'This is definitely a one of a kind. A Castle in ruins...'  Tri-Star Realty Listing Agent: Carl Wuestehube ....

Say the word ' castle' in North Carolina, and the immediate thought is of the famous one that overlooks the Blue Ridge mountains. 

Take a short drive north of Durham, and you just might see a view that would bring about a reaction as powerful as the view of the Biltmore... only this would be of heartbreak rather than of awe. 

http://www.opendurham.org/buildings/rougemont-castle

This entry from the website, ' opendurham.org' shows the magnificent beginning of the story of this home.

Flash forward to 2013, it is a structure partially exposed to the elements after being ravaged by the thoughtless actions of total strangers.

Windows are broken. The main floor is covered with debris. There are actually clothes on hangers near a mattress.. a squatter? Outside, construction materials surround the home / studio. I don't think the owner ever got to the point of installing utilities to the house, but it appears steps were taken to prepare for that next move.

It is in desperate need of a good boarding-up to protect it , and I had to fight the urge to do that many times myself. I was there to document, and that was it.

I saw prior reports on the web that this place was beyond repair. I'll tell you that from what I saw I believe there is a good possibility it can still be completed and become a viable home/studio for someone. There does appear to be some development of effects due to moisture, but that should be determined by tests. I'm not a construction expert, but the framing still looked solid, and the only way I can truly express how the woodwork was done beyond the framing stage is to say , 'this place has good bones.' It looks like it has been built like a tank, or in this case, a fortress.

The details that will stop you in your tracks are the rooftop, the lovely but quirky design of the windows , and the stunning upper level  ceiling woodwork you can view from outside. They bring warmth , depth, and order ... especially when there is the stark contrast of disarray below. Its obvious when looking at this place the care and attention to detail there must have been in the blueprints. You can easily imagine how light would enter and fill the space; how life would breathe through here without barriers. I sincerely hope this home will be completed and glow with happiness and warmth very soon.