by the # of volunteers (through the historical society) who would be willing to volunteer their time to help restore the original wooden cornices (w/ the proper training). Also just wondering if Pella windows can fabricate new custom windows, couldn't they also make new custom interior storm windows while the original windows that are salvagable are restored? There might just be willing volunteers to restore the original windows as well (again w/proper training). People may not be able to purchase a luxury historical condo in the restored Louella, but they might be proud and happy to participate in its historical restoration.

"for a building of its age, Louella remains remarkably intact. One of its greatest original features are its windows, some of which reach to the floor, typical of the Second Empire style of the 1860s and ’70s. The windows are all the more remarkable when one considers that it was from these that Mr. Askin watched his town grow 140 years ago. Windows are a major character-defining feature of any historic building, as outlined by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and even local groups: the Lower Merion Conservancy has just listed historic windows as their township’s #1 most threatened historic resource. Many do not realize the historic and environmental benefits of preserving windows, especially in light of incentives that falsely pronounce replacement windows as more environmentally conscious. The studies are in: replacing windows is far more wasteful than restoring them, and replacement detracts from a building’s historic character in a way that can never be regained" [from Preserve Louella's Historic Character, Radnor Hist. Society, 4/20/11].
Finally, if the slate roof shingles are also being removed (to be replaced w/asphalt) couldn't they also be cleaned up (old tar removed, etc.), and reused over new roofing tarp materials. Surely, 130 year old shingles have already stood the test of time. If some are too damaged, couldn't they be replaced with new slate? Historically appropriate materials are just such a vital part of a true historical building.