Downtown Beaufort could see new three-story building of apartments, commercial space

A three-story building of apartments and commercial space could be coming to downtown Beaufort less than a block off Bay Street.

Plans for building on the empty lot at 209 West Street, between Old Bull Tavern and Bay Haircrafters, received conceptual approval from the city's Historic District Review Board this month. The application still requires preliminary and final approval.

"I think we thought it was a really nice project, and we were very in favor of it," board chairman Joel Newman said.

Designs from architect Beaufort Design Build show three commercial suites on the first floor; three apartments on the second floor of about 900 square feet each; and a third-floor penthouse apartment of about 1,200 square feet.

The top-floor apartment would be set back from the top of the second floor, disguising the living space from West Street, the submitted plans show.

The property is owned by West Street Farms LLC and Graham Trask, according to the project application. West Farms LLC is registered to George Trask, according to state records.

An attempt to reach Graham Trask was unsuccessful Friday.

The site once contained buildings, according to the city's planning staff, but the lot has been vacant since at least 1912. The staff wrote in its report for the project's application that the mixed-use building would be a great addition to downtown and that its size and proportions were compatible with the historic district.

Plans for a new building to replace an empty lot come as the city's Redevelopment Commission reorganizes in an effort to spur infill and development downtown.

Among the targets are empty lots near Bay Street with development potential.

Follow reporter Stephen Fastenau at twitter.com/IPBG_Stephen.

This story was originally published August 28, 2015 at 5:50 PM with the headline "Downtown Beaufort could see new three-story building of apartments, commercial space."