Epping Forest, Mediterranean Revival mansion in Jacksonville, US
Epping Forest is a Mediterranean Revival mansion on the banks of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida, set on a large wooded plot with formal gardens running down to the water. The building features arched openings, terracotta roof tiles, stucco walls, and open loggias that look out over the river.
The estate was built in the 1920s for Alfred I. du Pont and his wife Jessie Ball du Pont, who used it as their main home until Alfred died in 1935. Jessie continued living there and later left the property to a foundation, which eventually transformed it into the private club it is today.
The name Epping Forest comes from a royal hunting ground in England, reflecting the original owners' fondness for European culture and history. Today members of the private club gather in rooms with arched ceilings, hand-painted tiles, and open loggias that still carry the feel of a family home.
The property operates as a private club, so access is not open to the general public. Anyone hoping to visit the building or grounds should check in advance about membership, guest access, or any special events that may open the site to outside visitors.
Alfred du Pont had a houseboat built and moored directly at the estate's dock, which he used for trips along the St. Johns River, and it remained on the property after his death. The waterfront setting and dock are still part of the grounds, giving a sense of how closely the family lived with the river.
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