There are certain properties that become woven into the fabric of our local landscape, and they come with a heightened sense of responsibility for the agents who are fortunate enough to assist in getting the property into the hands of the successors who will take the property’s current heritage into its next chapter of existence.
Many of these properties have older buildings, often built by prominent first-generation families after whom nearby major streets and roads have been named. Others have existing newer buildings which gain high profile by virtue of their sheer size, their unique architecture, or the businesses associated with them. Or in some cases, they become high profile because of plans for future development which are dramatically different than their current incarnation.
An example of a distinctive listing of an historic nature that sticks out from early in my portfolio was a large mid-century estate in Boulder Creek built to the whims of an heiress to the Clorox fortune in the style of a Kyoto temple, complete with wooden walkways and bridges over picturesque waterways. Another one that comes to mind is a sprawling former 35-room sanitarium I represented that had a colorful history of other uses and came with stories of at least 2 ghosts that haunted its halls.
I have learned that these types of properties require a high level of involvement to navigate their complex nature, and the types of buyers they attract is often equally interesting and complex. It is also not uncommon for it to take multiple months or even years—and sometimes multiple escrows—to finally find what can be a very specialized fit for the property. In some cases, this is due to the nature and scale of the existing improvements, while other times it's due to varying dynamics between multiple parties on either side of the table which can take some diplomacy and creativity to navigate.
One of the more interesting projects I am currently handling is for the owners of a building in Harvey West that once was home to a longtime favorite local bar and eatery and is now awaiting its next incarnation. And I recently learned I am under consideration to represent one of the more prominent landmarks of our mid-county region in the coming months, which—if we are successful in our bid— will give my team the opportunity to once again play a crucial role in helping the outgoing ownership of a significant heritage property achieve their desired objective to move on to their next chapter while also helping usher in the dreams and visions of it’s new owners.
Along the way, we embrace each one of these fascinating projects as an opportunity to be a part of a transition that is of interest and impact for not only the parties directly involved, but for many in the surrounding community.
Comments