Photos By: Kelli Miller
The grandeur of the turn of the 20th century is being recreated in the former Ford Mansion on Collingwood Avenue. Purchased three years ago by Chuck Madrigal and Finley Gleason (pictured above, left to right), they expect their labor of love to take 15 more years to complete, asbestos, in paint and old wallpaper, has created significant delay with the work. The 15,500 sq ft. home will be magnificent when finished and rooms that have already been renovated are quite stunning.
The home has eight fireplaces, eight bathrooms and four kitchens. The music room (formerly the billiard room), the dining area and the living and den areas are beautifully adorned with original flame mahogany and the gorgeous hardwood floors have been refinished.
Furnishing this huge home is exciting for the duo as they want to maintain the integrity of the building with thoughtful touches of their own. The stylish furnishings reflect much of the original splendor.
Gleason and Madrigal have also purchased the former Knight Mansion next door which they hope to turn into a community center. The thoughtfulness adhered to in the renovating process is
admirable— we can’t wait to see the finished project.
