An Appellate Division judge issued an emergence stay, stopping the demolition of Doris Duke's mansion until a hearing can take place.
HILLSBOROUGH -- The demolition of the iconic Doris Duke mansion that began Saturday morning was halfway complete when an Appellate Division judge issued an emergency stay, putting a stop to work on the site.
David Brook, an attorney representing the group called DORIS (Demolition of Residence is Senseless), was granted the stay at midnight on Sunday by Judge Allison Accurso and served it to Michael Catania, executive director of the Duke Farms Foundation, on Sunday morning. Demolition work was immediately halted.
Photos of the demolition were provided by the Duke Farms Foundation.
Somerset County Superior Court Judge Yolanda Ciccone ruled on Friday in favor of the foundation on an injunction to stop the issuance of a demolition permit, clearing the way for the foundation to proceed with tearing down the structure, which was built in 1893.
Duke mansion demolition: What we know
Brook is seeking an extended stay of the demolition and a hearing before the Appellate Division to argue having Ciccone's ruling overturned.
Brook must submit his briefs for an extended stay of the demolition on Friday. The foundation must submit its brief by March 18.
If the demolition of the 67,000-square-foot, 600-foot long, three-story structure is completed, once the rubble is cleared, it will open up 50 acres to the public, Catania has said.
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