Richard LeBlanc hits home run with triplets
Prospective tenants were calling developer before renovated buildings were even finished
The goal that local businessman Richard LeBlanc set out to achieve has been reached after he purchased and revitalized the third building in a triplet set across from his office on Main Street in Yarmouth.
LeBlanc, who is semi-retired but maintains his position as broker for Victory Realty, bought the first and second buildings at the same time last year. However, there was some division of structural elements necessary before the sale of the third building was complete.
The Town of Yarmouth’s façade program paid a small but significant part on the revitalization projects.
Three years ago, LeBlanc signed up for the program and received $5,000 in matching funds to renovate his main office building, what is now known as the Consulate Building, at 255 Main St. The Gothic-style revival building was built in 1845 and is the location for Victory Realty and Venture Mortgage, as well as his daughter’s café on the lower level – The Perky Owl. He received an additional $6,700 towards the triplets.
LeBlanc joyfully dove into the revitalization of the first two buildings in 2017, working with a colour wheel, hand-painting many pieces for the renovation, spending hours online searching Victorian structures and noting architectural features of historic homes in Yarmouth.
The first, #258, became a rich gold with sage accents; #260 was painted purple, with black and gold trim. Now, #262 is now a bright red, with blue and cheery yellow accents.
LeBlanc says he didn’t want to match the other two buildings but that the third had to work with them and be just as outstanding in its own right.
After the decision on colours he started changing the windows and having custom mill work done that needed to be installed at the eaves and corners. He found a couple of “great corbels” from a local antique dealer and ordered custom-made Juliet balconies at Metal Pro (all three buildings have Juliets and each is different).
The half-dome awning over the entrance is made of heavy canvas and is guaranteed to be colourfast for a decade.
Because the business is occupied by Designs by Nhung, LeBlanc did not renovate anything inside. The last building took much less time to finish than the first two as it was in better shape.
“I had to rebuild from the basement up on the other two. This one here has been well maintained,” says LeBlanc.
The first two buildings are now newly wired and plumbed, completely insulated, with new flooring,