This magnificent 1888 Brownstone built for William Chick Scarritt burned yesterday. A local television station broadcast interior pictures from before the current owners restored this masterpiece. With their permission I'm posting these pictures of what was ACTUALLY lost. This is a tribute to the work of Larry and Susan... at least we have these memories for now. Much of the work was done by the owners themselves. To show the interiors before any work took place with the implication that not much in terms of furnishing was lost, is awful .
New roof, new copper gutters, restored exterior, rebuilt chimneys .
First floor rooms. No fire, but thousands of gallons of water and collapse damage.
Second floor, totally lost.
Third floor, also a total loss.
Note the view of the Kansas City skyline out the third floor window.
Basement.
How unbelievably sad. There are lots of little thugs in the area, that think arson is cute. If They caused this tragedy, then let us hope the are apprehended, AND punished to the full extent of the law...Hopefully insurance covered the loss!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am heartbroken for this family and for all of us. What a massive, horrible loss.
ReplyDeleteInsurance can cover loss in dollars but you can never get back the blood sweat and tears of a magnificent restoration like this. My heart hurts for the owners and our community. Thankfully the beautiful pictures will serve as a memory of their efforts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting the pictures of how truly lovely this house was. Such a tragic loss of a beautiful historic house.
ReplyDeleteSuch beauty, the woodwork alone can never be replaced. This hurts more than any other loss, except our firemen last year. We have always been a scrappy lot, we Northeasters. If they decide to rebuild, and need help, I will volunteer my self and my family to come help when they let us know. The Clopton Family.
ReplyDeleteI lived at 3511 Gladstone for many years. This was my favorite house in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteIt has in fact remained my dream house. When I was last in it in the 90's it was in disrepair. (still sort of a nursing home.)The potential was huge. These owners did an incredible job.
This is awful. I hope they rebuild with historic elements from architectural salvage places.
My partner and I own 3511 Gladstone and would love to talk to you if you are willing! Dylanvangerpen@kw.com
DeleteSuch a sad loss. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pictures. I had seen the house and loved the look of it. Somehow it is also harder seeing the pictures and realizing the massive loss this is. For those of use who live in and love our old homes, it is truly heartbreaking. I could only wish for my own home to look this amazing some day.
ReplyDeletethe most beautiful house I've ever seen..it is a great loss of beauty and history this is a great loss for the family money cannot replace the sentimental value of this great piece of work.....
ReplyDeleteAmazing house and great interior photos.
ReplyDeleteWOW, Beautiful and heartbreaking. So much work restoring its beauty. I remember when it was up for sale. My heart goes out to the couple that restored it, tragic loss.
ReplyDeleteThe most beautiful house I've ever seen, and I sell real-estate. What a wonderful restoration! Creating this blog was a great idea as it definitely caught my attention more than the news did. There isn't really a replacement of such a house, so I'll just say so sorry to hear and I hope that they find another one to make as beautiful as this one.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the loss of this gorgeous, historical home. The furnishings alone are not replaceable and I'm sure a huge financial loss, let alone the actual home interiors and architecturally unique features. No one, no matter how wealthy, could replace this gorgeous restoration. My heart hurts for the pain this has caused the owners who so lovingly restored it. You can tell they loved it. No one would willingly take on such a huge project unless it was a labor of love. So sorry and thank you for trying to save such a beauty.
ReplyDeleteThis was truly an amazing home. When it was up for sale prior to the purchase of its current owners, I looked at it, and to say it needed work was an understatement. What a transformation! These photos are beautiful and I am almost in disbelief this was the same home. So sad for these owners and the loss of this historical home.
ReplyDeleteI have been sick over this all week. Thank you, David, for documenting all of the work that Larry and Susan put into wonderful brownstone on the bluff.
ReplyDeleteI too was annoyed that the press did not do their homework and jumped to the conclusion that the pictures they found represented the present state of the home. One "reporter" even commented on how sparsely furnished it was and attributed it to the fact that it was under renovation.
Such majesty, gone! So very sad.
ReplyDeleteA stunning property, a really beautiful home, I hope you can muster all your strength and resources to put things back after such a tremendous loss. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
ReplyDeleteWow...so sad that the fire happened. I am hoping that no one was hurt. I also am hoping that you can regain the motivation and strength to rebuild. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful pictures. Are they the actual pictures of the house or an artist's rendition of what the renovations would look like? The "views" in the windows look like drawings and not actual photos. Either way, it was a beautiful structure and a very unfortunate loss. I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteActual photographs.
DeleteWow... It was gorgeous. I can't begin to imagine the owners' feelings. I wish them peace and resolve. Best wishes in whatever the future holds for them and this historic piece of property. I hope the community's love for it gives them some level of comfort.
ReplyDelete