Addison Mizner's La Ronda: A Tale of Grandeur & Tragedy

Join us on a captivating journey through La Ronda, the magnificent mansion in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Designed by the legendary Addison Mizner, this architectural gem epitomized Spanish Gothic and Mediterranean Revival styles. Discover its grandeur, from the sprawling 233-acre estate to the stunning 17,500 square foot mansion with 51 rooms, including 21 bedrooms.
Like, Comment, and Share our video, Subscribe if you enjoyed this video!
Location: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Check out our Merch: thishouse.media
Join our Membership program:
/ @thishouse
Photo from: abandonedsoutheast.com/2021/1...
Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress,
Newspapers: Philadelphia Inquirer, Miami Tribune,
CC BY-SA 3.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/... from: Wikipedia User: Hans Peter Schaefer
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound

[@pinkvolo]

The amount of money some "stars" spend on ugly, garish, cheap looking homes is crazy. Most of them are nothing more than a waste of space only to be abandoned most times in less than 10yrs. This home was an artistic treasure. The millions spent to build a new piece of crap IMO, could have been used to bring this treasure back to its glory plus you would be living in a piece of historical grandeur.

[@randyboglisch137]

Ken what a fabulous house.!! So sad it couldn't survive....I do not understand why some of these beautiful homes had to be destroyed...what a loss! Thank you so much...hope renos are going well

[@kathycasey9153]

I agree. The almighty dollar will win against history every time. How very unfortunate.

[@Steven-wm9vu]

They do. They care more about size. If I had that money Id buy a histotoc home from 3-5k suare foot.

[@jamesdugan3079]

I was just thinking the same thing.

[@ShannaNL]

The fact you forget is that old mansions bankrupt old families on their maintenance cost. That's why they are ruins and that's why they are demolished.

[@judykessinger3552]

Would love to see homes like open for tours instead of being torn down.

[@scotteller9879]

Was it torn down? The story never said

[@bscottb8]

"Many architects had imagination, but only Addison Mizner had the courage to let it out of the cage." -- Frank Lloyd Wright

[@janadeubner9883]

How sad that beautiful home was demolished.

[@lightofthejul]

It’s absolutely criminal that this was destroyed !

[@ML-xi2rt]

Breaks my heart that this masterpiece of architecture is no longer. It was nothing short of magnificent and the vision of a true architectural genius

[@kennethbraun1568]

Lived in that neighborhood and was heartbroken when it was torn down. Great in its day but very difficulty to adapt to a contemporary life style. His Palm Beach creations hold up much better in this regard. And fetch prices in the tens of millions.

[@williamtyre523]

Thanks for another great video. I was familiar with Mizner's work in Florida, but had never seen this treasure. Would like to see videos about some of his Florida houses. I really love the Great Hall, it must have been amazing to stand in that space. What a tragic loss.

[@pyrexmaniac]

This, in my opinion, is the most magnificent home featured on This House. Addison Mizner was an unheralded genius.....all of his designs were perfect to the last detail. The destruction of this home is a grave loss to American Architecture.

[@sarahalbers5555]

I know, right??

[@barrypaul4199]

You should visit the Boca Raton Resort and Hotel. While modern buildings have been added to the property, the original Mizner building is beautifully preserved - some rooms presenting his original furnishings. (I stayed in a gorgeous, originally furnished suite there some years ago.). It is not to be missed!

[@hewitc]

21 bedrooms in 17,500 sf? They must have been smallish bedrooms with shared baths. Great room is fantastic. I could never demolish that room!

[@Bci42]

As usual, very articulate commentary

[@jimwiskus8862]

I loved it and I cried at the end. So senseless! I do have an idea which I hope you and Dalton will seriously consider. Why not start publishing books of the mansions that you’ve covered? You could even do one that is about the survivors, the ones that did not fall prey to the wrecking ball. And maybe another one on ghost mansions that survive only because of your work. Anyway, I know that’s a lot of work. Basically it’s gonna be a paper version of what you’re doing right now if that makes sense? Can’t wait for the next video. I’ll see it when it drops!

[@sergpie]

I would buy one, for sure. Good suggestion

[@KoniB.]

This truly was one of the most beautiful of privately built mansions in America. There is no other that I have enjoyed looking through more, but wish that at some future point, all photographs of La Rhonda can be colorized, as nearly as possible, to the original colour schematics. Thanks for the history lesson!

[@janedee6488]

Tragedy 😞.it was a gorgeous house

[@kevintonks3034]

Thanks for these videos, so very interesting.

[@rickyt3961]

Thank you! Interesting 👍🏾

[@The_Smith]

Love all the ironwork! I wonder if it was Samuel Yellin's work? his shop was in Philadelphia.

[@jetsons101]

La Ronda was a work of art, but for me it would be too large to have the "Feel" of a cozy home. Thanks for your time, work and posting.....

[@charlessmith5114]

My "Thumbs-Up" are not an approval of what became of these homes, but or your reporting on them. Something happened in our country that allowed the destruction of of these properties and the premise of conservation. It's actually very sad. We've lost so much...

[@Miami543210]

I live and work in Boca Raton, Florida. Addison Mizner’s name, influence and architecture are Everywhere here. He is much loved and remembered. For some reason. And he has streets, schools, neighborhoods, buildings parks and more named after him. He is certainly not forgotten here in Boca Raton!

[@BusyBob6971]

I love your videos. Not so much when you use the word "demolition". Makes me sick to my stomach. As always I look forward to your next video.

[@pinkvolo]

I would love to see what was done with the property afterwards. Even the materials used to build the mansion were worth a fortune. It is a sin.

[@lightofthejul]

Who in their right mind would or could tare down such a magnificent home ! It is truly a lose and a sin to have wiped out such a gem ! ⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️😵😵😵😵

[@BlaineShire]

My neck of the woods I love the Main Line!!

[@morgandollar7146]

Many, many beautiful irreplaceable homes and commercial buildings were destroyed in the 1950's & 1960's. So I figured it came down then. 2009!!!

[@charlotteday1671]

Theodora is soo into goth. She would like it. Thanks so much, pretty house. I like the grand houses. The La Ronda is a classic. God Bless, Charlotte

[@chesterthawkins7510]

Gorgeous estate! So sad that it was destroyed.

[@nikmills]

Speaking of glass boxes, I wonder, Ken - might you one day uncover some lesser-known Mid-Century Modern gems? Everyone knows Johnson's Glass House and Wright's Falling Water. But are there some post-war homes of the 1950s and '60s that deserve investigation? We are losing many to 'updating' - a fate worse than destruction.

[@kennixox262]

Palm Springs comes to mind as well as the "Sarasota School" in Florida which has some excellent examples of mid century modern. One notable house that has been restored is the Umbrella House.

[@cynthiacampbell7277]

There's one that's being moved to save it in Raleigh, NC, designed by George Matsumoto in 1954. It's not a grand mansion, but it's a beautiful example of a modernist home.

[@steelman86]

Shameful this beauty was demolished! Thank god for Hearst castle, Chateau Carolands, marble palaces and the Vanderbilt homes!!

[@proudvirginian]

It stood at 945 Roscommon Rd in Bryn Mawr. You can see the Google Street view from 2007 and the house there now. I'm glad I got to see it before it was torn down. I had a friend that lived up there and I passed by the house on my runs through the neighborhood(she didn't live in the mansions, but I ran through the neighborhood because of the mansions 😁). Joseph and Sharon Kestenbaum are the definition of out of touch, elite ding dongs.

[@samanthab1923]

I remember seeing it on the news. Such a shame

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

And I heard they've already SOLD the gargantuan MONSTROSITY they replaced LaRonda with. What SOULLESS SWINE THEY ARE.

[@kennethbraun1568]

No need to personally disparage people for their private decisions. Very bad form. Why didn’t you buy it, save it and live in it?

[@pmn2821]

As recent as 2009 and WE STILL HAVEN'T LEARNED OUR LESSON??? Sickening. That aside, I was surprised at the lack of fireplaces.

[@jesseostone386]

I kept thinking how cold it must have been in winter. Even with large fireplaces, those large rooms with all that stone would have been near impossible to heat. Perhaps there was a furnace, too, but still…

[@vickiephilpitt7697]

Wow, that house looked like a church. It would have been a bear to keep heated during the winters. No wonder there was a 7x7 fireplace in the main room. Too bad it was destroyed, with 51 rooms & 21 bedrooms, it could have easily been converted into more bedrooms and banquet rooms. It would have made a beautiful venue for weddings and other occasions. Sad.

[@elpirata5468]

truly a great loss a beautiful work of gothic art my dream home

[@laurielaurie8280]

Its a crime that house was demolished. Sad.

[@kathleenardrey5094]

The vicious and brutal actions of coldly tearing down these works of art speaks to the cold hearts of the owners. In all other countries, lovely structures are kept alive for centuries; Americans travel and "ooh" and "ahh" over them. Yet in this cold country, cold hard cash rules the hearts of many. Passion is gone . The labors of many mean nothing to many folks. To quote the lyrics : "another one hits the dust".

[@georgiavanhouten9360]

This story breaks my Heart, The Mind set of those who want to demolish the past just baffles me, In my opinion Progress shouldn't obliterate the great works of our past, It should stand in contrast ,We have been robbed of so much beauty, The blood ,sweat and tears of the past shouldn't be wiped away, Whoa to those who are so short on nostalgia and quick to erase our History, For History, Good or bad informs ,delights and memorializes great effort.

[@edsel762]

Have you ever done a video on the Hershey Hotel?

[@marshasimpson261]

Well done!

[@lawrenceflynn2447]

Instead of this mansion being caught between preservation verses progress it’s more like preservation verses capitalism/greed - great video …thanks Ken❤

[@vince1638]

Let's not forgive a shout out to the arrogance and selfishness of massive wealth in the hands of greedy, no count fools. I hope the new mansion makes them happy for a minute. It will suck compared to this work of great art.

[@kennstransky]

So, so, so sad.

[@brucebeamon5460]

SHAMEFUL how easy it is for developers ~ etc to do away with these architectural gems that for the most part NEVER will be duplicated , Especially when as this was still in good condition 😥

[@kays749]

Tragic.

[@danacarter4793]

Tours (like a historical museum)an amazing Hotel or Fancy BB , a restaurant,or luxury condos, BUT DEMO ,gessh (rolls my eyes) so sad 😢

[@marcyking461]

The heartbreaking truth of the matter is that this beautiful structure might well still be standing1,000 years from now, much like some of the grand architecture found all over Europe, if not for some greedy, soulless corporation putting profit above all else. I wonder how long whatever it is that they put in this lovely castle's place will stand a prayer of lasting so long? I doubt it. CaChing.

[@bethranger9883]

Absolutely Gorgeous

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

0:43 This photo gave me a thought…what about doing some videos focusing on very modern homes?

[@g.v.hedgpeth2602]

Truly shameful that this was demolished!!

[@clairwaucaush7225]

After they tore it down, what was built in it's place?

[@tamieckert4548]

Should be made again 👍✅❣️

[@Kyfordman1989]

We are so blind in this country we’re so fast, the tear things down and build new. We erase our history turning the page.. the house build in gilding time and 20s 30s teens cannot be reproduced or redone today. The woods are veneer then they were solid. It’s just sad how fast we just dismiss anything old.

[@atomicwedgie8176]

It was a money pit, otherwise it would still be standing. Pretty home, though.

[@mycool8980]

Can you cover hotels as well

[@velvetgardenia]

Absolutely criminal, destroying old world architecture for...what?! What was built in its place?

[@bethbartlett5692]

It looks like an old castle in the Grand Hall. What was it's oucome, what replaced the House? 2009

[@seansartor]

Why raze such a beautiful structure? What structure sits there now ?

[@mr.x8259]

It’s like a diet version of Hearst Castle.

[@user-is4gb2jf1x]

Another unfortunate loss

[@mikebronson5766]

It always seems like such a waste of material and craftsmanship and money 😢

[@donnakennedyadams6315]

Why do your videos always seem so short to me?

[@lisak7997]

😢

[@amandab.recondwith8006]

Very grand, but not my style. It looks cold and dreary. Can't imagine how drafty it would be in the winter!

[@BabyHoolighan]

The only reason I love Palm Beach is Mizner.

[@discoblair938]

PA tears down anything "old," awful.

[@devonna6171]

Im not a fan of “gothic” style so the house itself borders on garish-hideousness (in my eye) BUT efforts should have been made to save it from the wrecking ball. There is a government entity in Britain that has final say over the remodeling/updating/destruction of their historically significant buildings. Does such a “Department” exist in our country (USA)? Probably not. When I was a child growing up in Los Angeles my family visited historic districts (Olvera Street) and buildings (Pio Pico’s Mansion). The visits fostered a love of history and architecture.

[@gmanette188]

More dollars than sense

[@christopherellis2663]

The love of money is the root of all evil, i have read.

[@lorrainediferdinandogordon5519]

As with most of these mansions, they were built with no thought of the future and it's changes and the difficulty of upkeep and practical use in the future. That's why these buildings don't last the test of time.

[@rosepelzel4244]

Wow! You'd think there could've been some compromise along the way! This was more of a castle, I think ... 51 bedrooms??? That's a hotel!

[@monkeygraborange]

I totally agree. These places were masturbatory fantasies of wealth, taste and power, and the people who caused them to be built didn’t care a whit if they outlasted their own lives.

[@lorrainediferdinandogordon5519]

​@@rosepelzel4244true.. But not a good location for a hotel.. Anyway the truth is $$ always wins out in the end.. Maybe someone made more money tearing it down, not that it is a noble thing to do..

[@dugyhoiser]

Well actually it doesn't live on. It's been demolished! Another architectural gem gone forever.

[@user-qt4qp6bj1q]

'Lih' Corbusier... when you say 'LAY' Corbusier, you are saying The Corbusiers (the family)

[@albertmyers7176]

sad

[@sharksport01]

It's a beautiful Walmart now.

[@Superiormotorsport]

Not my cup of tea interior wise...at all. Out of place in PA, but wasn't my money being spent, or used to save it. Had it been along the beach in Florida, I would call it a much greater loss.

[@robertwrede7843]

Can you say STUPID??????

[@SMtWalkerS]

I disagree that the destruction of La Ronda is a symbol of "the struggle between preservation and progress". It is the struggle between preservation and naked greed and avarice. We and future generations would have benefitted from the preservation of this architectural treasure. Instead, a person or small group of persons walked away with bags of money. No comparison.

[@cmecre8629]

coral stone? is there nothing greedyrichfolk won't destroy to locate&decorate their lairs?

[@sergpie]

Coral stone is the accumulation of dead coral polyps. Would you get this riled-up over limestone, as well? 😉

[@jackiebinns6205]

This house is so ugly in my eyes ! Im not into stucco at all , and its taste less for sure !

[@deniseleigh8578]

I am giving you a thumbs DOWN because you do not speak clearly. You obviously put great effort into this grown-up research. Why do you rush through your script like a frightened adolescent?

[@lowelldaniel5298]

I hope some of the art as in sculpture on walls and architectural elements were saved ...I know a house of thus scale and scope had elements often entire rooms purchased from European estates was there any effort to save those. Modern Architecture is devoid mostly of elements that lend any historical ideal to the structure sad to the point of criminal

[@bobconrad5632]

😢