A century ago, it was built as a grand mansion before serving turns as a fraternity house, a funeral home and, saddest of all, a deteriorating eyesore.
Now, Harrisburg Mayor John Fritchley’s dream mansion–which he built to impress his wife (just before they divorced)–is on the verge of a new era, as local entrepreneurs Chris and Erica Bryce last month rescued the house from foreclosure and already are transforming it into a boutique apartment building.
“This is such a great property,” said Chris Bryce. “I’ve probably had my eye on it for 10 years.”
And Bryce means that literally, as his IT consulting business, BI Solutions, is located directly across the street from the grand, Victorian-style mansion at 911 N. 2nd St.
The house was built about 100 years ago by the three-term Democratic mayor, who lived in it just briefly. It later became a frat house for Beckley College and then, for many years, the Reese Funeral Home, according to Ken Frew’s seminal book, “Building Harrisburg.”
In 2007, the building was sold for a condo conversion, but that plan soon went south. For three years, it sat empty, unfinished, open windows exposing the interior, filled with gorgeous woodwork, to the elements.
Upon taking possession last month, Bryce immediately began the long renovation process. When done, the building will feature three enormous, 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath apartments, one on each floor.
The units are being designed so that each bedroom is located in a separate wing, connected by common living and kitchen areas, ensuring maximum privacy. Each apartment will include two parking spaces.
Bryce is serving as his own general contractor, having gained experience from the decade-long renovation of City House Bed & Breakfast on N. Front Street, which he and Erica own and operate. He expects this renovation of the building, now called the Mayor’s Manor, to take about a year.
“This is a great opportunity to put in all new systems and create wonderful, new, modern living spaces, while retaining all the historic features that people love,” he said.
