Winter Park Debates Historic Home's Demolition

In Winter Park, Florida, the future of the 87-year-old Merrywood Estate is under intense discussion. City commissioners convened a work session recently to consider a proposed amendment to the city's comprehensive plan. This amendment would permit the division of the lakefront property at 1020 Palmer Avenue into two separate lots. The property in question is the nearly 4-acre Merrywood Estate, situated on Lake Osceola.

The estate, originally constructed in 1939, has been issued a demolition permit following its inheritance by the owner's family. The family cited the home's unlivable state, including extensive deterioration and outdated systems, as reasons why preservation is financially unfeasible. The proposed amendment would allow lakefront properties exceeding 3.5 acres to be split, with specific frontage and minimum lot size requirements.

Concerns have been raised that the current regulations could allow for a house nearly 56,000 square feet to be built on the site. An alternative suggested by city staff involves allowing lot splits only for historic homes built before 1950 that have obtained official historic designation and preservation protections. As of the recent work session, no final decision has been made, leaving the fate of Merrywood Estate uncertain.