Story by Megan Venable
Photography by Ben Finch, Finch Photo
When Ridgefield Manor fell into the hands of Ron Hall and Robert York, the moniker “manor” was a bit of a stretch. Although the two were well-versed in house flipping, even Hall was a bit hesitant to take on such a large-scale project. “There were holes in the garage, what is now our carriage house,” he laughs. “We had to chase off a family of racoons who were living there!”
Anna Gay McClung built the house in 1914, and her presence is still felt at Ridgefield Manor today. Originally from one of the largest plantation families in New Orleans, Anna Gay arranged for the land surrounding the home to be made into a subdivision upon her death. After a glimpse at the stunning views afforded at the home location of Fountain City, House Mountain and the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s easy to understand why the McClungs found the site so very charming. Although most of the potential buyers in 2013 were interested in the property simply to raze the home and start new construction, Hall and York were adamant that the structure stay in place largely unchanged. “You’ll understand once you’ve lived here,” Hall says. “You’ll be a part of this house forever.”
The pair agree that the updates they make to the home stay within the original vision the McClungs must have had for their home. “Before making any decisions on renovations, we ask ourselves ‘If Anna Gay McClung were alive today, what would she have done?’ We think she’d want a modern bathroom and kitchen. We try to adopt that perspective,” they agree of their modernizing philosophy.
York especially enjoyed cultivating the gardens that were in a dormant state when the pair acquired the property. “None of the gardens were left when we arrived,” York says, “even the Christmas frost in 2022 killed off the remaining 16-foot boxwoods that survived through the years.” Cuttings from friends and family, as well as from other places on Ridgefield Manor and other of their properties make up what comprise their established gardens today. “Mostly we get plants from friends dividing and sharing,” says York. “It’s like little love notes in the garden from friends and family that are alive.”
The two enjoy spending time together remodeling homes across the country, most especially working on historical properties. “Every piece of wood that comes off these homes gets remade,” the two agree. Despite being self-proclaimed “serial flippers” of houses, Hall and York wanted to maintain the history of the house for their hometown touchstone: “Robert is more playful and pushes for color, while Ron is more formal,” the two laugh together. “We make a great team that live and work together.”
Having re-modeled top to bottom homes in the 4th and Gill and other neighborhoods, moving from downtown onto five acres was a bit of a culture shock. “We loved living downtown but living up here we are conscious of every car that drives by!” laughs Hall. “Besides, Robert couldn’t have a mature garden if we were moving homes every two years. We pulled in this driveway, and that was it. This is our forever house we will stay in the rest of our lives. Knoxville is our family home. Life is here.”