It is one of the four cornerstones of Wilmington's historic mansion district. A 1911 photograph shows the mansion dominating the scene with just a few spindly trees in the yard which, at that time, was not enclosed by a brick wall. Jessie Hargrave Kenan Wise, a sister and heiress of Mary Lily Kenan Flagler Bingham and William Rand Kenan, Jr., bought the house from the Holts in 1916 and made it her primary residence where she lived for more than 50 years. Wise House is not as large as Kenan House, which is now the residence of the UNCW chancellor, but it was built during the same era and on the same grand scale. On either side are one-story porches, framed with balustrades.
Traverse gables extend from the hip roof .
The foyer is brightened by sunlight coming through the large stained glass window at the staircase landing which leads to the second floor. To the right is the east front parlor. A white marble mantelpiece is visible through the French doors, and detailed molding frames the room's ceiling which is centered with a rose medallion. The walls are trimmed with picture and chair rail moldings, and the floor is bordered with inlaid mahogany. It was referred to as the music room even though no piano was kept there.