TUDOR REVIVAL
New owner of Walcourt Building plans $2 million renovation
Norman developer Brent Swift is not wasting time cleaning up the historic Walcourt property after closing the sale on Friday.
The two-story apartment building, with its Tudor Revival architecture and tin shingle roof, has drawn plenty of unsolicited offers but not one ended in a sale contract with owner Mary Williams, whose late husband bought the building at 141 NE 13 in 1976.
Swift credits his broker, Patrick Arie with Keller Williams, with getting the deal done. With the $475,000 purchase completed, Swift is now preparing for an estimated $2 million renovation of the 90-year-old building that will reopen the Walcourt with six one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments.
Construction is set to start
this winter with completion by spring 2019. Swift’s purchase included empty lots to the west and north.
“To activate the block, we will have to do all of it,” Swift said. “I don’t think we can do all at once, but it would help to get all three done. The Walcourt will be important to get things started for the area.”
Clean up of the site began immediately, with architect Jeremy Gardner and his firm starting the job of assessing the condition of the interior space and preparing information needed to apply for historic tax credits.
“We found some materials buried in the underbrush, including brick and cast stone from the roof,” Swift said. “There is a lot of history lying around on the ground. Most of the plaster in the building has been compromised by water. The wood floors are in good shape. The walls are in good shape. All in all, considering the age and exposure, it’s held up pretty well.”