WINTER PARK, Fla. \u2013 In the final week of June, the City of Winter Park is poised to set a major precedent for both lakefront development and historic preservation \u2014 or the lack of it. City commissioners will decide whether to give a local developer the green light to demolish the notorious Merrywood Estate.<\/p>\n
Merrywood, known for its Spanish-style design, is a creation of renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, whose work helped shape Winter Park\u2019s distinctive character.<\/p>\n
For preservationist Betsy Rogers Owens, the fight is personal, both for her profound appreciation of historic homes and because Rogers II is her grandfather.<\/p>\n
She says many of Rogers\u2019 designs helped create the charm that continues to attract visitors and support Winter Park\u2019s multimillion-dollar heritage tourism economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople do continue to flock here because they sense that je ne sais quoi. Winter Park has that historic patina they crave,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Development Plans Draw Concern<\/p>\n
Merrywood is currently under contract to prominent attorney Tara Tedrow.<\/p>\n
According to city documents and discussions at public meetings, Tedrow plans to divide the large lakefront parcel, build a new home on one portion of the property, and seek a preservation-minded buyer to restore Merrywood itself. <\/p>\n
But so far, no one has stepped up.<\/p>\n
Tedrow also inherited a demolition permit tied to the property, which triggers a 90-day waiting period, with preservation advocates using that narrow window to push city leaders to intervene.<\/p>\n
Winter Park\u2019s planning and zoning board already voted 4-2 in early June to allow Tedrow to split the lot, which is otherwise prohibited on lakefront properties. Now the Winter Park commission will have the final say on whether or not the demolition of Merrywood can proceed. <\/p>\n
The topic has sparked emotional debate for weeks during countless city commission meetings during public comment. <\/p>\n
\u201cFlorida is booming. People can build new houses in many places, but Winter Park has a unique and valuable heritage that needs vigilant stewards,\u201d one preservation supporter said during public comment.<\/p>\n
Historic Home Without Historic Protection<\/p>\n
Part of what makes the debate so complicated is that, despite its architectural significance and local prominence, Merrywood was never added to Winter Park\u2019s historic register.<\/p>\n
That leaves the estate vulnerable to redevelopment today.<\/p>\n
Preservation advocates argue the city missed opportunities years ago to formally protect properties like Merrywood. They also note that Winter Park offers limited financial incentives or assistance for owners and buyers of historic properties, making valuable lakefront estates especially attractive targets for redevelopment.<\/p>\n
Owens argues the situation reflects a long-standing failure to prioritize preservation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen many communities around Florida were getting smart about historic preservation back in the \u201980s and \u201990s, Winter Park stuck its head in the sand,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Decision Looms<\/p>\n
The final decision now rests with the Winter Park City Commission, which is expected to consider the issue at the end of June.<\/p>\n
Until then, residents, preservationists, and supporters of the estate continue making emotional appeals to save Merrywood from demolition.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs each older home of character is demolished, home values will decline,\u201d one resident warned.<\/p>\n
The debate has become about more than a single property. For many, it represents a larger question facing Winter Park: how much of its historic character should be preserved as development pressures continue to grow.<\/p>\n
The Commission\u2019s vote could shape not only the future of Merrywood, but also how Winter Park balances preservation and development on some of its most valuable lakefront land for years to come.<\/p>\n
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