The palatial house dates back to 1924, and it shows. Paint is peeling, the roof is ramshackle, and beams are riddled with termites. But preservationists call this manse—built by Tucson rodeo founder Frederick Leighton Kramer—an irreplaceable Tucson treasure that deserves resurrection. The clock is ticking, however, and a demolition permit is already in hand.
Oddly, it’s an equally historic edifice just across Elm Street that first set this pageant in motion. The 3-acre Kramer mansion property is owned by the Arizona Inn, which is selling it to a development group. And those developers plan to raze Kramer’s palace, replacing it with 13 high-end homes. Per usual, the developers trotted out a spokesman to scoff at notions of sparing the historic mansion. “It’s a noble suggestion,” Tucson attorney and project investor Bob Gugino told The Arizona Daily Star. Gugino then pegged restoration costs at more than $2 million.
Gugino’s mastery of historic repair notwithstanding, The Range decided to contact an actual expert. That turned out to be architect Bob Vint, long ranked among the region’s foremost authorities on rescuing historic properties; his firm’s restoration portfolio stretches from the Mission San Xavier Del Bac to the UA’s Old Main. Vint calls the Kramer mansion a perfectly viable candidate for rehab, at half the cost claimed by Gugino. “It’s absolutely feasible to renovate that building,” Vint says. “It’s an investment that could be recouped if you did it right.”
A development team including Vint even offered a plan to restore the mansion and build eight homes around it—a plan he says was rejected by the Inn, in favor of the “most expedient” route which included demolition.
But if the will to preserve is lacking, the determination of Will Conroy certainly is not. He’s the great-grandson of Arizona Inn founder Isabella Greenway, and currently president of the vintage hotel. In an email to The Range, Conroy writes that money from the Kramer sale will fund the restoration projects at the Inn itself. And rather “than list the property with a broker who would solicit bids on a broad scale (and doubtless yield a much higher price), we put the word out to those few good local builders and developers we felt might best understand and value our neighborhood, and who would propose appropriate, viable, high quality ways forward for the property in question. That is exactly what happened.
“I’ve never heard from Bob Vint,” Conroy continues in a subsequent email, “and in fact I don’t believe I’ve ever met or spoken to him in my life. To my knowledge he was never part of any team that made any proposal to the Arizona Inn, and the details of the proposal you describe do not exactly match up with any of the actual proposals we heard. He adds that “the idea that the Inn would choose ‘the most expedient’ option available is demonstrably false in this case and obviously contrary the Inn’s posture through four generations of our history.”
Still, preservation activists say it’s a bit ironic that the Arizona Inn—which routinely dangles its own 85-year-history as marketing ornament—would reject opportunities to save an equally venerable property right next door.
This article appears in Mar 5-11, 2015.
Preserving historic structures can be a noble effort but it comes off as tired and maybe even vindictive in this case.
What significance does this mansion have for Tucson history?
Built by a very rich man who moved to Tucson because he was suffering from tuberculous and who helped found the Tucson Rodeo. It was used as a school for a brief period of time but that’s it.
Is this mansion even visible from the street for the general public?
Nope.
Is the developer working with the neighborhood to develop sensitively?
Yes, and there is not any official neighborhood opposition because the developer has engaged the association and included them in the process.
There has not been public access for a long long time, if ever. If it is not visible from any public right of way and if it would take $2 million plus to restore it, why would the public want it? Let the Arizona Inn sell and develop responsibly, further their restorations of the Arizona Inn, increase the tax base and actually turn this property into something that benefits the public through job creation and revenue.
Welcome back, Tim Vanderpool. You. Have. Been . Missed.
Per above. Not so fast. The developer and current operators of the AZ INN schemed in complete secrecy, deliberately keeping even the closest neighbors in the dark… obviously hoping to get a completed demolition before anyone could stop it.
If it was No Big Deal, why the Cloak and Dagger?
As to “Why do we want it?” Thank you for asking…. 🙂
Our community does not need to demonstrate its devotion by obsessively visiting local landmarks. It has been a while since I visited San Xavier and I doubt if I will EVER climb Boboquivari, but, I take pride in the fact that they are THERE, and I will use every ounce of my community spirit to defend them.
Once upon a time, a generous family believed in the future of this town. They took a risk and built a remarkable one-of-a-kind structure to demonstrate their commitment to their community and to everyone who would come after.
The LEAST we can do is to honor and remember them by preserving their home.
Brad Holland, Esq
All good points humanbean. Sad but good.
I’m depressed.
Wow. Vanderpool is back!
Brad,
You are comparing a dilapidated mansion built in 1924 for a sick man to a one of a kind Spanish mission, with deep cultural, political and historical implications, and to a mountain. Really?
I refer you back to where I call preservationist efforts in this case to be tired….. Yawn.
According to interviews with Steve Kozachik there has been cooperation between the developer and the neighborhood. If this is not true, hold him accountable, that’s my source.
Kudos Tim, for bringing to light a subject that money and power could have easily steam rolled through the citizenry without notice. Having moved away from the Old Pueblo for quite some time now and having been shocked at what has occurred, witnessed during a few trips back. I am amazed at the little value placed upon sites of historic significance. It brings to mind the loss of the Old Degrazia studio that became Del Arte De Rosita Restaurant only to be “Gentrified” as a Gas Station. It is ironic that on this day reading your piece I also read of the completion of the journey of a prairie home in Evanston, Il. purchased because of its architectural value for $10.00 and moved several miles over months for a cost of several hundred thousand dollars. We can only hope that there are more individuals capable of creating wealth that value history than those that wish to grow it for obscene grandiose spectacle.
I am a close neighbor of this property and there was no cooperation at all between the seller, the developer and us. We found out indirectly – including elderly residents who love the area because of the wildlife and have been incredibly upset as much by the lack of information as by the potential ‘loss’ of shade (there are magnificent trees that cool the whole neighborhood), openness (not gated) wildlife (resident hawks, owls, bobcats, hummingbirds, coyotes and king snakes), and peace and quiet. Only in the last few days – after the demolition permit was issued – were there meetings with anyone. That said I am sympathetic to the Inn’s financial situation and want it preserved and successful – I don’t mind new friendly neighbors either but just wish there was a way to preserve the house and trees and not have a gated community that is high density.
Shouldn’t Tim Vanderpool disclose that he used to work at the Arizona Inn? Seems like a material detail.
Worked there more than 20 years ago, enjoyed my job, and departed quite amicably.
Better late than never… I guess in your view that was outside the conflict of interest statute of limitations.
More like the statute of utter irrelevance.
Tim Vanderpool rules! Finally, something positive for TW returns.
Now, let’s work on returning News of the Weird, album release reviews, live concert reviews, the Nine Questions segments, Bob Grimm’s Now Showing at Home reviews, more film reviews and anything else I am forgetting that was happening when Mr. Boegle was in charge.
I have never missed Jimmy more than now.
I have been an employee of The Arizona Inn for 37 years and have always taken pride in working for an establishment started to help wounded vets find employment after WW1. Isabella Greenway, our first congresswoman was an inspiration to everyone who knew her during her life and also to me. Her granddaughter Patty Doar and her son Will Conroy took over management of The Inn when no one else wanted to. At the time The Inn was in desperate need of upgrading. They turned things around and made The Inn into a successful and viable hotel again! There is no doubt in my mind that without their input The Inn would no longer be the best hotel in Tucson. They have always been involved with neighborhood issues and host Neighborhood association meetings every month. It really bothers me for anyone to characterize Will Conroy as deceptive or trying to sell this property in any kind of secret fashion. The Inn Inc. has owned this property for many, many years and could have sold it at any point. The fact that they didn’t speaks to their love of trying to save history! If at this point they are selling, it is because the property is not worth saving. Where were all of you historical preservationists for the last 80 years while this property was wasting away? I’m sorry if some neighbors will miss the big trees and wild animals but the fact is that the only thing keeping this neighborhood and the residents property values up is THe Arizona Inn!!! I thank God for Will Conroy because without his ongoing efforts to keep The Inn alive it could easily have been sold!!! and that’s something that I don’t ever want to see!!! I love The Arizona Inn!!!! On a side note, Tim Vanderpool is a good friend of mine. Although I don’t agree with his characterization of this situation, I can tell you that he was a great employee and did leave under pleasant circumstance. I am also so a lover of historic properties and hate when an old building or house is torn down. I wish those who are so worried about this one house would turn their attention to the many properties that are being routinely torn down to make way for the aviation parkway connection. It is ripping right through my neighborhood and demolishing historic wherehouses and homes that have been there for 100 years!!!!
That is some prime real estate. I vote we build a replica on the East Side, maybe at one of the old closed down schools that might become an Outpatient/Rehabilitation Clinic? I live on the East Side and I wish I had this problem. First world Tucson problems?
Mr. Seymour, Your obvious dedication to a historic establishment is honorable. However your argument as to where were the preservationists is questionable. Were they ever made aware of the need for assistance? Was the property held and not properly maintained in hopes of future value? How do you think Jill would feel about dozing that area? The bottom line is that it still exists unlike recently destroyed Assyrian relics of history. As long as no value of history is justified by financial gain we will continue to lose objects of importance for our growth as a civilization. Tucson is Cowboys, Ranchers, Outlaws and the Rodeo and it’s support of Tucson’s founders. The American Quarter Horse Association was founded in Tucson. In Austin, Texas they like to say “Keep Austin Weird” I suggest Tucson adapt “Keep Tucson, Tucson” you don’t have far to go if you would rather live in Phoenix. And in full disclosure I have not had the pleasure of arguing a point with Tim at a Bar in close to 20 years but still consider him a friend. Hang on to what you have because what you get is worth much less.
The point is that no one even talked, cared or worried about this property, or even knew it was there until it was about to be sold. Now it is so “important” to save by the same people who didn’t know or care it existed! If Tucson is “cowboys, ranchers,outlaws and the rodeo then why weren’t these cowboys, ranchers, and rodeo outlaws visiting and cherishing this “important shrine” to their beginnings? The Greenway family and it’s heirs have done more to save history than anyone I know. This is their property, and I trust the families decision to do what they want with it. Perhaps all of you cowboys and rodeo fans should start to investigate other properties which you deem important to rodeo history if you have even bothered to research the topic. Or you could wait until The Tucson Weekly tells you what to save. But by then it would be too late. I miss the rodeo parade when it was downtown!!! Now it is delegated to the south side. Isn’t it about time we stopped making animals perform for us anyway? Keeping them in captivity is one thing, but making them be part of a show that glorifies man’s dominance over animals is a bit much in this day and age, wouldn’t you say?
The fact that no one was aware of or visited this property does not make it any less valuable. Its association to an individual with ties to the rodeo do not relate in any way to support or disdain for animal related activities. The point is that this property that was built on the outskirts of Tucson still exists today. I strongly believe in personal property rights. The owners of the property are not in question. The question is are there not enough people sitting on enough money in Tucson to save an oasis of time past to compensate the owners need for financial resources? It’s amazing this property still exists in its location. It could be a time capsule for what once was. If it were not for individuals that believed in Tucson this concern for a dot in the desert would be mute. I am not advocating for any particular use of the property, it just seems to me that something that has survived this long deserves more respect. Kind of like an abandoned animal in a shelter it deserves to be saved.
Some of the neighbors have been trying to approach the Arizona Inn about the property for several years to see what we could do to help. We have always cared about this property and would have worked hard to find ways to preserve it. One possibility has always been to discuss the property with UA, as it might have been possible to find a donor to help turn it into something of value to the university and the community.
Too Late, Too Little, I’m sure the demolition will occur. Thirteen very wealthy individuals will all squeeze onto 3 acres and hold lavish dinner parties reveling in the historic value of the property they obtained. It’s not too late to go down the road just a bit and grant historical significance to the home of Joseph Bonanno one of if not the only La Costra Nostra Familia Patrons to die a natural death in the Old Pueblo. OMERTA! Now that’s a story Tim.
The more I read, the more it is obvious that this a NIMBY issue.
I do appreciate the reporter actually reporting though. It is a shame that the residents will lose some open land in this area, as well as some wildlife and natural foliage.
If the real estate lawyers and home builders do anything illegal or unethical, please keep us apprised.
Wonderful to see you back, Tim, and fighting the good fight, as always.
Big trees, owls, bobcats, long-undisturbed acreage in the middle of town? I could care less about the house but I’m with Birdgrril on the value of the habitat.
Is the Arizona Inn *really* not making enough to keep the heirs comfortable?
Hey here’s an idea!! Have someone sneak some Pygmy Owls and Mexican Brown Bats on to the property. That should hold up development for 15 or 20 years. Then let the Az. Inn charge $18.00 a ticket for people to look at them. Everybody can do the happy dance !!!!
Demolition of the house is scheduled to begin next week. Abatement is complete. Is there anything that can be done in the 11th hour??
If anyone had been in the house, they would know. It was a wonderful historic landmark of Tucson’s past. Seen from outside you’d have no clue and so it has been lost. Truly a shame.