The Leroux Mansion will be redeveloped into condominiums after being sold to a group of Fernie businessmen.
Dating back to the early 1900s and situated on 0.668 acres at 4th Avenue, the nine-bedroom, seven-bathroom house is the largest historic residence and private grounds in Fernie.
On Monday, listing agent Carol Cohen from Fernie Real Estate Company confirmed Leroux Mansion has been bought by three local businessmen for $975,000.
It follows a decision by the City of Fernie to rezone the entire property to R4 Multiple Residential High Density, with approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Cohen represented owner Ted Allsopp, who bought the Leroux Mansion 14 years ago.
She said the buyers are planning to redevelop the property into condominiums, which will be sold separately.
“He had always dreamt of revitalizing the building and he is really excited that somebody else is going to do that,” said Cohen.
“The owner just didn’t have the time or resources to focus on this property and felt it deserved to have somebody that could.”
A backup offer was made by Edmonton couple Josef and Shari Pisa, who hoped to live in the Leroux Mansion for several years then develop it into a boutique hotel.
Josef presented their concept to council during the public input period at the September 24 regular meeting of council. During the rezoning process, the sale of Leroux Mansion prompted public debate about the need to protect historical buildings in Fernie.
The sale was supported by the Fernie and District Historical Society on the basis that the building would not be demolished. The City will work with the Historical Society to develop the Fernie Heritage Master Plan regarding the historical significance of the Leroux Mansion and its surrounding lands.
City of Fernie council briefs
Tiny homes
The Province has given a tiny homes project in Fernie the green light.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure approved a zoning bylaw amendment proposed by Snow Valley Motel to change the definition of “motel” to allow for up to 50 per cent of the accommodation units in a motel to be provided in a park model RV built form.
However, the Ministry requested the City of Fernie make an addition to the bylaw that stipulates no building, structure or park model RV shall be permitted to be located within 4.5 metres from the edge of the Highway 3 right of way boundary.
Fernie councillors approved and adopted the amended bylaw at the regular meeting of council on September 24.
The decision paves the way for Snow Valley to erect six RV-style accommodation units at its Highway 3 site. Owner Jason Burt hopes to welcome his first guests by winter once all permits have been issued.
Other issues raised
Logging, derelict vehicles and the legalization of cannabis were among issues raised by the public at the recent regular meeting of council.
Several members of the gallery addressed councillors during the public input period on September 24.
The first was Chris Inglis, who raised concerns about the number of derelict vehicles around Fernie and an apparent deadlock between the RCMP and Bylaw Services over their removal.
Inglis was also concerned about reports of a sex offender residing in the community, prompting a suggestion by councillor Jonathan Levesque to invite the RCMP to the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
Brian Jones from Compass Cannabis then took to the lectern to ask where the City of Fernie stood on the legalization of cannabis.
He suggested a meet and greet with the public and councillors to allow them to learn more about the business.
Another resident raised concerns about logging proposed in the Ridgemont area, imploring “please, whatever you do, don’t support the logging”.