A Rare Late-1890s Property With Historic Character, Massive Space, and Opportunity
Truly one-of-a-kind properties are not easy to find—and this remarkable late-1890s manor is a rare example of a historic building offering an extraordinary amount of space, character, and potential in one location.
Formerly known as “The Pearl,” this stately property sits on just under an acre at the edge of town and presents an unusual opportunity for buyers, investors, entrepreneurs, developers, or anyone searching for a large and highly versatile property with a fascinating history.
Originally constructed as a grand private residence, the property was later expanded and eventually utilized as a retirement home. Today, the building offers approximately 17 rooms and 12 bathrooms, along with multiple kitchen areas, expansive dining and living spaces, offices, numerous shower facilities, additional utility areas, and an extensive interior layout that can accommodate a wide variety of potential uses.
The property has been vacant for several years and requires significant work. However, extensive improvements have already been completed, giving a future owner an impressive foundation from which to begin.
This is a property for someone who can see beyond its present condition and recognize the possibilities contained within its walls.
A Historic Manor With a Remarkable Story
There is something special about owning a historic property.
Unlike a newly constructed building, a late-19th-century manor carries a sense of history that cannot simply be recreated. The architecture, scale, layout, and presence of a building from this era can give it a character that modern construction often struggles to reproduce.
This property, formerly known as “The Pearl,” was originally designed as a grand residence. Its substantial size and formal layout reflect an era when homes were often built to accommodate large families, gatherings, staff, and extended periods of entertaining.
Over the years, the building evolved to serve a different purpose. It was utilized as a retirement home, which led to additional improvements and the incorporation of features intended to accommodate a larger number of occupants.
Today, those modifications provide an unusual advantage for a buyer looking for a property capable of supporting multiple functions.
The result is a building that combines historic character with infrastructure that goes far beyond what would normally be found in a traditional single-family residence.
17 Rooms and 12 Bathrooms Create Exceptional Flexibility
One of the most notable aspects of this property is its sheer amount of interior space.
With 17 rooms and 12 bathrooms, the building offers a scale that opens the door to numerous possibilities.
The existing floor plan includes multiple large kitchen areas, generous dining and living spaces, offices, bathroom facilities, shower areas, and a variety of additional rooms.
The exact future use of these spaces will depend on the buyer’s vision, applicable zoning, building regulations, and any necessary approvals, but the existing configuration provides an unusually strong starting point for a wide range of concepts.
A buyer may envision continuing a residential or hospitality-oriented use, creating a large private residence, developing a multigenerational living environment, establishing professional offices, or exploring another permitted use appropriate to the property.
The important point is that the building already contains an extensive collection of rooms and support spaces.
Instead of starting with a blank shell, a future owner has an existing structure with significant scale and infrastructure.
Multiple Kitchen Areas
The property features multiple large kitchen areas, an especially valuable characteristic for anyone considering a property designed to accommodate numerous residents, guests, employees, or family members.
The kitchen spaces provide room for food preparation, storage, serving, and daily operations.
For a private buyer, these areas could potentially be reimagined or consolidated depending on the desired floor plan.
For an investor or operator, the existing configuration may offer additional flexibility.
The size and number of kitchen areas are part of what makes this property so different from an ordinary historic home.
Expansive Living and Dining Areas
The large dining and living spaces contribute significantly to the property’s grand scale.
These areas offer room for gatherings, meetings, family events, entertaining, or other uses depending on the future direction of the property.
The building’s historic identity creates an atmosphere that could be preserved while updating the interior for modern needs.
Imagine restoring the character of the original manor while introducing contemporary finishes, efficient systems, and carefully selected improvements.
That combination could create an especially compelling result.
Extensive Bathroom and Shower Facilities
With 12 bathrooms and numerous shower facilities throughout the building, the property offers an infrastructure that would be difficult and expensive to replicate in a conventional residence.
These facilities were particularly useful during the property’s time as a retirement home and remain an important part of the building’s potential.
A future owner should conduct a thorough inspection to determine the current condition of plumbing, fixtures, drainage, ventilation, water systems, and related components.
Because the property has been vacant for a number of years, buyers should evaluate all systems carefully before determining the scope and cost of future improvements.
Elevator Serving Three Levels
One of the property’s standout modern features is an elevator serving the basement, main level, and second story.
This feature adds convenience and accessibility while also demonstrating the extent of the improvements made during the building’s previous use.
An elevator in a historic property of this scale can be an important asset, particularly for anyone considering a use requiring convenient movement between floors.
As with all mechanical and structural components, buyers should have the elevator professionally inspected to determine its current condition, operating status, maintenance requirements, and compliance with applicable regulations.
Full Fire Sprinkler System
The building also includes a full fire sprinkler system, another major feature associated with its previous use.
The presence of an existing sprinkler system can be a significant advantage for a future owner, although a qualified professional should evaluate the system and determine its current condition, functionality, maintenance history, and compliance with current requirements.
Combined with the elevator, multiple bathrooms, large kitchen areas, multiple entrances, and extensive interior space, the property’s infrastructure reflects its history as a facility designed for more than ordinary residential occupancy.
Multiple Entrances and Large Parking Area
Outside, the property continues to offer features that contribute to its versatility.
Multiple entrances provide flexibility for circulation and access throughout the building.
A large on-site parking lot provides valuable parking capacity, especially considering the scale of the structure and the number of rooms it contains.
For a future use involving guests, residents, staff, clients, or visitors, convenient parking could be an important consideration.
The property also includes mature trees, adding visual appeal and a sense of established character to the grounds.
A detached garage provides additional storage or utility space and further enhances the property’s practical potential.
Just Under One Acre at the Edge of Town
The property sits on just under one acre, positioned at the edge of town.
This location provides a combination of convenience and separation that can be difficult to find.
The mature landscaping and established trees contribute to the property’s sense of privacy, while its location near town provides access to nearby amenities and services.
The acreage is large enough to support the property’s substantial footprint and parking requirements while remaining manageable for future ownership.
The setting also complements the character of the historic manor.
A Property for Visionary Buyers
This is not a property that should be evaluated in the same way as a typical move-in-ready home.
It is a restoration and redevelopment opportunity.
The property requires extensive work, and prospective buyers should approach the opportunity with that understanding.
However, for someone with vision, experience, and a willingness to complete the necessary improvements, the potential is considerable.
The property’s existing scale, room count, bathroom count, elevator, fire sprinkler system, multiple entrances, parking area, kitchens, and other features provide an unusual foundation.
A buyer could potentially restore the building’s historic identity while adapting the interior to a new purpose.
The finished result could become something genuinely distinctive.
Extensive Improvements Already Completed
Although the property requires significant additional work, it is important to recognize that extensive improvements have already been completed.
Those improvements may provide valuable infrastructure for the next phase of the property’s life.
Rather than purchasing an untouched historic shell, a future owner will be acquiring a building that has already undergone substantial modifications associated with its previous use.
The condition of all improvements, systems, finishes, mechanical equipment, plumbing, electrical components, structural elements, and other features should be verified through professional inspections.
Because the building has been vacant for several years, buyers are strongly encouraged to investigate its current condition carefully.
Inspection Is Highly Recommended
The property has been vacant for a number of years.
For that reason, thorough inspections are highly recommended.
Potential buyers should evaluate the building’s structural condition, roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical systems, heating and cooling equipment, water systems, fire sprinkler system, elevator, windows, doors, interior finishes, drainage, and other components.
The appropriate professionals should also be consulted regarding zoning, permitted uses, occupancy requirements, licensing, accessibility requirements, and any other regulations that may apply to a future use.
A comprehensive evaluation will help a buyer understand both the property’s current condition and the potential scope of future work.
Sold As-Is With Everything Included
The property is being offered as-is, with everything included.
That makes this an opportunity for a buyer who is prepared to take the property in its current condition and develop a plan for its future.
An as-is purchase is particularly important to understand with a historic property that has been vacant for several years.
Buyers should conduct their own due diligence and satisfy themselves regarding condition, improvements, systems, zoning, permitted uses, and any other matters important to the purchase.
The property’s extensive size and unique configuration mean that the right buyer may see considerably more potential here than is immediately apparent.
Endless Possibilities for the Right Buyer
Few properties offer this particular combination of history, size, infrastructure, and flexibility.
A late-1890s manor with 17 rooms, 12 bathrooms, multiple kitchens, expansive living and dining areas, offices, multiple entrances, an elevator, a fire sprinkler system, a large parking lot, mature trees, and a detached garage is unusual by any standard.
The building’s previous use as a retirement home provides important context for its current layout, while its origins as a grand private residence provide a historic identity that could potentially be celebrated through a thoughtful restoration.
For an investor, the opportunity lies in recognizing the property’s existing infrastructure and determining the highest and best permitted use.
For a restoration-minded buyer, the attraction may be the chance to revive an important local property.
For an entrepreneur, the extensive space may offer a foundation for a new concept.
And for someone seeking an extraordinary private residence, the sheer scale creates opportunities rarely found in today’s housing market.
A Rare Chance to Write the Next Chapter
Every historic property has a story.
This one has already lived several lives.
It began as a grand residence.
It later became known as “The Pearl.”
It was expanded.
It served as a retirement home.
And now, after years of vacancy, it is waiting for someone to determine what comes next.
The next chapter could be a restoration, a new residential concept, a permitted commercial or hospitality use, or something entirely different.
The possibilities will ultimately depend on the buyer’s vision, local regulations, inspections, and the work required to bring the property forward.
What is certain is that this is not an ordinary property.
It is a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial historic building with an extraordinary amount of space and existing infrastructure.
A Truly Unique Investment and Restoration Opportunity
Properties like this do not come along often.
The combination of late-1890s architecture, 17 rooms, 12 bathrooms, multiple kitchen areas, extensive living and dining spaces, an elevator, fire sprinkler system, multiple entrances, large parking, mature landscaping, and a detached garage makes this property exceptionally distinctive.
It does require work.
It has been vacant for years.
And it should be thoroughly inspected.
But those considerations are precisely what create the opportunity for the right buyer.
For someone willing to invest the time, resources, creativity, and vision necessary to complete the transformation, this historic manor could become an extraordinary property once again.
“The Pearl” is ready for its next chapter.
For buyers searching for a historic property with substantial space, flexible potential, distinctive character, and an opportunity to create something truly their own, this remarkable manor deserves a closer look.
The building’s history cannot be duplicated, its scale is difficult to find, and its potential will ultimately be determined by the imagination and vision of its next owner.
If you’re interested in learning more about this property, please contact the listing agent through the Zillow link provided below the photos.
Zillow Listing and Full Gallery.
