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By 1906, Sinclair's children had grown, and she sought a more manageable residence. A charming exchange ensued: the Douglas couple swapped their modest home on Second Avenue plus cash for Sinclair’s estate. This marked the beginning of the Douglas era at Bruce Mór, later renamed Douglas Manor.
Modernizing a Historic Estate
George and his wife, Irene, immediately embarked on transforming the estate to reflect contemporary tastes. They hired renowned Chicago architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, known for designing countryside villas for America's elite. Shaw's $30,000 renovation in 1907 modernized the mansion by blending craftsmanship with simplified, elegant lines—eschewing some Victorian extravagances in favor of Art and Crafts style.