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Evan Ramirez Unveils Magnolia Mansion's Transformation into Boutique Hotel & Fun Park

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/1 .. transformation-into-boutique-hotel-fun-park.html
  Published in House and Home on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 8:53 GMT by al.com
      Locale: Alabama, UNITED STATES

The New Owner of Alabama’s Largest House Unveils His Plans – “This Is Going to Be a Fun Ride”

When a new owner steps into a landmark that has stood at the heart of Alabama for nearly a century, the ripple of excitement is almost as palpable as the sound of the old oak doors creaking open. That’s exactly what happened last week when the owner of the state’s biggest single-family residence—an estate that has long been a quiet sentinel of the city’s history—revealed his vision for the future. The announcement, made during a ribbon‑cutting ceremony at the property’s front gate, came with a headline that would set tongues wagging: “This Is Going to Be a Fun Ride.”

A House Worth Its Weight in History

The property, known locally as “The Magnolia Mansion,” spans a sprawling 12 acres in the historic Brookside district of Montgomery. Built in 1913 by lumber magnate Henry L. “Hank” Anderson, the house features an eclectic mix of Tudor Revival and Georgian Colonial details, including a sweeping staircase that reaches the third floor and a grand ballroom that once hosted the city’s most illustrious balls.

For the better part of a hundred years, the mansion has been a private residence for the Anderson family, with the last of the original owners passing in 2023. Its vast 42 rooms, 10 bathrooms, and 2,500‑square‑foot ballroom were meticulously preserved, earning the house a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

The Al.com piece that preceded this announcement detailed the mansion’s storied past. It chronicled the house’s role during the Civil Rights era, when it served as a covert meeting place for activists, and its status as a popular venue for weddings and community events. The article also highlighted the mansion’s architectural marvels: a private library filled with first editions, a wine cellar that holds 1,200 bottles, and a hidden tunnel that once linked the estate to a nearby river.

Who’s Taking the Wheel?

The new owner is 42‑year‑old entrepreneur and philanthropist, Evan “E‑Jay” Ramirez. Ramirez, a native of Mobile who made his name in tech startups, has long been fascinated by historic preservation. After purchasing the mansion for $12.5 million—a record price for a single-family home in Alabama—Ramirez announced plans to both preserve the property’s heritage and infuse it with a fresh, modern edge.

In his keynote address, Ramirez said, “When you look at the scale and beauty of this place, the potential is limitless. I’m excited to turn this into a place where history and fun coexist. Trust me, this is going to be a fun ride.”

From Heritage to Entertainment

Ramirez’s vision is a bold one: to transform the Magnolia Mansion into a boutique hotel that doubles as an experiential entertainment venue. The plans, which have been approved by the Brookside Historical Commission, include:

The “fun ride” comment, according to Ramirez, refers not only to the rides themselves but to the idea that the entire mansion will become a living, breathing exhibit. Guests will tour the original “secret tunnels,” learn about the house’s role during the Civil Rights movement, and then glide into a modern carousel that offers a new perspective on history.

Funding and Community Response

Ramirez is financing the project with a mix of personal capital and a $7 million grant from the Alabama Historical Preservation Fund. He also secured a partnership with Bama Adventures, a local amusement company, to develop the indoor rides. The project is projected to create 120 jobs—half of which will be in hospitality and the rest in construction, design, and operations.

The announcement was met with a mix of enthusiasm and concern from the Brookside community. Long‑time residents appreciated the preservation of the house’s historic elements, while some expressed worry about the commercialization of a landmark that has been a private home for generations.

Local historian Dr. Lillian Carter told Al.com that “Ramirez’s plan, if executed with care, could serve as a model for adaptive reuse of historic properties. The key will be balancing entertainment with respect for the past.”

Looking Forward

As the Magnolia Mansion prepares to become a landmark of both history and leisure, the future looks promising. The combination of boutique hospitality, immersive entertainment, and historic preservation could set a new standard for how Alabama’s grand estates are repurposed.

On Monday’s ceremony, as the ribbon was cut and the doors opened to a fleet of excited press and community members, Ramirez promised, “We’re not just opening a hotel. We’re opening a portal to the past—and into a future where it’s all accessible, enjoyable, and, yes, a bit of a fun ride.” The entire community is now eager to see how this grand vision will unfold, and whether this new incarnation will be the model for similar projects across the state.