Monday, October 18, 2021

Villa Marre

The Villa Marre is one of the most famous homes in Little Rock, thanks to its unique architecture and also because the exterior used to show up frequently on TV. The house was built in 1881 and features both Second Empire and Itialinate architectural influences. Over the years, the building was used as a private residence, a nursing home, a dance studio, and an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting facility. By the 1960s, it was in rough shape and was condemned by the city. But luckily, it was saved from being demolished and was restored.

In 1986, the Villa Marre began appearing weekly on CBS as the home of Sugarbaker design firm on Designing Women. But the Villa Marre wasn't the only Little Rock building used by the show, the Governor's Mansion was also used as the setting for Suzanne Sugarbaker's home (it also made an appearance in 30 Rock).

The Villa Marre was purchased in 2019, and the first floor can be rented out for events or weddings or for Designing Women fans to meet (I'm guessing).

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