Commentary: Restoration Hardware had a grand vision for The Abbey. What happened?

Every time I drive by The Abbey on Madison Avenue in Morris Township (which is often — I live nearby), I can’t help wondering what Restoration Hardware executives are thinking.

Is it possible they think no one notices (or cares) that RH has allowed this property to deteriorate into an unkept and overgrown mess?

Or – more likely – is it possible they’re spared daily exposure to this unsavory field of weeds because they don’t live or work in our community? Out of sight, out of mind?

Chances are good that I may have a more extensive history with The Abbey than anyone on RH’s current management team.

Going back to 2020, when RH’s proposal for repurposing The Abbey first came up, as mayor that year, I personally devoted countless hours to this project. I worked my heart out on it. So did many others.

It’s hard for me to believe that any current RH executive had any involvement with these early planning efforts. If they did, they’d surely feel as mortified by what’s happened to this property as I do.

I am reminded almost daily of the difference between RH’s initial vision for The Abbey and the present-day reality it’s become. The contrast is stark.

I’ll never forget the “vision presentation” that RH shared with the community on Sept. 3, 2020. This was no ordinary presentation. COVID was at its peak. Indoor meetings were prohibited.

Scores of residents watched this presentation – not from the meeting room, but from lawn chairs in the parking lot at Town Hall. Content was projected via large screen TV’s and loudspeakers. Making these arrangements was no small challenge. I remember feeling grateful it didn’t rain.

One of the most attractive features of RH’s proposal (at least for me) was its commitment to preserving the history of The Abbey, a.k.a. Alnwick Hall.

The presentation pointed out the structure’s architectural connection to Alnwick Castle in Scotland…

It included the following description:

“Our Vision for Morris Township

To create an architecturally inspiring estate that blurs the lines between residential and retail, indoors and outdoors, home and hospitality

One that activates all of the senses and attracts luxury customers to our home furnishing and design gallery”

It also included an image of the company’s initial vision of what “RH Alnwick Hall” might look like:

While the immediate neighbors had understandable concerns (which I, along with many others, worked super hard to address), community support for this plan was generally widespread and enthusiastic. People were excited about the future it envisioned.

Six years later, here’s what the Abbey looks like today.

From the front:

From Canfield Road – looking east:

From the back — as viewed from the single-family property adjacent to the Abbey that RH also purchased. Note the neglect on that property as well.

Can you imagine any images more at odds with RH’s vision and brand? Not exactly catalogue material…

There must be a back story here. Clearly RH has encountered significant and unanticipated difficulties of its own.

While I’m sympathetic to what’s it’s like to deal with overload, I’m not okay with neglect.

RH needs to wake up and pay attention to what’s going on in Morris Township. Allowing The Abbey to deteriorate into the embarrassing eyesore it’s become is completely unacceptable.

At a minimum, RH needs to mow the lawn, trim the weeds, fix the fences, and remove the debris. And do so on a regular basis. This would go a long way toward re-establishing that RH has basic respect for our community — and for itself.

Going forward, I’d like to see RH turn things around and bring at least some version of this project to fruition. In spite of what’s happened, I still believe that is the best solution for all.

Cathy Wilson is a retired educator and former Morris Township mayor, committeewoman and planning board member.

Opinions expressed in commentaries are the authors’ and do not necessarily represent those of this publication.