JOHN & MABLE RINGLING’S CA D’ZAN MANSION

Interview

Oct 31

We just returned from a very relaxing and fun spring break. I have to say, it was a much needed getaway and I managed to really unwind. Although, when you run your own firm, you never really unplug completely but even just a little helps to clear your mind and re-energize!

Having spent most of my Florida vacations on Siesta Key, I consider it my “second home.” And as I’ve heard time and time again, people tend to ignore the great sights their hometown offers. Sarasota is the home of the beautiful Ringling Ca’ d’Zan mansion which has been opened to the public to share the beauty of its architecture and interiors as well as a museum sharing all of John and Mable Ringling’s art collections. The first time I visited was with my husband, Emil, over 20 years ago and we decided our boys would enjoy visiting now, as young men. We’ve slowly been introducing them to different museums and they have learned to love art and architecture almost as much as Emil and I….or at least that’s what they tell us!

THE HISTORY OF CA D’ZAN

They broke ground on the 36,000 square foot waterfront home in 1924 and completed it in 1926 at a sum of $1.5 million dollars. The mansion was filled with italian marble, tile and stone based off of the oil sketchings, postcards and photos in Mable’s portfolio. She really was instrumental in driving everything in the creation of this gorgeous home.

Upon completion, John and Mable enjoyed living in their winter home for 3 years when sadly Mable succumbed to Addison’s disease and diabetes. From this point forward the home remained in the care of John Ringling until his death when bequeathed it to the people of Florida. It underwent years of neglect due to legal issues but then opened to the public in 1946. It was not in the condition it is today and was actually used as the location of Miss Havisham’s decrepit mansion in the 1996 remake of Charles Dickens’ classic Great Expectations.

In 2002, Ca’ d’Zan was fully restored to its original state at a cost of $15 million (10 times the original cost!) and is still one of America’s most visited architectural treasures.