One of the Old West End’s most noted and beautiful homes is now under the care of new owners who say they’re eager to move their family into the historic neighborhood.
The area was once full of the city’s most prominent families, and many of their lavish homes remain. The Gothic-inspired Tudor at 2210 Robinwood Ave. is widely recognized as one of the best.
“It’s just stunning,” Matt Mishler said. “It does need a little attention here and there, but we’re ready and excited to do it.”
Mr. Mishler and his wife, Laura, closed on the home Tuesday.
For the Mishlers, purchasing the historic mansion fulfills a long dream.
“We’ve wanted an old home,” Mrs. Mishler said. “When we bought our current house 15 years ago, we couldn't find anything that fit our family’s needs.”
The couple has four children, two of whom are now in college.
The Mishlers ended up settling in a nice house on a quiet street in Lambertville. The home served them well for the last 15 years, but Mr. Mishler said they were ready for a change.
“We were a little bored, I think, being your standard suburbanites,” he said.
There’s nothing standard about their new home.
Commissioned in 1901 by a man who made his sizable fortune in the licorice business, the house on Robinwood has an interesting history. After the original owner moved out, none other than John North Willys moved in. The automotive pioneer lived in the home for a number of years before selling to an investment banker.
More owners have come and gone over the last 70-plus years, but the Tillinghast-Willys-Bell home still carries the names of its first three occupants.
Like many Old West End properties, the home has a somewhat eclectic mix of architectural styles. One of the most striking features, though, is the liberal use of quartersawn oak. The first floor and stairway are awash in the rich wood.
“To open that huge leaded glass door and walk into that grand staircase, it’s beautiful,” Mrs. Mishler said.
The home retains many original items, including bathroom fixtures and a large pedestal sink. Real estate agents who work in the Old West End have said it’s one of the most original homes in the neighborhood.
It’s also huge. It has eight bedrooms and more than 8,000 square feet of usable space.
Jon Modene, owner of Re/Max Masters in Perrysburg, was the agent who sold the home. He said it was a complex house and a complex negotiation, but he’d never seen a more determined buyer.
"Event after event made it a really complex sale, but it was a journey of love for the Mishlers, and they got their house and they’re happy,” Mr. Modene said. “They’re going to restore it to its glory.”
The home was originally listed at $299,000. Property records show it sold for $270,000.
The Mishlers are excited to be closer to downtown Toledo and to be a part of the Old West End neighborhood.
“We believe a lot in Toledo. Toledo’s been very good to us, and we’re perfectly comfortable moving down there,” said Mr. Mishler, who works in sales for a local company. “We know lots of people there who are friends, and they love it.”
Contact Tyrel Linkhorn at tlinkhorn@theblade.com or 419-724-6134 or on Twitter @BladeAutoWriter.
First Published May 16, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
