“initially granted a demolition permit from the city — but their plans were halted”
They should have brought in an excavator the next day and tore it down.
These house/lots are so small. Combined they are both smaller than my back yard. I can understand why they would want more space if they can afford to buy it. If seems like for $8MM, plus the value of their house they might be better off moving to some other place. Location, location, location
There is nothing historic about this house.
Plus, she only lived there a few months.
There must be more to the story.