Jeff Bisger, The Lipsitz Building

Nominated by Main Street Beaufort, USA

The Lipsitz Building is a 10,000 sq. ft., two-story, wood-framed structure built in the 1880s. The National Park Service certified the building, located within the Beaufort Historical District, as a historic structure. For decades, the upper story sat vacant with one business occupying the bottom floor. After the business closed in 2009, the building sat vacant for years.

Local resident Jeff Bisger purchased the building with the goal of restoring the prominent building. He wanted to retain as much of the original materials as possible. Not only did Bisger have to meet local standards, but he also had to adhere to the National Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.

During the rehabilitation, the vinyl siding and an aluminum canopy were removed to expose the original wood siding and windows. Two "modern" single-story building additions at the rear of the property were demolished. Interior renovations included exposing original floors, walls and ceilings. On the second floor, original floors, doors, moldings and hardware were incorporated into the renovations.

Today, the building has 100 percent occupancy with two retail stores on the first floor and artists" galleries and studios on the second floor. The project has proven renovating upper story space can be successful. Local artists rented all available space even before renovations were completed.

Contact: LaNelle Fabian at director@downtownbeaufort.com or 843.525.6644.