Renovations to begin soon on historic Mulligan Grayson House
After years of proposals and applications for renovations or demolition, there's finally a plan for the Mulligan Grayson House.
Realtor John Trask, who bought the house at 811 King St. on Thursday, intends to first stabilize and then sell it to be renovated for a single-family home. He bought it from Steve Tully, who has a deal with the city of Beaufort and The Baptist Church of Beaufort that will result in the renovation of the house and the construction of three others.
The deal was made possible through a land swap between the church, which owned 811 King St., and the city. In exchange, the city gave the church 707 and 709 Prince St., which the church plans to use for parking, according to city officials.
Preservationists have fought to save the house for years.
According to the Historic Beaufort Foundation, it was built between 1875 and 1880. It's listed as a contributing resource in the National Historic Landmark District in downtown Beaufort by the National Park Service.
The house is significant because it is one of few remaining small homes built by black artisans after Emancipation, foundation executive director Maxine Lutz said.
The Baptist Church of Beaufort bought it in 2005 for about $230,000, according to church representatives.
Residents can expect work to begin quickly. The house has been gutted, and construction has been permitted, Trask said, so stabilization of the foundation could begin Saturday. He intends to sell it after it is stabilized, similar to the way the Historic Beaufort Foundation stabilized the David Schein Store at 702 Bladen St. last year and sold it to Amy and Gerry Healy for final renovations. The Healys will sell that property to prospective residents.
The city's Redevelopment Commission worked with the church on the land swap, which was approved by City Council in November.
Both 811 King St. and a neighboring lot, which is part of the deal, will be combined and redivided into four properties. Tully intends to get started quickly on construction of the three new homes. Tully said the homes will fit in with the surrounding Old Commons neighborhood.
Related content:
- Beaufort historic board OK's plan for 5 homes, smaller lots in Baptist Church land swap, Dec. 21, 2013
- Redevelopment Commission considers land swap property with Baptist Church of Beaufort, Aug. 1, 2013
- Preservationists, Baptist Church of Beaufort at odds over house, Aug. 12, 2012
- Former Schein Store gets new owners, plans for renovation, Feb. 4, 2014
- Beaufort sheds a tear today for the closing of the Pig, Feb. 27, 2014
This story was originally published February 28, 2014 at 7:44 PM with the headline "Renovations to begin soon on historic Mulligan Grayson House."