Originally constructed in 1897 as the “New Avenue House,” this building is located in the Railroad Street Historic District on a prominent corner in the heart of the downtown commercial core. The first floor of the building contains the former hotel lobby and a number of former commercial storefront spaces that have been vacant for over a decade. Currently, the building is undergoing an extensive, nearly $18M dollar renovation led by Evernorth (formerly Housing Vermont) and New Depot Square Commercial Properties. Both owners are working to improve accessibility and energy efficiency, and extend the useful life of this prominent historic building. The Preservation Trust of Vermont has provided funding for the redevelopment of the upper floors through our Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program. New Depot Square Commercial Properties has taken responsibility for renovating and leasing the 9,000 square feet of first floor commercial space. In early 2020, St. Johnsbury Academy signed a lease to locate its Adult Education program as the anchor tenant, a move that secured additional financing for the renovations from the Vermont Community Loan Fund and the Vermont Community Foundation. 

A Preservation Grant of $75,000 will support the renovation of the space by St. Johnsbury Academy. Once the project is complete and the adult education program operating, a signature building in the community will be activated to serve the community on multiple levels and generate significant economic activity (and pride) in the downtown.