320 Acres – 72,000 sq. ft. – 199 rooms!
At the time, Abigail House was one of the three largest private homes in the United States. The residence was built in central Ohio by the Chairman/Founder of The Limited and Victoria’s Secret. The total cost is confidential, yet was in the high 8 figures.
Craftsmen who had worked on some of this country’s most prestigious residences were interviewed at the location of their projects—the homes of Ralph Lauren, Sanford Ziff (Ziff-Davis Publishing), Eleanor Johnson (Johnson & Johnson), as well as other Wexner residences in Aspen and New York City. Based on these interviews, craftsmen were recruited from France, Italy and throughout the US. The finest materials were used, resulting in the ultimate of high-end finishes.
The home featured hand-made brick, hand-made slate, 600 tons of structural steel, 3,000 cubic yards of concrete, a 300 foot reflecting pond, as well as a mini orchard for which 600 mature apple trees were replanted. Out buildings included a timber-frame party barn, greenhouse, pool and tennis facility, and a state-of-the-art indoor riding arena and tack room.
The home was designed by world-renowned designer Thierry Despont, the designer responsible for the centennial restoration of the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island.
The Abigail House project won dozens of craftsmanship awards from the Builder’s Exchange of Central Ohio, as well as the ABC and AIC. The guest pavilions were even featured in the July 2004 issue of Architectural Digest after being decorated by the legendary international designer John Stefanidis who designed the interior of the main house as well.
David Rosenof began the project as the onsite estimator performing subcontractor sourcing and negotiations as well as budget control. He later moved into the role of managing over $20 million of high-end interior finishes from design, sourcing and shop drawings through fabrication and installation. Products were sourced from France, Italy, London, Canada and throughout the US.
This work was completed while Dave was employed by L. Tobiason & Associates.
“I have found Dave to be a man of integrity, honesty, and competence.”
Jeffrey J. Smith
“Dave illustrated a superior knowledge of all facets of the construction industry. He was able to coordinate an extremely complicated construction phasing schedule yet keep the project within budget for both myself as a subcontractor, as well as for the owner. Dave’s organizational skills came to light during a myriad of value engineering ideas, project bulletins and change orders. These numerous changes were clear and concise, and Dave was able to present cost-saving ideas to the owner as well as improve the overall value of the project.”
