New Plan to Save Most of Historic Merrywood Advances Toward Final Vote

Nov. 10, 2026 By Beth Kassab Merrywood may be saved after all — or at least most of it. An agreement that would preserve at least 80% of the historic lakefront estate s square footage, along with 70% of the linear footage of its front facade, will be up for approval by the City Commission on Wednesday afternoon. If approved, the general terms of the amendment to the city s comprehensive plan would allow the nearly 4-acre lot at 1020 Palmer Avenue to be split in two while adding a deed restriction that runs with the land. The restriction would prohibit the demolition of most of the house and require any additions to be architecturally consistent with a Mediterranean, Mission, or James Gamble Rogers II influence. The deal represents a significant turnabout from just months ago, when the property appeared headed for certain demolition after the previous owners and an earlier prospective buyer said there was no hope of saving it. Last month, the commission delayed the second and final re