Can the Heideloff House Still be Saved?

The property owners are looking to build a new, $2 million home on the lakefront. But they've said that they'd be willing to donate the home to neighbors who'd move it to save it from the wrecking ball.

Rehearing Denied for Historic Designation of Heideloff Property

But the owners of the home have offered to allow neighbors to move the home.

The Lakewood Planning Commission unanimously upheld its decision to deny the designation of the Heideloff property as historic landmark under the city’s ordinance. Last month’s decision ended in a split vote.  The home at 13474 Edgewater Drive was expected to be demolished to make way for a new $2 million lakefront home. But it may not be. The property owners, Michael and Stacey Semaan, would consider allowing the neighbors to move the home to save it, said James O’Leary, an attorney representing the family. “This house could be moved and the Semaans would be willing to donate it,” he added. “And why wouldn’t they? As long as someone wants to move it, and pay to move it, it saves them the cost of demolition and it keeps the preservation of…

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ian king

9:19 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013

To H.M. WElsch= glad you are reading my posts! ENJOY!   more ›

Lakefront Residents Form Overlook Park Neighborhood Association

Starting with just six members, the organization now boasts 167 members.

The idea that the Heideloff mansion on Edgewater Drive could be demolished initially prompted a group of residents along the lakefront to form a neighborhood association. But that was just the beginning. Starting with just six members late last year, the Overlook Park Neighborhood Association now has 167 members out of about 260 residents in the neighborhood it encompasses. The association includes the streets stretching from Nicholson to Belle avenues and is bordered by Lake Avenue and Lake Erie to the north. Gaynel Mellino, a resident of Edgewater Drive and president of the organization, said the idea of the neighborhood association came about because of the possibility that the Heideloff estate could be demolished. But the scope of the …

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ian king

1:14 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013

Hi DLSJR - not sure I totally agree a "modern" design would detract from this neighborhood. There are a lot of ordinary, Cape Cod style homes in this area - nothing special that one can't find in any Midwest suburb. I think Lakewood needs to have some modern/21st century architecture. It will contemporary the building stock that in many blocks of this city has seen better days! Remember, old …   more ›

Decision on Fate of Heideloff Mansion Will Have to Wait

Planning Commission defers decision that may designate the 98-year-old mansion a “historic landmark” under the city’s ordinance.

The Lakewood Planning Commission voted Thursday to hold off on a decision that would make the Heideloff mansion the city’s first residential “historic landmark” in Lakewood under the city’s ordinance. The commission made the decision without nearly half of its members in attendance. About 20 neighbors of the property did show up, and many of them tried to convince the commission to pass the designation Thursday to keep the 98-year-old mansion at 13474 Edgewater Drive from being demolished. The neighbors, not the property owners, submitted the paperwork to make the mansion a historic landmark. At odds is historic preservation versus private property rights. A law firm representing the Semaan family, which owns the property, had asked the …

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Owners of Heideloff Mansion Look to Postpone ‘Historic Landmark’ Decision

At odds is historic preservation versus private property rights.

The city’s planning commission is slated to meet next Thursday to decide whether to designate the 98-year-old Heideloff mansion a historic landmark under the city’s ordinance. Not so fast, say the owners of the property, who oppose the designation. The neighbors of the property — not the property owners — submitted the paperwork to make the mansion a historic landmark. A law firm representing the Semaan family, which owns the property, has asked the city to push back the ruling to “afford us to compile information.” “The Semaans did not imitative this process but now have to play catch-up,” according to the request from the Baker Hackenberg and Henning law firm, noting the property requires testing for asbestos contamination. “People could…

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maggie j robinson

9:11 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013

Many "historical" homes have been demolished for reasons that include parking lots. (not in Lakewood, necessarily). It seems that I agree with Dave's post. If you like it, want to keep it, BUY it. If you like the Cherry floor or the "soaring" staircase, then negotiate for it before the demolition starts. If the purchasers of this home bought it BEFORE it was designated HISTORICAL, then they need …   more ›

Heideloff Mansion ‘Eligible’ for Historic Designation

The city's commission must now vote on whether the property should receive the official designation, which may keep it from a wrecking ball.

The 98-year-old Heideloff mansion was officially deemed eligible to become a historic landmark per the city’s ordinance on Thursday night. But that’s not the end of the process. The city’s planning commission must now decide whether the property at 13474 Edgewater Drive should get the designation as Lakewood’s fourth-ever historic landmark. That meeting is slated for next month.  It doesn’t appear as if it will be an easy decision. At odds is historic preservation versus private property rights. The neighbors of the property — not the property owners — submitted the paperwork to make the mansion a historic landmark. The property owners, Michael and Stacey Semaan, then proposed to demolish the home. Dozens attended the city’s planning …

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Owner of Heideloff Mansion Looks to Demolish the Home

Meanwhile, neighbors are proposing to make the 98-year-old house the city’s fourth-ever historic landmark.

After neighbors recently submitted paperwork to make the Heideloff mansion on Edgewater Drive a historic landmark, the property owners have proposed to demolish the 98-year-old home. The owners of the home, Michael and Stacey Semaan, submitted paperwork to demolish the home at 13474 Edgewater Drive. That proposal will be heard at the city’s architectural board of review next Thursday. Meanwhile, neighbors are attending the planning commission meeting Thursday looking to make the property the city’s fourth-ever historic landmark. That proposal must first get the green light from the city’s planning commission in two public hearings. The designation means that demolishing the 98-year-old home would be next to impossible. Under the city’s …

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Heideloff Mansion Eyed for ‘Historic Landmark’ Designation

Neighbors — not the homeowners — submit a 20-page application to make the 98-year-old home a historic landmark.

The historic and well-known Heideloff mansion at 13474 Edgewater Drive may soon become the city’s fourth-ever historic landmark. But, it was the neighbors — not the homeowners — who proposed the idea. The proposal must first get the green light from the city’s planning commission in two public hearings. The designation means that the nearly 98-year-old home could never be torn down. Changes to the building’s exterior would also not be permitted. The planning commission will hear the proposal at next Thursday’s meeting. Under the city’s ordinance, the commission will host two hearings to determine whether the property — built by a prominent Cleveland industrialist Wilfred Sly — is eligible for the designation.  Neighbors, Mary Breiner and …

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Colin McEwen

10:34 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012

Ditto what Rick said. This is a Lakewood Historic Landmark — not NRHP. Thanks for posting, Charles.   more ›