Lakewood Lore

Historic mansion is being restored

Early on, Lakewood became known as the city of beautiful homes. Nowadays, this reputation is enhanced each time an older residence of note is restored or renovated.

Today, one of the most extensive of such facelifts is in progress at the magnificent English Tudor mansion at 17818 Lake Road, Clifton Park, built in 1924 and which once was the home of cosmetics tycoon Otto F. Leopold.

Current owners Ray and Carolyn Castelluccio started planning the restoration shortly after acquiring the home in 1989. As enthusiasm mounted, they engaged area professionals to take the reins.

After 43 years as an interior designer, Kenneth G. Mahall, who grew up in Lakewood, came out of retirement to take on the project.

“We are attempting, in many cases, to restore it to its original, while, at the same time, being attentive to modernizing for efficiency,” designer Mahall explained.

Teaming with him are general contractor Greg M. Allen of Avon and Lakewood architect James Larsen, who describes the historical residence as “an architectural marvel, a storybook home of fine, authentic detailing.”

Further mirroring his gung-ho approach to the assignment, Larsen pointed out that the home presents an illusion.

“It appears huge, like an English country estate, but also manifests warmth and coziness. It is as comfortable with a party of 100 as with a family of six,” he said.

Actual renovation, started in June 1990, intended to be a five-year project. Now, it appears, it will not be completed until mid-1996.

Work finished to date includes new plumbing, kitchens, bath, exercise room, driveway, patio and garden. The latter is a spacious English cutting garden, encircling an expansive rear lawn overlooking Lake Erie.

“I love cut flowers and keep them everywhere inside,” owner Carolyn said.

The most notable, eye-catching exterior feature of the three-story brick home, however, is the two story window of leaded glass, highlight of the living room in the front.

A showpiece that can be seen in this window each year end is a tall Christmas tree.

“We Castelluccios are hard-working and low-key,” Carolyn wanted it known. “But we make an exception during every holiday season with our outside Christmas lighting and an 18-foot decorated tree in the living room.”

Incidentally, the tall tree, a tradition that was begun by early owner Leopold, is one ensuing occupants have tried to keep up through the years.

The living room is not the only room with a leaded glass window, it should be pointed out. Actually, there are 110 windows in the house, all with leaded glass, according to Mahall.

There are 14 rooms, including three bedrooms and five bathrooms. In the beginning, there were additional bedrooms but, because all were not needed, one was converted into an exercise room and another into a dressing room. Also, an upper-floor ballroom now serves as a billiard room.

“Much of the charm of the home is in the general detailing throughout, from the wrought-iron stair rail to the paneled doors of inlaid wood,” Mahall noted.

The library at the rear of the living room is a case in point. It features hand-carved paneling in Circassian walnut, a fireplace and a ceiling with entwining medallions in relief, and a complete collection of the classics, all in gold-trimmed leather-bound volumes.

The history of the home starts with Lakewoodite William H. Nilges, an architect-builder who bought the property in 1922 and built the place on speculation two years later.

Nilges lived in it for more then a year before selling to Otto Leopold and his wife Nelle in 1926. Leopold headed the well-known Pompeiian Manufacturing Co., a Cleveland firm that made vanishing creams, face powder, rouge, an after-shave preparation and a hair cream for dandruff.

The Leopolds’ daughter, Elsa, who died in Lakewood two months ago at age 89, was married in the home’s two-story, arched living room in ‘29 to William Andrew “Andy” Watters, highly regarded Lakewood High School science teacher and track coach, who died in ‘90 at age 83.

Harry and Beatrice Krantz bought the home in ‘40 and sold it to R. Edward Stein in ‘51. The Stein family stayed for five years before it was purchased by Joe Erdelac, a prominent area American Motors dealer.

The Erdelacs remained until it was sold to Gregory S. Devine in ‘58. Owners following were Leo E. and M.J. Engasser, who moved in in ‘65, Barbara R. Diemer in ‘68, Fred and Mary Dressler in ‘80.

The Castelluccios, who took ownership from the Dresslers six years ago, originally are from Cincinnati. Ray, whose grandparents came to this country from northern Italy, graduated from the University of Cincinnati and has a master’s degree from Xavier University. Carolyn, whose maiden name was Hauke and is of German stock, also attended UC.

They first were married in 1965 and came north three years later, moving first to Fairview Park and later to Rocky River before settling into their current home in ‘91.

The couple operates Area Temps, an employment service supplying temporary help to all employers. It has 11 locations, including downtown Cleveland, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Parma, Mayfield Heights and Mentor.

The company has more then 100 employees, with Ray serving as president and Carolyn as vice president. The Castelluccios have two sons -- Marc, 28, and Kent, 24 -- both of whom work for their parents.

“We’re most fond of Lakewood,” Carolyn said. “It is a lovely city and very convenient to our main office in the Cleveland Athletic Club Building. And, of course, we always dreamed of a beautiful view of the lake.”

This article by Dan Chabek appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post August 17, 1995. Reprinted with permission.

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