Apparently there was a lot of controversy about this building back in ’04-5, when the then-owner, Our lady’s Inn wanted to raze it. Its request was denied, it moved to a different location and sold the building to a developer for renovation into offices.
That was in 2005… http://webpages.charter.net/virginiamansion/4242virginia.htm
I’m not exactly affiliated with OLI, but I do volunteer there occasionally. From what I’ve heard, they initially wanted to raze it, but that plan was quickly (and rightfully) thwarted. Then, they wanted to rehab it, but I’ve heard 2 complaints. 1) The general cost was very high and 2) historical minded people wanted it done in specific ways which raised the cost higher. Now, we’re looking at a building that still hasn’t been rehabbed and is ready to fall over. I won’t attest to the veracity of the 2 statements, but those are the rumors I have heard.
The other point I would make is that a lot of people look down on OLI for not rehabbing it, pointing to their “large” budget and other factors. I can say that they operate on a shoestring budget and their business is housing the homeless, not renovating properties.
Finally, I have been inside it fairly recently, and it does look like some extensive renovations were completed that likely included some new framing, electrical, drywall, plumbing etc. I dont know how far the work was completed, but for some reason it stopped and it has continued to sit vacant.
Apparently there was a lot of controversy about this building back in ’04-5, when the then-owner, Our lady’s Inn wanted to raze it. Its request was denied, it moved to a different location and sold the building to a developer for renovation into offices.
That was in 2005…
http://webpages.charter.net/virginiamansion/4242virginia.htm
I’m not exactly affiliated with OLI, but I do volunteer there occasionally. From what I’ve heard, they initially wanted to raze it, but that plan was quickly (and rightfully) thwarted. Then, they wanted to rehab it, but I’ve heard 2 complaints. 1) The general cost was very high and 2) historical minded people wanted it done in specific ways which raised the cost higher. Now, we’re looking at a building that still hasn’t been rehabbed and is ready to fall over. I won’t attest to the veracity of the 2 statements, but those are the rumors I have heard.
The other point I would make is that a lot of people look down on OLI for not rehabbing it, pointing to their “large” budget and other factors. I can say that they operate on a shoestring budget and their business is housing the homeless, not renovating properties.
Finally, I have been inside it fairly recently, and it does look like some extensive renovations were completed that likely included some new framing, electrical, drywall, plumbing etc. I dont know how far the work was completed, but for some reason it stopped and it has continued to sit vacant.
Is this for sale
No, it is not on the market. I do not know what the owner’s plan is for the building.