Since its construction in 1908, Villa Fruhinsholz has been a house for residential use. Today, the villa is divided into three apartments and is inhabited by its owners (a couple, a young couple and a family with two children aged 8 and 4 years old). In recent years, we have had the wrought iron gratings restored, we have carried out waterproofing work on the terraces and we have had the beams of the framework treated against lignivorous insects. Thus, we are committed and invest to maintain the beauty and integrity of this villa we are fortunate enough to live in. However, our resources will not be enough. We therefore humbly embark on this campaign to save a masterpiece of Nancy Art Nouveau.
In 1901, Mr Villard, the owner of Saurupt Castle in Nancy, wanted to develop his land. His idea was to build a park closed by gates where isolated villas would be located surrounded by gardens. This park of Saurupt exists since 1903. Only 6 villas are built, one of which is Villa Fruhinsholz. The project will be modified to accommodate semi-detached houses and the park entrance gates will be removed. In 1918, the castle of Saurupt is demolished. The park will be completed around 1930 and will therefore be composed of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture.
The Villa Fruhinsholz, in Art Nouveau style, was designed in 1908 by the architect Léon Cayotte and has magnificent stained-glass windows by master glassmaker Jacques Grüber. Adolphe Fruhinsholz, son, the villa's sponsor, is the technical director of the Fruhinsholz cooperage, which became known for its barrels and received a multitude of national and international awards.
On March 30, 1992, the building was listed in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments as being of public interest for its Art Nouveau architecture.
This villa is now over 110 years old. She lived through two wars and did not always receive the care she deserved. Today, we are doing our utmost to preserve this house and remedy these shortcomings. But maintaining such a gem is a challenge beyond us. We are launching this campaign because the condition of the frame and stained glass windows is worrying.
The original frame of the house was infected with house longhorn beetles. While we were able to treat the main beams and stop the infection of the master pieces, we discovered that the said framework was modified twice: the original flat roof was covered with a zinc roof, above which a tile roof was then added. We would like to remove these structures and remove the infected wood in order to restore the roof to its original state.
The second part of the work concerns the stained-glass windows by master glassmaker Jacques Grüber. These have never been restored since their installation in early 1900. As time goes by, the woodwork moves and threatens the integrity of the stained glass windows. The stained glass windows and their woodwork must be dismantled, cleaned and repaired. This will give them back their robustness and brilliance.
The villa is made of dressed limestone; again, a number of these stones need to be changed, especially those of the entrance porch. This site is less of a concern than the previous two because the integrity of the building is not at stake. However, if your help allows us, we will have them restored.
We need your support to make this villa, which is one of the symbols of Nancy's Art Nouveau, safe as quickly as possible. We are counting on your generosity to reach the goal of our participatory jackpot.
Here are the different levels to reach:
- Stage 1: €1,200
Initially, we will restore the stained glass windows around the front door as the condition is very worrying since a vergette has fallen. The stained glass windows will be dismantled, set in new lead, soldered with tin, cleaned and then repositioned.
If this goal is achieved:
- Stage 2: €29,900, which will enable us to finance the restoration of the roof. Thus, a flat roof similar to the original one could replace the various frames and roofs that have been added over time.
- Stage 3: 42,600 €, which will enable us to finance the restoration of the woodwork and stained glass windows in the central part of the stairwell.
- Stage 4: €61,000, which will enable us to finance the restoration of the woodwork and stained glass windows of the two stairwell panels.
Since its construction in 1908, Villa Fruhinsholz has been a house for residential use. Today, the villa is divided into three apartments and is inhabited by its owners (a couple, a young couple and a family with two children aged 8 and 4 years old). In recent years, we have had the wrought iron gratings restored, we have carried out waterproofing work on the terraces and we have had the beams of the framework treated against lignivorous insects. Thus, we are committed and invest to maintain the beauty and integrity of this villa we are fortunate enough to live in. However, our resources will not be enough. We therefore humbly embark on this campaign to save a masterpiece of Nancy Art Nouveau.
On March 30, 1992, the building was listed in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments as being of public interest for its Art Nouveau architecture. We wish to preserve and restore it.
You can support this project:
- by making an online donation by credit card on this page after registering on the Dartagnans site
- by making a bank transfer after registering on the Dartagnans website
- for French donors only, by sending a cheque, on the back of which you will write your e-mail address, made out to "SDC 77 avenue du général Leclerc", sent to the following address
Dartagnans
Campagne RESTAURATION VILLA FRUHINSHOLZ ART-NOUVEAU
15 rue de Milan
75009 PARIS
Patrons or sympathizers, we thank you very much for taking part in this adventure.
Thanks to your financial support and by sharing this project around you, on social, friendly and even professional networks you become part of our project.
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We really hope you like and support our project!
