If you rebuild it, will they come?
It has plenty of space, bedrooms galore, sweeping views of the Long Island Sound, now if only it had a new owner and someone to operate it.
In New London, Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio thinks, it’s a buyer’s market, and he wants the word out that the historic Lighthouse Inn Resort is up for sale.
Built in 1902 by steel-magnate Charles Guthrie, the storied mansion served guests for decades having its heyday in the 30’s and 40’s, but the property fell into disrepair and was closed seven years ago.
“This is a historic treasure for the city, it’s a great economic development piece to get it salvaged and get it back on the tax roles,” Mayor Finizio said. “The building is fundamentally sound, what it needs is some TLC and some upgrades.” Finizio estimates somewhere between $2 million and $2.5 million would be a fair asking price for the Lighthouse Inn which is just one block from the Long Island Sound but the starting bid is $500 thousand.
Ned Hammond, New London’s Economic Development Coordinator said, “this is a real mansion, basically just under 40,000 square-feet of gross space, there are 27 rooms in the mansion.”
Mayor Finizio hopes a developer will bring in the right engineers and architects to revitalize the inn, proposals are being accepted until May 28. “It’s been a fantastic sight that had a wonderful heyday and I think more to come.”
For more information on the Lighthouse Inn Resort click www.ci.new-london.ct.us