Star Island owner wants to move mansion

Plan to move mansion, build modern home approved

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A millionaire owner on Star Island wants to move his mansion to build a new one.

John Jansheski received approval from the city's design review board Tuesday to pick up and move his 1925 Walter DeGarmo manse to the front of the property and build a modern home behind it.

"It would be a lot easier to tear it down in terms of cost and effort," he said.

"We were able to do what we're doing because of the shape of our property and the size of our home," said architect Ralph Choeff. "It really came about while studying the best way that we could preserve this home and do a new home."

The mansion will be cut from its foundation and put on a steel frame and dollies.

"They have hydraulic jacks inserted in each dolly, so it's floating on oil," said Keith Kleppinger, who'll be moving the mansion. "We've investigated the house very carefully and it's a very well-built house."

The mansion will be restored and only the original portions maintained.

"I've walked some of the other homes that are in line of demolition and requests for demolition and they're not safe and ours is safe," said Jansheski.

Jansheski's mother is moving into the mansion after it's moved.