Logo by wearestamp.co.uk. The Money Pit was one of the most ornate mansions in the county and quickly became The talk of the town.. Lisa Johnson Mandell is an award-winning writer who covers lifestyle, entertainment, real estate, design, and travel. I think its very appropriately priced now, says Kirschenbaum. and materials, not the installers, are faulty, which the defendants weren't aware of. The mansion at 450 Gulfshore Blvd N. sits empty after John Sebo found numerous problems after moving in including rotting wood, mold and air leaks. water intrusion through the windows and doors; ? It remained a funeral home for about 20 years, before being converted into a meeting hall and later turned into apartments. Published: 11:12 EST, 9 January 2017 | Updated: 07:07 EST, 15 December 2017, The Greek Revival-style mansion in central Florida has remained empty for decades as it costs too much to restore it, Photographs taken by an urban explorer reveal the decrepit state of the property, which was once the 'talk of the town'. FAB BEACH VIEW! No expense was spared. 'Paranormal investigators who have explored the home say they have heard noises, seen orbs, and felt cold spots,' the urban explorer said. "We didnt realize how bad it was, Rich Makowsky told the New York Times. Its also possible that buyers were dissuaded not by the homes price, but by the other fees that went along with it. Well, it turns out that the state is full of legends of pirates and hidden loot, and you dont have to be a kid to check them out. I-75 Exit 123 Corkscrew Road, head west 2 miles, cross U.S. 41 and continue on Corkscrew Road approximately 1000 yards to entrance of park. 70, in the Mountain Lake community, the Mediterranean. A former rental building, The Apthorp was purchased in 2007 by a developer for a whopping $427M, and Recently transformed into condominiums. Parties at lavish mansions like this one are what inspiredF. Scott Fitzgeraldto write The Great Gatsby. Fitzgeralds fictitious West Egg was located on Long Islands North Shore, just as the Money Pit mansion is now. Unparalleled privacy within the lush courtyard featuring koi ponds and waterfalls around a 2,400-square-foot black-bottomed pool. a large amount of glass that exceeds the allowed percentage under the Florida Building Code's energy efficiency code; ? While buyers may assume that updates and renovations will improve a house, thats not always the case. Please leave your comments below. The Money Pit: Busting The Myth | MoneyUnder30 Credit Cards Best Credit Cards The Best Credit Cards of 2023 Best Rewards Credit Cards Best Cash Back Credit Cards Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards Best Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards Best Credit Cards For Young Adults Best Credit Cards For College Students After perusing the before and after of the Howey Mansion, check out these other abandoned places in Florida. "It took three years to complete at a cost of 20,000. Media Drum Ltd 2016. They told The New York Times their purchase was like life imitating art. Yes, there have been authentic pirate treasures found in Florida. The Jacobsons are accused of breaching their duty by failing to disclose defects and Paul Jacobson is accused of violating building codes; Mike Shipley and Shipley Homes, Neubek, Tansey, Twin Windows, Omni Track, RLK Construction, and Wiegold & Sons, are accused of negligence; while Shipley, Neubek, Wiegold and RLK also are alleged to have violated Florida Statutes, including the 1997 Standard Building Code. It is rumored that by following a dry channel in this area, one can find a giant mound, more than 100 feet long. It first landed on the market in 2014 for$12.5 million, more than twice todays price. The Money Pit house selling at a loss has to do with both the size and styling of the house, says Fields. But the so-called 'Money Pit Mansion', located in central Florida, has lain empty for decades as the house costs too much to restore to a liveable state. Why would I condemn it?''' Over the years, the price has been reduced to$9.8 million, to $8 million and then $6.9 million, and finally, to$5.9 million, where its currently listed. Market Analyst | Team Harborside | teamharborside.com Yes No. While the house is certainly beautiful, its just not the look that many buyers are shopping for.. Built in 1908 by a Georgia lumber tycoon, the enormous 11,000 square foot mansion is made entirely of mahogany wood. Pinterest. It remained a funeral home for about 20 years before being converted into a meeting hall. for lack of care or maintenance ? "In the heart of Florida sits this impressive neo-Classical mansion, known as the Money Pit Mansion. Designed by Katharine Cotheal Budd, a pioneering woman architect from New York, the 20-room, 7,200 square foot mansion was built at the cost of $250,000, around $3.2 million after inflation. STUNNING pictures have revealed the hidden beauty of an ornate abandoned Mahogany house known as Money Pit Mansion complete with a 20K grand piano. In the late 1700s, a local teenager took notice of a strange indentation in the ground, so . The Money Pit: Tom Hanks & Shelley Long Buy a Fixer Upper. Why now is a GREAT time to sell, Andrew Oliver Left empty to decay for several years, the Money Pit fell into a state of disrepair and became bank owned, said Abandoned Southeast. Groovy kindergarten brightens up with colorful facade. Tour the eerie Florida holiday home of a banking mogul. Daily Mail 3M followers More information The Money Pit: Directed by Richard Benjamin. Sam Dangremond is a Contributing Digital Editor at Town & Country, where he covers men's style, cocktails, travel, and the social scene. Sellers are required, by law, to properly disclose known issues with the home as a part of the listing. He couldn't condemn it because he hadn't visited it in its present 'interior exposed and skinned' condition. Inside ornate 'Money Pit Mansion' which has lain empty for decades Photographs taken by an urban explorer reveal the decrepit state of the 11,000 sq ft property in central Florida, which was originally built in 1908 and is made entirely of mahogany wood. All rights reserved. Within that time markets can also shift and, unfortunately, that can drastically affect the final selling price.. Some have suggested that the abandoned house may be haunted. The Dec. 29, 2006, letter by principal engineer Jeffrey Parzych points out that changes were made since planning drawings were filed with the city, including substituting aluminum support columns for steel; inadequate shear walls, supports, framing, and connections; cracked beams; missing bolts and connectors. N. for himself and his wife, Karen. "The house was falling apart when you went from room to room. We think its a tremendous value, and expect it to sell soon. So many palm trees and tropical plants! Vizcaya Museum & Gardens - 3251 S Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida, USA (closing scene) 4 of 4 found this . Spectacular view over Alligator Lake.'. The house was falling apart when you went from room to room. If you've visited Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, you may be surprised to learn that the estate comes complete with its own historic farm and village on the east side of South Miami Avenue, directly across the street from the Main House and formal gardens. A remake, Drmkken, directed by Peter Dalle, was released to cinemas in Sweden on 28 October 1993. Search for this "Money Pit" somewhere slightly northeast of where SR 2 crosses the Chattahoochee River in Northwest Florida. Premier and Sonders are accused of breaching their duty to be honest, fair and competent; not using skill, care and diligence normally used in such transactions; breaching their duty to disclose all facts, which they allegedly knew, yet provided false, erroneous, and incomplete information. Maybe someone reading this has heard of it and can help us get a more exact location. These Home Renovations Will Pay Off the Most (and the Least) in 2019, 7 Signs You Should Put Offor Call Offa Home Renovation, Should You Sell Your Home As Is, or Spring for a Renovation? To reach the supposed location of this treasure, begin at the southern tip of Placida Island, then travel north through Cape Haze. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Jessica Fields, a real estate agent in Brooklyn, NY, theorizes that the owners may have renovated too much, resulting in a home thats overly lavish for the locale, and the times. Sebo is seeking damages, including the cost to evaluate, investigate and correct code violations and defects; costs to repair damage to his personal property due to the defects; loss of use of the mansion and land; displacement costs; and other damages, including diminished property values and interest. Shes a fashion designer, hes a shoe manufacturer and distributor. Most of the interiorscenes of Money Pitwith its infamous staircase and collapsing floorwere shot on studio sound stages. While the couple no doubt knew the house was old and had heard of its ties to the infamous film, they figured the homes flaws were mostly fictiononly to be proved wrong once they moved in. Other shots show the porch which surrounds three sides of the house and a Civil War-era Chas M Stieff square grand piano that is estimated to be worth around 20,000 to 25,000. One Essex Street | Marblehead, MA 01945 This boarded-up mansion, found right in the heart of Lake County's Howey-in-the-Hills community, is now going for $480,000, reports the Orlando Sentinel. Over 30 years ago, exterior shots of the infamous big-screen residence were portrayed by a mansion in New York that had fallen into disrepair. This Nassau County home which played the role of a falling-apart Gilded Age property that. $5. The abandoned house is also said to be haunted although there is no concrete proof. The Money Pit Mansion was then sold in the 1940s and converted into a funeral parlour. At the time, the property was known as Northway, and was owned by publisher Eric Ritter. The 1890s Long Island mansion used in the 1986 comedy The Money Pit is now going on the market for $12.5 million. The film is a remake of the 1948 Cary Grant comedy film Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, and was filmed in New York City and Lattingtown, New York, and was co-executive produced by Steven Spielberg. Originally built in 1898, the house was purchased in 2002 for $2,125,000 by Christina and Rich Makowsky. DeSantis appointee to Disney oversight board thinks tap water can make you gay, After paying InfoWars blogger $37K, Florida Rep. Jason Brodeur files bill requiring bloggers to register with state, Family-friendly drag event the Miss Rose Dynasty Pageant forced to move from Orlando at last minute, Florida Republicans file bill that would make puberty blockers, hormone therapy for trans youths illegal, Florida lawmakers appeal in subpoena fight over controversial laws restricting race-related education, This is what a dictator does: Nikki Fried blames Gov. As soon as Walter (Tom Hanks) and Anna (Shelley Long) buy a mansion for a mere $200,000, it immediately starts falling apart in more and more disastrous ways. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It is the building official's call and I know Mr. Bollenback takes his duties seriously.'. They secured enough funds to repair the outside of the structure to reduce further interior damage. ', Pritt e-mailed that he'd look into it, then replied: 'I am a little skeptical about the need to demolish a $14M new structure, but will keep an open mind. 02, 2021. on A young couple struggles to repair a hopelessly dilapidated house. The legal complaints paint this picture: In January 2005, the Sebos, through their sales agent, Karen Cosentino of Naples, were given marketing information, shown the property and provided with other written and verbal information, including details about construction, the quality and structural integrity of the improvements. In 1927, the construction of his mansion was completed. In 1989, a fight over demolition began with the city. Now that its priced right, its probably only a matter of time before the champagne and laughter are flowing at elegant parties once again. The city already had issued a demolition permit. Interviewed by phone recently, Bollenback said Zulian asked him to condemn the home. Zulian told Pritt that in January 2006, he'd invited Bollenback to visit and Bollenback said he'd speak to a supervisor and others about the situation. from the sellers and real estate agents to the designers, builders, the HVAC installer, and even the window manufacturer and sliding glass installation firm. His attorney, Edward Cheffy of Cheffy, Passidomo, Wilson & in Naples, also declined comment, citing his firm's policy of not discussing pending litigation. 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Since their purchase 2 years ago, the Sebos have discovered the 5-year-old mansion was riddled with problems, including mold; rotting wood frames; a severely undersized, improperly installed heating and air conditioning system; a faulty drainage system that causes flooding; a defective roof; poor insulation; and various other hidden structural defects. But the next month, Zulian e-mailed Pritt. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Inside the restored mansion, there are chandeliers and bronze sconces from Europe, ebony floors, and eight fireplaces, one of them 500 years old, from France. This is quite the bargain if you. Located on a corner lot this beautifully landscaped tropical paradise is sure to please! Fair schedule laws fail workers. Suitable to stain or paint a color of your choice. Buyers are looking for more casual homes and arent as interested in large, formal properties. an investor and founder and former director of New York-based Paychex, a nationwide payroll service firm ? Yet there it sat with no buyers, despite numerous price cuts, for five years. The Jacobsons are being blamed because they allegedly knew and Paul Jacobson helped supervise and direct construction, while Neubek designed the house and signed and sealed plans, and Shipley Homes was the general contractor. Meticulous attention was paid to every detail., The fact that the house has eight bedrooms, all of them en suite, and eight full baths and two half baths, doesnt even begin to tell its story. Black suede lines the elegant media room, and a stylish, refrigerated wine wall that holds about 80 bottles is located in the den. Well, it turns out that the real-life house from the film has officially lived up to its reputation, selling for a huge loss. With such a massive history of buried treasure and pirate shenanigans all playing a role in Floridas history, there are lots of pirate-themed things to do, here are a few of our favorites: Has there ever been pirate treasure found in Florida? The lushly landscaped, rolling green grounds feature a salt water pool, formal gardens, and an 800-square-foot poolhouse with a full kitchen, bath, and laundry room. Over 30 years ago, exterior shots of the infamous big-screen residence were portrayed by a mansion in New York that had fallen into disrepair. Today, the house remains largely empty with the exception of abandoned renovation materials and this Civil War-era Charles M Stieff grand piano, which is estimated to be worth in the region of $28,000. A safe and security system. We cannot change the unpredictable nature of some industries by force of will no matter how much predictive scheduling advocates pretend that is the case. is a vacation rental located in Panama City Beach,. The engineering firm wrote to Naples Building Official Paul Bollenback, branding the home dangerous and citing numerous code violations. The Makowskys poured their hearts, their exquisite taste, and some say up to $10 million intorenovating the estate. All of that involves timing at each step.. Edit. With its impressive Grecian-style pillars and ornate plaster work, this mansion would no doubt have been a very desirable property in its heyday. They hoped within five years they could have it open to the public as a historic library or a wedding venue. Good luck, treasure hunters! The Mansion is closed between May1st and Oct 1st. Some refer to this as the "Money Pit" law. Find her on ReallyRather.com, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Sell 2 Pacific Palisades Properties, What You Can Learn From the Most Memorable Real Estate Moments in Movies, 6 Shocking Money Pits Hiding in Your Home. I have not been able to locate the area on a modern map, but it was supposedly called Old Yarbor Pond. Parzych notes that the building doesn't appear to be 'in danger of collapse' under gravity loading, but notes it's not designed according to code. We definitely could have done the sequel.. Listed among them are: ? We didnt realize how bad it was, said Rich Makowsky, The house was falling apart when you went from room to room. In February, a series of e-mails followed between attorney David Zulian, Cheffy's co-counsel, and City Attorney Bob Pritt. Incredible Photos Show the Moment a Pack of African Wild Dogs Turned on a Hyena as it Tried to Steal Their Next Meal, Chilling Photos Show the Crumbling Remains of British Military Sites That Were Used During World War Two, Take A Look Inside This Eerie Abandoned Bradford Waterpark, Take A Look Inside The Stepford Wives Director Bryan Forbes Abandoned Mansion, This Urban Explorer Found An Abandoned Cottage Full Of Travelling Memories. m 617.834.8205, www.OliverReports.com A long, gated driveway lined by magnificent, mature trees leads up to the home, says Kirschenbaum. Remember The Money Pit? Unfortunately, donations slowed and the house sits idle.'. There are eight. We don't really recommend attempting this one, though, for obvious reasons. Having lain empty for decades, its. The home was originally built in 1911 for just $25,000. The Long Island mansion from the 1986 flick "The Money Pit" has become a real-life money pit. Heres hoping the new owners have better luck with this place than the last ones did. That lawsuit was filed in Collier Circuit Court, while the first was filed in January. Now the actual house from the movie is up for saleand it's far from disastrous. Today. We definitely could have done the sequel.". Buying a home that needs renovation and turning a profit upon the sale is a delicate dance, he explains. Pirates in the 1700s supposedly used the island as a campsite, so some have speculated that there would be buried treasure here. The owner saw the video and everyone knew it was a great match. The circa-1898 colonial-style home is on the market for a cool $5.9 million according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com, which always has the inside scoop on fun real estate listings. Fast-forward to 2014, the Makowskys decided it was time to relocate, despite their love for their renovated residence. The husband is an amazing piano player and he was filmed at the first showing playing the owners piano. The couple, who live in Salem, Ohio, also have homes in Pelican Bay and Estuary at Grey Oaks. Almost 25 years a restoration effort began, the palatial mansion still sits empty, having failed to secure funds to restore it to its former glory. Learn how your comment data is processed. Gasparilla, Bowlegs, and Jean Lafitte may have fled to the islands of the Choctawhatchee Bay after raids in the Caribbean and Gulf regions they had been pillaging. to pay $11.2 million in April 2005 for the lakefront retreat at 450 Gulf Shore Blvd. Many of the defects violate state and local codes. Having lain empty for decades, its various owners have been unable to restore it to its former glory due to high . Zulian questioned Bollenback's response, which the attorney summarized as: There was no need for the city to investigate a possible condemnation if a licensed engineer already determined it was dangerous. In this tale, the Seminole Indians were forced to dump about $100,000 worth of gold coins (now worth much more). Bollenback said. And some defendants' answers contend the sellers are to blame ? Message. Photographs reveal the decrepit. Lauren (she/her) is the digital content director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group, where she oversees online content and strategy for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and other Hearst titles, including SEO, video, social media and e-commerce efforts. The current homeowners, Rich and Christina Makowsky, bought the 5.4-acre estate in 2002, and they told the Times that their experience was similar to the one depicted in the movie. Known as Northway, the eight-bedroom home is located in the village of Lattingtown. The 'Money Pit' finally sells. "The house was falling apart when you went from room to room. Prices have corrected, and people are seeing the value, saysLois Kirschenbaum, who is now the co-listingagent, along with Margaret Trautmann. Hes assembled the most comprehensive analysis of Essex County we know of with market data and trends going back decades. Roof leaks, termite infestation, faulty plumbing, mold, structural issues or deficient appliances are common issues which the potential buyer must be aware of. The Long Island estate is being offered for $5.9 million. The mansion was then sold in the 1940s and converted into a funeral parlor, before beingturned into a meeting hall 20 years later, then finally apartments. The large home features full-height Corinthian columns that supported tiered verandas with scroll brackets, modillions, and dentils along the frieze and ceramic tile panels in the gable ends and the on the roof. December 20, 2020 no comments, Mortgage rates after the Federal Reserve rate cut, Sagan Harborside Sotheby's International Realty. Before filing the lawsuits, documents obtained by The Daily News from Naples city officials show, the Sebos hired an engineering firm and lawyer, who both contacted the city, contending the home was dangerous and violated code. The House from The Money Pit Is for Sale, Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty listing, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The Money Pit Filming Locations: Rewind Archive Featured Wanna see the real life filming location used for The Money Pit in the movie? The current searching has come closer than anyone in over 100 years to locating the site of the original Money Pit. The Kitchen features designer lighting, breakfast . at a huge loss: Mansion that served as the backdrop for Tom Hanks' iconic 1986 movie is bought for $3.5 million - five years after it went on the market for. Also, millions of dollars have been uncovered in artifacts and gold coins from the 1715 Spanish ships lost in a hurricane. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA, is serving as Zillow's health advisor. Stay Safe. You have to buy it at the right price, put the right amount in and sell it for the right amount. To stash away the millions of bucks? If you love treasure hunting then you should check out this story of a shipwreck that happened back in 1715 supposedly with 3 million silver coins on board near the Treasure Coast of the state. According to an exclusive article in The New York Times, the eight-bedroom, white clapboard house in Lattingtown, New York was owned by publisher Eric Ridder during the filming of the movie. They filmed the exterior shots at a Long Island mansion known as Northway, which imitated life by falling into a serious state of disrepair itself for a . Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. An urban explorer, who posts photographs of derelict properties on a blog called Abandoned Southeast, said the property was built by a lumber tycoon from Georgia. How Much Old Hollywood Stars Paid for Their Houses, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Unfortunately, donations slowed and the house sits idle.. Months after the April 18, 2005, closing, Sebo discovered that the marketing and other information contained false statements. With Tom Hanks, Shelley Long, Alexander Godunov, Maureen Stapleton. For friends, there's a 3,310-square-foot guesthouse with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a balcony. Marblehead record $7 million sale Here's a link to the Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty listing. Deep in the heart of Florida sits a Neoclassical Greek Revival mansion known as the Money Pit. The 15,125-square-foot furnished mansion on a half-acre off pricey Gulf Shore Boulevard North sounds like a dream home. All Rights Reserved. Wiegold installed the HVAC system, while Omni added the sliding glass doors, and RLK built the roof. The 1,100-square-foot house, built in 1910, had new appliances as well as level floors and square cornersa rarity among the city's older housing stock. Former U.S. A local couple stepped up and purchased the Money Pit in 1992 for 73,000 saving it from the wrecking ball. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Made from solid pine. Today, it's the polar opposite of a pit. In 1924, the lumber tycoon and his family moved out. Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated, If youre interested in Marblehead, you have to visit the blog of Mr. Andrew Oliver, author and curator of OliverReports.com. DeSantis for Republican proposal to abolish Florida Democratic Party, Photos via William J. Howey Mansion Community Restoration Project, Scroll to read more Orlando Area News articles. She also makes art, jewelry, and other things for her shop, If you dont strike it rich finding buried treasure then you can always, Hunt for treasure as old as 1715 at this state park, Look through a treasure trove of history at, Learn about the history of the state by visiting these, Countless Celebrities Have Loved This Iconic Florid Diner For Decades, Chow Down On Seafood Fresh Off The Boat At This Spring Seafood Festival In Florida, Here Are The 9 Most-Recommended BBQ Restaurants In Florida, According To Our Readers, Plan A Trip To This Underrated Historic Town In Florida, This Is The Number One Unsolved Mystery In Florida And It Will Leave You Baffled, Here Are The 10 Best Places To Spot A Ghost In Florida, Dont Drive On These 6 Haunted Streets In Florida Or Youll Regret It, These 8 Unbelievable Ruins In Florida Will Transport You To The Past, shipwreck that happened back in 1715 supposedly with 3 million silver coins on board, Hop on board a live interactive pirate ship, St. Augustines Pirate And Treasure Museum, fascinating photos that depict what life was like in Florida over 100 years ago. Did you ever dream of searching for buried treasure in Florida as a kid? a settlement or possible trial. In 1986's The Money Pit, Walter Fielding Jr. (Tom Hanks) and his girlfriend Anna (Shelley Long) experience the ultimate fixer-upper catastrophe when a country home they purchase begins to fall down around them. Today, its the polar opposite ofa pit. We definitely could have done the sequel.". Its all about the numbers. Meanwhile, we will be looking for some buried treasure in Florida. 'After WWII many of the early mansions in Florida were destroyed to build commercial buildings and condominiums. One of these rumors states that Pirate Billy Bowlegs Rogers hid three chests somewhere on in the area under an old palm tree. The Miami Marine Stadium - Miami '?We don't want to use condemnation if no one's living in it. Abandoned Southeast / mediadrumworld.comAbandoned Southeast / mediadrumworld.com. The 8,000-square-foot mansion was completed in 1911 at a cost of $25,000. Undeterred, the Makowskys hired a construction crew of 30 to renovate the house for over a year and a half, spending a total of $5.9 million to add en suite bedrooms, an elegant pool (complete with a pool house), stunning fireplaces, and a modern, open kitchen, all on 5.5 acres of land. 'The extensive termite damage would require $220,000 or more in renovations. The Sprawling Mansion from 'The Money Pit' Is for Sale The 1890s Long Island mansion used in the 1986 comedy The Money Pit is now going on the market for $12.5 million. At long last, it recently sold for $3.5 million. Make a right turn, and you should see the lake after going one mile east. Victoria is a native Floridian and writer for OIYS. The house is one of central Floridas most ornamented 20th century mansions. If you can find the right tunnel, it should lead to a $3 million treasure secured there by Pirate Billy Bowlegs Rogers. Showing all 11 items Jump to: Filming Locations (9) Filming Dates (1) Production Dates (1) Filming Locations. Miami, FL 33129 United States + Google Map. There are numerous legends about treasure hidden on Pine Island. the result of Sebo's $4.4 million 2004 pledge, which also funded the Sebo Entrepreneurship Lecture Series, a jazz studies scholarship, a spring concert, and a PBS documentary about successful regional entrepreneurs. The entire home was constructed using mahogany and was once a place of grandeur, but today sports crumbling ceilings and peeling plasterwork. The Money Pit Mansion is Too Expensive For Most People to Fix In Florida, there is a Neo-Classical mansion that has been called "The Money Pit Mansion", because it's too expensive to restore. According to island lore, it first drew the attention of a local teenager in 1795, who noticed . "We didn't realize how bad it was," Mr. Makowsky told the Times. After WWII many of the early mansions in Florida were destroyed to build commercial buildings and condominiums.