Once Abandoned And Left To Decay, The Van Gorder Manor In Ohio Is Being Restored To Its Former Glory
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 07, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
If these walls could talk. There’s something so fascinating about old, historic homes — these residencies offer a portal into the past and unique opportunity to step back in time. Unfortunately, time isn’t always the kindest to these stately structures, claiming many a manse and manor over the decades. This was the story of Van Gorder Manor, a once-abandoned home located in Willoughby, Ohio — but a new chapter is being writ as we speak. This historic home is getting a new life as a fine dining restaurant, B&B, and event space, and it’s a transformation we can’t wait to see.
In the immensely beautiful northeast region of Ohio, The City of Willoughby is an impossibly charming town that, while home to a bustling population of 22,000 residents, feels decidedly, delightfully old-fashioned.
Sadly, not all of the homes in Willoughby have stood the test of time, though none of the abandoned and deteriorating homes are quite as tragically beautiful as the Van Gorder Manor.
The 1902 country estate, located at 37819 Euclid Avenue, is a marvelous work of architecture. At 17,000 sq. ft., the home has 34 rooms including 13 bathrooms and eight fireplaces.
This extraordinary estate was designed by architect Charles Schweinfurth for Julia French Boyce. From 1903 until her death in 1915, Boyce shared the house with her daughter, Nancy (Boyce) Van Gorder, her son-in-law Albert Van Gorder, who was a pharmaceutical executive, and their five children.
Nancy and Albert lived together in the stately home until Albert’s death in 1941. Nancy continued to live there until the 1950s when she transferred the estate to the Andrews School for Girls. She then lived in the renovated carriage house until her passing in 1959.
After that, Andrews School used the house as a health center, infirmary, and faculty apartments until 1986 when it was sold. It was eventually converted into an assisted-living facility for senior citizens, but sadly, fell into disrepair somewhere along the way, ultimately ending up on the real estate market.
This is where the story turns, however. In 2022, Mike Neundorfer, owner of Advanced RV in Willoughby, and his brother Paul, landscape architect and owner of Aristotle Design Group in Cleveland, saw the potential in this once-beautiful estate. Today, renovations are underway on both the mansion and carriage house to transform the property into a restaurant, B&B, and event venue.
Even better? While the home had fallen into disrepair, its bones are strong, with much of the original wood floors, leaded glass doors and windows, glass and brass door hardware, and archways fully intact.
We have no doubt the original owners of this stately home would be delighted to learn of its revival! Stay tuned...
Did you know the once-abandoned Van Gorder Manor in Willoughby, Ohio, was being restored? This home has beautiful bones and we can’t wait to see the “after” of its transformation.
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