Pictures: Exclusive look inside Gamble Rogers’ famous Merrywood

Merrywood sits on 3.67-acres. The estate is one of only 30 or so homes James Gamble Rogers II designed that remain standing in Winter Park. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A view from the formal dining room toward the breakfast room in Merrywood. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The boathouse on Lake Osceola at Merrywood, the 7,300-square-foot, 3.7-acre estate designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The fate of the empty villa built in 1939 is being debated by city leaders and preservationists who want to prevent its possible demolition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

There is a vintage hot tub at Merrywood. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A view from the backyard of Merrywood (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The pantry in Merrywood, the 7,300-square-foot, 3.7-acre estate designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The fate of the empty villa built in 1939 is being debated by city leaders and preservationists who want to prevent its possible demolition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A view of the shoreline and boathouse facing Lake Osceola at Merrywood. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The living room of Merrywood in Winter Park has an applied wooden molding intended to simulate ornate coffered panels. The door left of the fireplace leads to the loggia, while arched openings lead to the reception room at left and the enclosed terrace at right.c(Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A view of the living room from the reception room in Merrywood. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A view from the backyard of Merrywood, the 7,300-square-foot, 3.7-acre estate designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The fate of the empty villa built in 1939 is being debated by city leaders and preservationists who want to prevent its possible demolition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A view of the pool deck facing Lake Osceola at Merrywood, the 7,300-square-foot, 3.7-acre estate designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The fate of the empty villa built in 1939 is being debated by city leaders and preservationists who want to prevent its possible demolition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The sunken patio in the back of Merrywood. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Merrywood, photographed on June 30, 2026, is located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The principal bedroom in Merrywood. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A view from the entry hall into the loggia, which is a covered corridor or gallery, in Merrywood, the 7,300-square-foot, 3.7-acre estate designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The fate of the empty villa built in 1939 is being debated by city leaders and preservationists who want to prevent its possible demolition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A path of red brick pavers leads from the patio of Merrywood to the pool and pool house. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A view from the side yard of Merrywood, the 7,300-square-foot, 3.7-acre estate designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The fate of the empty villa built in 1939 is being debated by city leaders and preservationists who want to prevent its possible demolition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A path of red brick pavers leads from the patio of Merrywood to the pool and pool house. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A view of the enclosed terrace from the living room in Merrywood, the 7,300-square-foot, 3.7-acre estate designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The fate of the empty villa built in 1939 is being debated by city leaders and preservationists who want to prevent its possible demolition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Carpeted stairs in Merrywood, the 7,300-square-foot, 3.7-acre estate designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The banister on the wall is metal covered in velvet. The fate of the empty villa built in 1939 is being debated by city leaders and preservationists who want to prevent its possible demolition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The entry hall in Merrywood. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The elevator in Merrywood has a scissor gate and walls covered in a green-and-white floral Damask design. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Carpeted stairs in Merrywood, the 7,300-square-foot, 3.7-acre estate designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The banister on the wall is metal covered in velvet. The fate of the empty villa built in 1939 is being debated by city leaders and preservationists who want to prevent its possible demolition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A demolish notice posted by the City of Winter Park at Merrywood. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

A vintage intercom device in the kitchen of Merrywood, the 7,300-square-foot, 3.7-acre estate designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II, located on Palmer Avenue in Winter Park, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The fate of the empty villa built in 1939 is being debated by city leaders and preservationists who want to prevent its possible demolition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The main staircase in the entry hall in Merrywood has ornate wrought-iron railings and balusters with a velvet-covered handrail on the wall. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)