Expressing frustration over a lack of information, Winter Park’s mayor suggested Wednesday commissioners could delay a final vote on allowing the property where the historic — but imperiled — Merrywood House stands to be split in two until they get some answers.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio told commissioners near the end of their regular meeting she wants Allison McGillis, the city’s Planning & Zoning director, to bring together the property’s interested buyers, its owners, historic preservationists and others involved in the ongoing issue.
“We don’t know what’s going on there, it’s very frustrating,” DeCiccio said. She asked if such a gathering could take place before commissioners take a final vote on the proposed comp plan amendment that would allow splitting the 3.67-acre lot along Lake Osceola. That vote is slated for during the Aug. 26 regular meeting, but DeCiccio said they could delay it until Sept. 9.
She said she saw nods of support from her four fellow commissioners.
Clarissa Howard, the city’s communications director, said Thursday that details of the meeting were being worked out and the mayor wants to hear all the information before she weighs in on the issue.
The Spanish-style home built in 1939 is the largest residence designed by the city’s famed architect, James Gamble Rogers II. It’s estimated fewer than 30 homes he designed remain standing in the city.
Orlando-based attorney Matt Morgan, who wants to buy all or part of the property and preserve the house, said by email Thursday he was pleased with the development. He works at Morgan & Morgan, the firm started by his father, John Morgan.
“I appreciate the Mayor’s wisdom in bringing all parties together before the next meeting,” said Morgan. “I’m also grateful to the City for coordinating this discussion and creating an opportunity for everyone to work collaboratively toward a resolution.”
An exclusive look inside Winter Park’s historic, imperiled Merrywood House
Tara Tedrow, the land-use attorney seeking the lot split so she can buy half the land and build a home on it, did not return emails seeking comment. She’s said she has a contract to buy a vacant portion of the land and has worked to find a buyer for the other part to save Merrywood. She has not revealed the amount of her contract.
Mick Night, of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, has consulted for about a year with the owners on selling the property and trying to find a buyer interested in preserving the house. He said by text message Thursday he had “nothing more to report at this time.”
Commissioners voted 3-2 in June 27 for the amendment tailored to apply only to 1020 Palmer Avenue. DeCiccio joined Commissioners Craig Russell and Kris Cruzada to pass it, while Commissioners Elizabeth Ingram and Warren Lindsey dissented.
Right before that vote, DeCiccio stressed Merrywood was doomed despite the community wanting to save it because no one had come forward to buy and preserve it.
But days later Morgan, who lives in Winter Park, came forward about the offer he made last August: $10 million for the entire property — and $5.5 million for the portion with Merrywood. Morgan made the offer to Night, who has said it was taken to the owners and “that wasn’t a number they were interested in selling the property for.” He added that at the time Morgan offered no clear path regarding its preservation.
Then on July 10, Morgan emailed the mayor and commissioners, Tedrow, Night and the owners about how he’d increased his offer to $12 million for the entire property and a pro rata price for portions of it. He said Tuesday he has not received a response to his latest offer.
“I will pay for the number of acres required to preserve Merrywood and Tara Tedrow can build her home on the remaining large lot. I will, at my sole expense, invest my own personal money to ensure the preservation of Merrywood and designate it historic,” his email said.
A view from the backyard of Merrywood, the 7,300-square-foot, 3.7-acre estate designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The fate of the empty villa built in 1939 is being debated by city leaders and preservationists who want to prevent its possible demolition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Siblings Cathy and Raymond Gilmer own the home and have a permit to demolish it, but have held off since last year while the search was underway for a buyer who’d preserve it. Cathy Gilmer has said Merrywood was her family’s home from 1976, when she was 6, until her mother died last year. The Sentinel has not been able to reach either for comment. She has told commissioners they plan to tear down the house regardless of whether they’re allowed to divide up the property.
Lakefront lot splits — which vastly increase a property’s value — are rare in Winter Park. The city’s prohibition against splitting them dates back to the 1990s and was put in place to protect community character and natural resources along the city’s lakes.
Without a lot split, someone could buy the entire property and potentially build a 55,991-square-foot house on the land under the existing city ordinance. The city’s largest house, just down the street at 916 Palmer Avenue, is about 40,000 square feet.
Betsy Owens, executive director of Friends of Casa Feliz and one of the people DeCiccio wants at the meeting, said Wednesday evening she thought the mayor offered a smart idea.
“If the city’s being asked to change the comp plan based on the idea that this house can’t be saved, that there’s no viable offer for it, and then someone who is a known quantity … has come forward and made a fair market offer for this property … they sure as heck don’t have to change the comp plan,” said Owens, the granddaughter of Gamble.