Visually Preserving an Un-preservable Local Treasure
I had posted photographs from this mansion earlier and was going to make it a series with several parts, Instead, I’m creating a new post with more information and photography.
The McNeal mansion was built around 1894 in Burlington, New Jersey as the dream house of a local industrialist named Andrew McNeal. It sits along the Delaware River next to his successful cast iron pipe foundry. At the time, his home was one of New Jersey’s crown jewels.
A few years later in 1899, that jewel lost some of its luster when McNeal sold his company and the mansion became the corporate offices of the new owners, the US Pipe Corporation. Over the years the company added three wings to the building. The mansion started looking less like a home and more like an office building with some really nice architectural features.
As market conditions and economies changed, US Pipe shifted its home base and manufacturing facilities around. The McNeal Mansion was relegated to the role of a regional sales office and then ultimately abandoned in 1975 as the company scaled back its New Jersey operations.
In the ensuing years, fire, vandalism and neglect has caused the ill-fated McNeal mansion to fall into a terrible state of disrepair. Even though it is listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, it may be beyond restoration. At the moment, the only good thing going for it is a fence around the property with a main gate located in the parking lot of a police station.
When I entered the mansion for the first time, I was greeted by a state of total devastation like I have never seen before. It looked like the aftermath of a battle. Nothing seemed salvageable. The fine architectural details are ruined, rotted or broken. The walls, ceilings and floors are crumbling, and even the graffiti is worn and faded.
The McNeal mansion is extremely well built with solid walls and a steel frame. “Good Bones” is what the architects call it. However the price tag to restore the mansion is estimated at about $5,000,000, so redevelopment of the property will probably mean the mansion will be demolished.
I thought it was important to create a photographic record of the interior to show how elegance can fade to a state that is almost beyond recognition. You can take the photographic tour below.
The McNeal Mansion’s Rooms
An interesting thing about the rooms in the McNeal Mansion is that they are large and no two seem to be alike. Each room has a unique fireplace made with different kinds of tile and woodwork.
McNeal Mansion Parlor by Richard Lewis 2016
McNeal Mansion Room with Rounded Walls by Richard Lewis 2016
Room With A Small Fireplace by Richard Lewis 2016
Don’t Jump by Richard Lewis 2016
McNeal Mansion Attic Room by Richard Lewis 2016
The Grand Staircase
Fire and decay have ruined this once spectacular, three story wooden grand staircase.
Total Devastation by Richard Lewis 2016
McNeal Mansion Hallway View by Richard Lewis 2016
McNeal Mansion Grand Staircase by Richard Lewis 2016
Windows and Doors
Through out the McNeal mansion there are many different styles of windows and doors that provide unique views of the overgrown grounds and the sorry state of the mansion’s decay.
View Towards The Delaware River by Richard Lewis 2016
Doorway To Devastation by Richard Lewis 2016
Window On Devastation by Richard Lewis 2016
McNeal Mansion Interior Hallway by Richard Lewis 2016
McNeal Mansion Window View by Richard Lewis 2016
McNeal Mansion Burned Out Room by Richard Lewis 2016
US Pipe’s Offices
When I first scouted the mansion I was perplexed by several very large rooms that did not seem like living space. Later I discovered that the mansion spent most of its life as an office building and these rooms were added as office space by US Pipe in the 1930’s.
McNeal Mansion Office Area by Richard Lewis 2016
Abandoned Office by Richard Lewis 2016
Out Of Order by Richard Lewis 2016
Hope and Failure
In the 1990’s there were big plans for the McNeal Mansion to be reborn as a restaurant, conference center and hotel. An outdoor restaurant opened on a massive deck as restoration began on the building. Just as things were looking good for the old place, the partners split up, the restaurant closed and the mansion was again boarded up and abandoned. A fire in 2001 added further devastation making restoration just about hopeless.
Big Plans by Richard Lewis 2016
Riverside Restaurant At The McNeal Mansion by Richard Lewis 2016
How long it will be before the cranes show up with their wrecking balls to demolish the McNeal Mansion? Friends in city government tell me that several developers want to build on the site and there is even talk of restoring the mansion. With the huge price tag involved, one has to wonder if that is wishful thinking, but let’s hope not.
These photographs may be the last ones recording the final sad chapter in the history of the historic McNeal Mansion.
Click here for more photographs of the McNeal Mansion on my website
Great documentation before it’s all gone. My iPhone app isn’t showing the complete set of pictures from the original post. So maybe you have a photo there, but is there a photo of a glimpse of this place from the distance through the trees or something of that nature? Often these relics are more interesting in the mystery they present as a small detail in the landscape.
Thanks for the comment Terry. I’ve been working on getting a good photo through the trees but it is so over grown that it is difficult to find something. Now that the trees have leaves it is even more difficult. You suggestion is a good idea and I will keep trying.
Thanks for the great pictorial history. The photos are wonderful as always. Sad to read what you wrote about this once glorious mansion. I’d hate to see buildings decay like this.
Thank you for your comment Ina. Seeing decay like this always gives me mixed feelings. It is sad to see a spectacular building like this one go to ruin, but deep in side, it is a place for me to create. I feel a bit guilty about the latter thought.
Fabulous abandoned work!
Thank you Laura. I appreciate your comment.
You’re welcome Rich. 🙂
Well done series. Love to explore places like this.
Thanks Craig. There is something fascinating about these abandoned places. This one was a real treasure.
Great job documenting it Rich, nice images!
Thanks Michael. It was an interesting project to work on.
fascinating! I think only those with an artistic twist would actually see the shapes, textures, layerings as the wonderful Art Subject they are. Love these!
You may be right about that Debi, but it’s the artists who tend to find the shapes, textures and layers just about everywhere. This place was really fascinating to me.
yes, I can not stop seeing those things. Every where. 🙂
hey rich i have a question for you about this place.
John, I sent you an email.
Unfortunately, the mansion suffered another catastrophic fire early this morning, it’s unsure what part of the structure remains, if any.
I heard about that Jean. It’s a shame that our history can be destroyed like this.