"We're going to correct the health and safety violations," said Amico. ''We're adding sprinkler systems and doing a general upgrade of the electrical and plumbing systems and pretty much a cosmetic restoration." The goal, he said, "is to restore the place to its original condition. It needs a lot of work. It wasn't abandoned, but a lot of maintenance was put off.
"We'd like to maintain as much of the interior charm as possible," Amico said. "It was designed by Frank Furness, you know, the Philadelphia architect. It has carved limestone fireplaces, ornamental plasterwork and the most incredible paneling and woodworking."
Theophilus J. Zurbrugg, a Swiss-born industrialist, moved his highly successful watchcase manufacturing business from Philadelphia to Riverside around the turn of the century. He erected the seven-story Watchcase Factory, a landmark now listed on the National Historic Register.
Zurbrugg's mansion was built about 1910, but he didn't enjoy his new home long - he died in 1912. The mansion was sold to another family and remained in private hands until May 1949, when it was sold and converted to the Bible Presbyterian Home. The industrialist's name lives on in Zurbrugg Memorial Hospital, which was founded in 1915 and began operations in the Riverside home he lived in before the mansion was built.
Delaware Rest will conduct business as a 37-bed facility, the same number of beds licensed previously. Amico said the firm had already acquired a certificate of need as required by the state Department of Health.
The new operation will not be a nursing home.
"It's a style of living for people who are ambulatory," Amico said. ''They feed themselves, primarily; they may need help in getting dressed."
