Iconic Mansion may be Redeveloped

Radnor Township’s Historic and Architectural Review Board will review next month a proposal to redevelop one of Wayne’s most iconic buildings from a 25-unit apartment building into 12 condominiums.

According to documentation submitted to the township, the proposed work for the Louella Mansion, which sits atop Louella Court overlooking Wayne, is to “restore [the] existing building and build 12 2-car garages adjacent to the existing building.”

Developer Cas Holloway, who has developed two sets of condos on the south side of Lancaster Avenue – Steepleview and 102 Louella – is not yet equitable owner of the mansion, but is scheduled to be by the HARB’s March 2 meeting.

The proposal must go in front of HARB because the building is in one of Radnor’s three local historic districts.

Holloway told Radnor Patch that the exterior of the building would not be changed, save for needed repairs and sprucing up. The proposed 12 2-car garage structure would be attached to the mansion on its east side where there is currently a parking lot, garage and grass.

According to Radnor’s Historic Asset Inventory of 1988, the mansion was built around 1865 and was the home of J. Henry Askin, an early developer of Wayne.

Around 1880 Askin sold it to Anthony J. Drexel and George W. Childs, also developers of Wayne. In addition to being a home, it has been a school, hotel and apartments. The building has been added onto over the years.