The opposition group served papers to the Duke Farms Foundation at 7 a.m. Sunday morning stopping the demolition.
HILLSBOROUGH -- An appellate court judge issued an emergency stay on the demolition of the iconic Doris Duke Mansion that began Saturday morning.
Appellate Division Judge Allison Accurso issued the stay at midnight on Saturday, attorney David Brook, who represents a citizens group that opposes the demolition of the structure, told NJ Advance Media on Sunday.
Brook said he served Michael Catania, the executive director of the Duke Farms Foundation, with the order at 7 a.m. Sunday morning accompanied by the Hillsborough police.
Somerset County Superior Court Judge Yolanda Ciccone had ruled in favor of the Duke Farms Foundation on Friday afternoon 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.
"Yesterday (Saturday), was a sad day for Hillsborough," said Brook, who represents the group called DORIS (Demolition of Residence is Senseless). "With the injunction in place, today (Sunday) is a better day for Hillsborough in protecting this historic structure."
Demolition of the mansion started early Saturday morning and Catania said that almost half of the structure has been razed.
"We'll obviously respect the court's order," said Catania. "But we're completely confident we'll prevail on the merits. We think the entire matter is moot because the building is almost half demolished. It's definitely not going to be restored. It's a big pile of rubble."
On Monday, the foundation will file papers in the Appellate Division to contest the stay, Catania said.
Brook said he'll file an application in the Appellate Division on Monday for an appeal of Ciccone's decision.
"If we prevail, we'll push the court to put the mansion back together again," Brook said. "When there's a wrong, there's a right. All we're trying to do is make it right."
Demolition on mansion began Saturday
Brook and his group filed papers in January seeking an injunction against the demolition but Ciccone ruled against the group on Friday.
Brook said Sunday that he informed Duke Farms Foundation attorney Jeffrey T. LaRosa of his intentions to seek a stay of the demolition on Friday.
The foundation had been issued a demolition permit by the township in January, but agreed to not proceed while the matter went through the courts. Catania felt the matter had been decided on Friday.
The demolition of the 67,000-square feet, 600-feet long, three-story structure will open up 50 acres to the public, Catania has said.
Catania said the tearing down of the structure will create an entrance to the property from River Road and the John Basilone Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Raritan River from Raritan Borough to Hillsborough, which would highlight the property's breathtaking splendor.
That area consists of drop-dead gorgeous landscape that includes waterfalls, lakes, a meditation garden, some spectacular specimen trees and beautiful landscaping.
Catania has also said the foundation wants to build a bikeway from Raritan Borough to the Residence Gate, where the house sits now.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.