Fascination with Abandoned Mansions: House Beautiful has a keen interest in deserted homes, particularly Lynnewood Hall, an abandoned mansion in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
Estimated Value: The mansion is valued at an impressive $256 million and is notable for its connections to the Titanic tragedy.
Leland Kent’s Discovery
Passion for Historic Places: Leland Kent, known for his blog and Instagram account Abandoned Southeast, has a passion for exploring abandoned, historic places in the Southeast of the United States.
Lynnewood Hall Visit: In early 2023, Kent visited Lynnewood Hall, spending two days exploring the estate and later researching its history.
Widener Family Tragedy: The original owners, the Widener family, suffered tragic losses with George and Harry Widener dying on the Titanic. They had been searching for a French chef for their new hotel, the Ritz Carlton.
The Mansion’s History and Current State
Construction and Cost: Lynnewood Hall was built between 1898 and 1900, with an estimated construction cost of $8 million.
Ownership: Since 1996, a Korean church has owned the estate, but due to financial difficulties, vacated the property years ago.
Legal and Financial Struggles: The church faced challenges with the local municipality over tax-exempt status, with property taxes exceeding $100,000 annually.
Sale Attempts: Despite receiving offers well above the asking price, the church did not sell Lynnewood Hall, which remains unoccupied and is not currently for sale.
Future Prospects
Uncertain Future: The future of Lynnewood Hall remains unclear, though there is hope that it may one day be restored to its former glory.
