Former Beaufort Gazette building has sat vacant for years. Is a new use on the way?
After years of sitting vacant, the former Beaufort Gazette building might get a second life providing commercial opportunities for a company that installs windows and doors.
The City Council last week approved the first reading of a rezoning from T4-Neighborhood to Regional Mixed Use District to facilitate the reuse of the well-known former newspaper building at 1556 Salem Road.
Tidewater Windows and Doors, which specializes in the supply, repair and installation of windows and doors, has plans to relocate into the former newspaper building.
The family-owned business, which is located across the street, says in city documents that it is planning offices, a showroom, warehouse and light fabrication at the former newspaper site, and possibly additional commercial uses in the remainder of the building.
One additional approval is needed to finalize the rezoning.
The Beaufort Gazette building
For some 40 years, the 16,000-square-foot Gazette building housed the newspaper printing facilities and offices. But the building was sold it in 2011 and has sat vacant since at least 2015.
Today, the Beaufort Gazette and Hilton Head Island Packet share office space in Bluffton.
Tidewater is under contract to purchase the property from Vaden Automotive Group and plans to bring the building up to code, according to the city.
