A replica is being constructed by architect Harold Smith and
structural engineer Albert Gargiulo, who said, “We are trying to work within
the constraints of the decaying structure, and he recommends using reinforced
interior masonry resting on a new foundation.
The contractor is John Rossi. A
stop-work order was issued by the town according to the September 5, 2014 issue
of the Palm Beach Daily News and on September 19th the paper
reported that demolition was approved.
The house sits on 2.2 acres with 143’ of oceanfront. Interiors included old world detailing, cornices,
moldings, arches, pecky cypress, 12’ ceilings.
There is a private tunnel to the beach, a 60’ pool, tennis court,
oceanfront cabana, 5-car garage and whole house generator. There was a finished basement and 680 ft of
parking, fireplace and garden. Public
records show the house was sold in August 2013 for $86,699 while the Palm Beach Daily News reported on
that day that the house sold for $10+MM and included an adjacent 4-bedroom
guest house on South County Road. The
property is on a curve on South County and sale totaled $17.4MM.
The Palm Beach Town Council voted in January 2012 not to
designate a Mediterranean Revival-style house at 100 El Bravo Way, a
Landmark. A 2000 sq ft addition to the
1922 home by Marion Sims Wyeth had altered the building’s form to such an extent
that it no longer met the landmark criteria.
The work included a second floor added to the north portion of the house,
saying “this is a different house. It doesn’t serve as a representative specimen
of Wyeth.”
