 |
| Lido Shores Landmark known as the "Bobby Vinton" house is torn down |
Built on two lots, it was last listed for $5.5-million. The owners, LSPOA members Ralph and Sheri Trine, bought the house in 2003 and tried to sell the house intact, but without success. Their last offer fell through, so they reluctantly decided to go through an extensive permitting process to tear it down. It likely now has a better chance to sell as two-lots, to be listed at $3.2-million each.
 |
| The observation turret comes down |
Built in 1956 and remodeled many times over the years, the house was a landmark. Its third-story turret-like observatory/media room, added in the 1980's, was where Vinton wrote and recorded music.
Vinton, whose many singles include 1963's "Blue Velvet", moved out 20-years ago and now lives on Manasota Key. But the name stuck, and the symbolic curtains he installed had hung in the two-story piano room ever since.
According to Sheri Trine, the blue velvet drapes will live on. They were shipped to Angola, Indiana to be altered and will be placed in a theater at the family's namesake Trine University.
 |
| Vinton's Blue Velvet Drapes in piano room of 1415 Westway Drive |
As for the Bobby Vinton bench, Sheri says the Trine's gave it to the Vintons, who loved it, and is now at their home.
The singer and his wife Dolly were also known to come back to visit and reminisce about the house, and Bobby once serenaded Sheri with a special version of Happy Birthday.
Sheri says the Trines had lots of outstanding memories of their time at 1415 Westway. They hosted many dinner parties, Gloria Musicae, (Choral Artists of Sarasota), and would have an Easter event every year with 34-children and parents from Indiana complete with Easter baskets for each. "I could go on and on", Sheri says. "Very special."
Sheri says for health reasons, she and husband Ralph have moved to the Grand Mariner condo on north Longboat Key.
~BT
bthill@icloud.com
 |
| 1415 Westway Drive in its glory days |
No comments:
Post a Comment