Castle Eden, a 123-year-old replica of the White House located west of Chicago, is set for demolition after its current owners, the Order of Carmelites, deemed the necessary renovations economically unfeasible. The building, constructed in 1903, was originally built by Republican U.S. Congressman Martin B. Madden as a 25th wedding anniversary gift for his wife, Josephine Smart.
Residents and local officials have expressed dismay over the impending demolition of the landmark. Suzanne Valliere, a lifelong resident of Darien, told the Chicago Tribune that many local people are shocked by the decision, as the structure has stood as a familiar monument in their community. The Catholic group purchased the property in 1959 for $65,000 and has used it as a spiritual retreat.
An online petition was launched by Debra Kieras, who grew up in the area, to save Castle Eden, describing it as "an irreplaceable gem of historic architecture and a testament to early 20th-century design." Kieras advocated for the building to be recognized as an official landmark and potentially repurposed into a museum or cultural center, stating that "preserving Castle Eden means preserving our roots."
Darien Mayor Joseph Marchese indicated that the city is unable to intervene, estimating renovation costs to be in the "several millions," which he described as "beyond what we're capable of doing." He added that while he wished the building could be preserved as a historic landmark, "it's not going to happen."
Some preservationists have suggested that the Carmelites did not explore avenues for landmark status, which could have provided access to financial grants and protected the building. Dean Rodkin, president of the Darien Historical Society, claimed the Carmelites were "not interested" in such suggestions, telling the Chicago Tribune that the order appears to want the building removed to make way for a structure that better suits their needs. The Order of Carmelites has stated that upkeep requires "extensive, systemic repairs to meet basic safety codes and modern operational standards," which exceed "what is economically feasible."
The Carmelites have not disclosed specific plans for the property or a timeline for demolition. Their stated goal is to create a space for "the Carmelite mission of prayer, contemplation, and community presence." The order intends to salvage elements from Castle Eden, including its entrance gates, stained-glass windows, dining-room paneling, and chandeliers, for integration into future plans. They also aim to preserve the 400-year-old oak trees on the land and erect a commemorative plaque acknowledging the site's history. Last week, the property was observed to be marked off with sawhorses and no trespassing signs, with workers present.