TUDORIFIC TRANSFORMATION A landmark estate in Indian Hill is restored to its original opulence. Written by Bridget Williams Photography by Andrew Kung Music Room
Positioned prominently on slightly more than a dozen verdant, undulating acres in Indian Hill, “Alberly Manor”, constructed from 1926-1928, is notable, even among the many historic manse that dot the landscape in the area’s rarefed air. Designed by architect Bloodgood Tuttle for Mr. and Mrs. William Albers, founder of Albers Super Markets, in the style of a English Tudor manor, the stately stone residence is enveloped by an equally impressive formally laid landscape, designed by Albert D. Taylor. A testament to the authenticity of the home’s “across the pond” architecture, a team of artisans were flown over from Europe to assist with the construction. No expense was spared and no detail overlooked; it’s estimated that the home’s oneinch-thick hand laid slate tile roof alone would cost $1million in today’s market. So notable was the finished project that photographs of the property taken by Margaret Bourke-White, the frst professional female photojournalist, were published in the July 1929 issue of Te Architect. 76 slmag.net
Over the past century, just four families have been privileged to call the estate home and the current owners, who acquired the property in 2011, have diligently gone about returning it to its former glory while making it conducive to the needs of a modern, active family. To accomplish this daunting task, which included undoing a host of renovations that ran contrary to the original plans, the homeowners enlisted the expertise of Kevin Schmitz and Bob Garretson of Brush Creek Building Group. Among the fortuitous discoveries stashed in various parts of the estate were the original blueprints, which, along with old photographs provided by descendants of the Albers, helped to guide the renovation process. “With the signifcant historic details intact and state-of-the-art upgrades, you have something that is unrivaled in the market,” said Renie Dohrmann, Executive Sales Vice President for Sibcy Cline, who has been contracted by the homeowners to list the estate.
