WHEELING - St. Matthew's Episcopal Church has finalized its purchase of the Fort Henry Club at 14th and Chapline streets for $1. The Rev. Mark Seitz of St. Matthew's said the focus now moves to finding a tenant or buyer for the building - and if that doesn't happen by May 1, the structure will be demolished.
For the past three years, the church and Kennen & Kennen Realtors have worked with the club to bring in a new tenant to help pay overhead costs. Seitz said several attempts to land a tenant fell through, and with rising operational costs and the concern over being forced to make expensive fire code updates, the club formally closed in September.
With the church now owning the building, Seitz said he will allow six months to pass before demolition becomes an option. However, any prospective buyer must be able to pay restoration or demolition costs.
Article Photos
Photo by Zach Macormac
The Fort Henry Club’s former headquarters at 14th and Chapline streets is now owned by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. If the church cannot find a buyer or tenant by May 1, then the building will be demolished.
"We're not going to sell to someone we couldn't be confident in," Seitz said.
He pointed to the nearby Rogers Hotel at 14th and Market streets as an example.
"That building has changed hands over and over and nothing ever comes of it," he said. "The building just languishes and deteriorates more and more and more."
Seitz said there is "potential interest" from buyers.
He said the church is open to leasing the former Fort Henry Club and is working with McKinley & Associates, a local firm known for its work in renovating the former Wheeling Stamping Building and the former Wagner Building. Seitz said he could envision a reuse of similar fashion with the Fort Henry.
Bob Kennen said he will continue marketing the building "until (he's) told to stop." Previously, he estimated each of the two upper floors are 10,000 square feet apiece and could be leased at $16 per square foot. He also thinks the space is compatible for apartments and the first floor would be ideal for a restaurant.
Seitz said there is no concrete plan as of yet if demolition becomes the only option. He said the building's maintenance costs are too much for the church to leave it standing for longer than six months.
"We're not going to cross that bridge until we come to it," he said.