I orginally posted about this lovely mansion in September 2014. Here is the latest UPDATE: The Old West End’s Tillinghast-Willys-Bell house has found a new owner. The Gothic-inspired Tudor home, 2210 Robinwood Ave. at Bancroft Street, was purchased by the Mishler family, who were looking to escape the quiet suburbs. THE TOLEDO BLADE
The area was once full of the city’s most prominent families, and many of their lavish homes remain. The Gothic-inspired Tudor at 2210 Robinwood Ave. is widely recognized as one of the best.
“It’s just stunning,” Matt Mishler said. “It does need a little attention here and there, but we’re ready and excited to do it.”
Mr. Mishler and his wife, Laura, closed on the home Tuesday. For the Mishlers, purchasing the historic mansion fulfills a long dream. “We’ve wanted an old home,” Mrs. Mishler said. “When we bought our current house 15 years ago, we couldn't find anything that fit our family’s needs.” The couple has four children, two of whom are now in college.
The Mishlers ended up settling in a nice house on a quiet street in Lambertville. The home served them well for the last 15 years, but Mr. Mishler said they were ready for a change. “We were a little bored, I think, being your standard suburbanites,” he said.
Commissioned in 1901 by a man who made his sizable fortune in the licorice business, the house on Robinwood has an interesting history. After the original owner moved out, none other than John North Willys moved in. The automotive pioneer lived in the home for a number of years before selling to an investment banker.There’s nothing standard about their new home.
More owners have come and gone over the last 70-plus years, but the Tillinghast-Willys-Bell home still carries the names of its first three occupants.
Like many Old West End properties, the home has a somewhat eclectic mix of architectural styles. One of the most striking features, though, is the liberal use of quartersawn oak. The first floor and stairway are awash in the rich wood. “To open that huge leaded glass door and walk into that grand staircase, it’s beautiful,” Mrs. Mishler said. The home retains many original items, including bathroom fixtures and a large pedestal sink. Real estate agents who work in the Old West End have said it’s one of the most original homes in the neighborhood. It’s also huge. It has eight bedrooms and more than 8,000 square feet of usable space.
Jon Modene, owner of Re/Max Masters in Perrysburg, was the agent who sold the home. He said it was a complex house and a complex negotiation, but he’d never seen a more determined buyer. Event after event made it a really complex sale, but it was a journey of love for the Mishlers, and they got their house and they’re happy,” Mr. Modene said. “They’re going to restore it to its glory.”
The home was originally listed at $299,000. Property records show it sold for $270,000.
The Mishlers are excited to be closer to downtown Toledo and to be a part of the Old West End neighborhood. “We believe a lot in Toledo. Toledo’s been very good to us, and we’re perfectly comfortable moving down there,” said Mr. Mishler, who works in sales for a local company. “We know lots of people there who are friends, and they love it.”
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...ORIGINAL POST...
Thanks for joining me for Home Tour Monday. There was an article about this beautiful Mansion in the Toledo Blade Newspaper. The house has 9 bedrooms, a formal dining room finished in chestnut, a large butler’s pantry, and a third-story ballroom. The most striking feature is the entryway off Bancroft Street. The foyer has beautiful, tiger-striped quarter-sawn oak from floor to ceiling. Intricate hand-carved details top large columns and decorate the beams overhead. Light filters in through three large stained glass windows above the landing on the wide stairway.
Tillinghast Willys Bell Mansion
Located at: 2210 Robinwood Avenue Toledo, Wisconsin
It is located in the Old West End of Toledo, Ohio
9 bed - 5 bath
8,381 square feet
Single-Family Home
$299,900 Listing Price
Listing # 5078272
This English Tudor mansion was built in 1901 for Alvin B. Tillinghast, a licorice tycoon and patron of the arts. Despite his apparent wealth, Mr. Tillinghast went bankrupt building the house and turned it back over to the construction company. The construction company in turn traded the house for 12 Pope-Toledo cars produced by one of Toledo's great automotive industrialists, John North Willys, who founded Willys-Overland. The foyer of the Murray-Willys home boasts a gold-leafed ceiling with a beautiful staircase leading to the second floor. The massive living room contains the largest of the many gas fireplaces in the home. The spectacular dining room features ornately carved mahogany woodwork and the original, hand-carved chandelier. The library features the original wainscoting and a fresh air ventilating system. The kitchen has been completely remodeled with all new cabinets, which are designed to match the existing cabinets in the cook's and butler's pantry. Through persistence and careful attention to detail, Michael and Ellen Murray have restored this Old West End landmark to its original elegance.
New Photos of the Empty Mansion by:
All of the Original Photos With Furniture
All of the original Woodwork!!
The hearth surrounding the fireplace in the empty living room is made of tiles from Rookwood Ceramics. The house, built in 1901 for businessman Alvin B. Tillinghast, is regarded as the best home in the Old West End for its commanding presence and historical accuracy.
Living Room Furnished and with Beautiful Hardwood Floors and Columns
Gorgeous Windows
Beautiful Sun Room
Butler's Pantry!
Beautiful Staircase and Stained Glass Windows
Beautiful Third Floor Ballroom
This is a Single-Family Home located at 2210 Robinwood Avenue, Toledo OH. The residence has 9 beds, 5 1/2 baths, and approximately 8,381 square feet. The property has a lot size of 0.51 acres and was built in 1901.
Public Records for 2210 Robinwood Ave
Presenting the Tillinghast-Willys Mansion. Amzaing 3-story stone/half-timbered Tudor. Historic keystone home in the Old West End. Grand mahogony-trimmed foyer opens to huge living room with beautiful hardwood floor. Library and sunroom with leaded glass. Huge formal dining room with carved fireplace. Terazzo floors in kitchen. Huge master suite. 3rd floor ballroom and servants quarters.
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I hope you enjoyed this tour.
What did you see that you really liked about this house. And, was there anything in particular about the house that would make you pass it by?
