Location: 216 Hawthorne Road, Forest Park
Status: On the Market / Unprotected
The “Crown Jewel” of Forest Park
by Ian Dunn, Preservation Raleigh
Many have rightfully lauded the sprawling stone house at 216 Hawthorne Road as the “crown jewel” of the neighborhood. In a community like Forest Park, which is renowned for its architectural quality, that is no small praise. Occupying nearly three-quarters of an acre, the 22-room, 6,300-square-foot estate is a commanding presence. The significance of the house is not only architectural, but also cultural.
A History of Pioneers and Preservation
The house began as a two-story frame home in 1914, but its character was transformed in 1924 by Dr. John Bryan Wright. A pioneer in otolaryngology, Dr. Wright commissioned an extensive $25,000 renovation, a staggering sum at the time, which more than doubled the home’s size. The project was executed by W.B. Barrow and Son, the same builders responsible for Hugh Morson High School.
In 1961, the home passed to Robert L. McMillan, Jr. (left) and his wife, Virginia. Robert was a man of great influence in Raleigh. A WWII and Korean War veteran, he practiced law for over 50 years, often serving as a defense attorney for the disadvantaged. His commitment to the city and its citizens was admirable, serving on the Raleigh Historic Sites Commission and leading local Boy Scouts on trips across the Appalachian Trail. His son, the late Duncan McMillan, continued this tradition of legal service and community kindness until his passing in August 2024. For decades, the sight of Mr. McMillan walking from this house to his downtown office was a staple of neighborhood life.
Why It Is in Peril
The mansion is currently on the market for $3.2 million following the passing of Robert McMillan at age 100 in 2024. While the price reflects the home’s size and prime location, it also places the property in a precarious position.
In the current real estate climate, large lots are often viewed by developers primarily as “land value.”—even in historic areas. Without the protection of a Historic Overlay District or designation as a Raleigh Historic Landmark, a house of this stature—despite its beauty and history—is vulnerable to buyers who might see demolition as the fastest path to redeveloping the valuable lots.
We have seen too many of Raleigh’s legacy homes lost to demolition simply because their history wasn’t legally shielded.
Photos from Birkshire Hathaway Home Services.
How You Can Help
The Wright-McMillan House is a beautiful historic home, and is a monument to a century of Raleigh’s medical, legal, and civic history. To ensure it remains standing for the next 100 years, we need to advocate for its preservation:
- Support Landmark Designation: We are encouraging the community to voice support for placing 216 Hawthorne Road on the Raleigh Historic Landmark list. This designation is the only tool that can provide a permanent safeguard against demolition.
- Share Your Stories: Did you play basketball by the alley garage or go on a scout trip with Mr. McMillan? Stories like those from the scouts who knew Mr. McMillan as their leader are powerful tools to prove a home’s cultural value.
- Identify Preservation-Minded Buyers: If you know of a buyer who values historic stewardship over “new-build” speculation, share this listing with them. We need an owner who sees themselves as the next chapter of this home’s 110-year legacy.
Birkshire-Hathaway (listing agent): https://www.bhhscarolinas.com/property/31-10152602-216-204-hawthorne-road-raleigh-NC-27605
Zillow listing: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/216-204-Hawthorne-Rd-Raleigh-NC-27605/455803057_zpid/
Duncan McMillan
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article291682625.html
Robert L McMillan
https://www.bumgarnerfunerals.com/obituaries/robert-mcmillan
https://attorneyatlawmagazine.com/stories/attorney-feature/robert-mcmillan-jr
Preservation Resources
Preservation Raleigh Places in Peril
National Trust Preservation Month Stories