Hundreds of items up for auction from historic VanLandingham estate

The VanLandingham Estate in Plaza Midwood is preparing to move into its next chapter as its longtime owner has decided to sell off everything but the house in an upcoming online auction.

More than 500 lots — inclusive of nearly all objects inside the 7,088-square-foot estate and adjoining guest house — will be up for auction in two separate sales starting Tuesday and ending Sept. 15. The VanLandingham, at 2010 The Plaza, has been an events venue and bed-and-breakfast for a number of years but because of the size of the property — which measures nearly 5 acres, including substantial grounds and garden — and the subsequent cost of maintenance and taxes, the business hasn’t been as profitable as The Morehead Inn, which the VanLandingham’s owners also operate.

“We’ve never been what I would describe as successful here and, in fact, for many of the years we’ve owned it, we’ve lost money,” said Billy Maddalon, who is part of Unique Southern Estates, the group that has owned and operated the VanLandingham for 20 years. “At some point, you just have to say, ‘We’ve tried everything we could try.’”

Maddalon has hired online estate sale company Everything But The House to conduct an auction for the VanLandingham’s furniture, artwork, decor, Persian rugs, catering equipment and hundreds of other items in the historic home. Bids will start at $1 and all auctioning will be done online, with winners able to pick up their items on Sept. 17 or have them shipped.

Eventually, Maddalon plans to lease the house to one or more commercial tenants, such as a small office user, a restaurant or a catering business. A townhouse development along the perimeter of the property is also in the works.

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