Architect-Designed Historic Winter Park Home Faces Demolition

The article explores a turning point for Winter Park’s architectural heritage as the nearly 70-year-old Merrywood House faces a potential demolition. It outlines the competing visions of preservation and redevelopment, the players involved, and the regulatory hurdles that could shape whether this large Rogers II-designed residence on Lake Osceola remains standing or makes way for new construction.

Significance of Merrywood House

Merrywood House sits on Lake Osceola in Winter Park. It is the largest home designed by the city’s famed architect, James Gamble Rogers II.

Built in 1940, this 7,000-square-foot+ Spanish-style estate rests on nearly four acres of lakefront. It features original tile, oak floors, decorative ironwork, and sweeping water views.

Today, the house is unoccupied. This adds urgency to the preservation debate.

Understanding its architectural provenance helps explain why preservationists view Merrywood as a cornerstone of Winter Park’s built environment. The home embodies the stylistic vocabulary and construction standards that Rogers II championed.

Architect and design significance

The design work of James Gamble Rogers II is closely tied to Winter Park’s mid-20th-century architectural identity. Rogers II shaped neighborhoods and landmarks that many residents now regard as irreplaceable.

Merrywood stands out for its size and for how it shows his approach to spatial planning and materials. The home also demonstrates how a residence can be integrated with a lakeside setting.

Historic status and features

Although Merrywood is listed as a historical resource, it is not on the city’s formal historic register. This means the Historic Preservation Board can only review demolition as an informational item and cannot block the project.

The home’s distinctive features—original tiles, oak floors, and decorative ironwork—are central to the argument that the property contributes to Winter Park’s historic fabric.

The Proposed Demolition vs Preservation Efforts

The main issue centers on a demolition request filed by the current owners, Raymond and Cathleen Gilmer. At the same time, Tara Tedrow, a local land-use attorney, filed a notice to encourage preservation-minded interest in the property.

Tedrow’s idea would split the lakefront parcel, allowing a new residence on half the lot while Merrywood would be sold to someone who could restore it. However, Winter Park’s comprehensive plan currently prohibits lakefront lot splits, which complicates any redevelopment plan.

What’s at stake and who’s weighing in

• Owners seeking to demolish Merrywood, arguing for a path to sale or redevelopment.
• Preservation advocates urging restoration and continued occupancy as a working example of Rogers II’s legacy.
• Friends of Casa Feliz, led by Betsy Rogers Owens and John Bill, who reference their 2001 campaign—raising over $1.5 million to move and save Casa Feliz—as a blueprint for saving Merrywood.
• City planners emphasizing the ban on lot splits to protect character and natural lakefront resources.
• Planning and zoning board and, ultimately, city commissioners, who hold the final authority on amendments and approvals.

Regulatory and Planning Context

The fate of Merrywood depends on how the city navigates planning rules and preservation goals. The prohibition on splitting lakefront lots was designed to safeguard the community’s character and natural resources.

This rule complicates Tedrow’s proposal. The planning and zoning board will consider an amendment in June and then send a recommendation to the city commissioners, who must approve any major change to the parcel’s use or configuration.

What preservationists emphasize

Advocates say that Merrywood’s restoration and continued use would reinforce Winter Park’s architectural legitimacy and cultural memory. They point to Casa Feliz—where community fundraising and stewardship preserved a landmark—and argue that a timely solution could secure Merrywood’s future.

Why this matters for Winter Park’s architectural fabric

The decision about Merrywood’s future shapes how Winter Park defines its identity. The loss of a prominent Rogers II residence would be felt not only in architectural circles but also among residents who see the home as a symbol of the city’s historic character.

The debate highlights how preservation requires collaboration among buyers, planners, and the broader community to recognize value, mobilize resources, and respect regulatory frameworks.

Key takeaways for preservation-minded communities

• Preservation often depends on a mix of regulatory tools, beneficial ownership, and public support.
• Historic resources, even if not formally registered, can shape a city’s identity and guide its future development.
• Clear steps for restoration, funding, and community involvement are essential for successful preservation, as shown by Casa Feliz’s example.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Historic home built by Winter Park’s famous architect could be demolished