Renovation The Mansion is reborn in 1997

During 1997, approximately 20,000 of the 36,000 square foot total building size was renovated.  Unusual to most renovations, the focus was on removing modern additions such as lighting (fluorescent 2 x 4 fixtures) and office partitions (consisting of drywall and medal studs) and replacing the modernized setting with the home's original characteristics.  Colleen Concannon, co-owner of the facility, oversaw, and fully participated in the daily restoration effort.  Ms. Concannon would love for you to admire the tile work in the restrooms since she spent many long hours laying the tile.

When visiting, don't miss the unique original tile on the porches or the brilliant Salvador Corona paintings surrounding the Rotunda's entrance.

In the years that followed the 1997 restoration, the remaining portions of the facility have been renovated to remove the modern office components of the mansion's past office space use.  But historic restoration is a costly endeavor.  Over $3,500,000 has been spent structurally reinforcing the facility (1980's remodel) and over $2,500,000 restoring the interior components of the mansion during 1997.

Atrium: before

Certainly the costs of historic restoration are not well suited for the investor seeking a profit on his or her investment, but the rewards of sharing local heritage with the community is the motivation and return on investment experienced by most historic preservationists, including the Concannon family.

Atrium: after