Libby Lofts project sees progress

It started out as a dream. Now, Libby Lofts is a reality.

Some envisioned a new parking lot while others thought a new building would be appropriate. But Eric Berry’s goal was to refurbish the old high school building.

“Eric was convinced that he would change the minds of those who opposed the project by helping them see what other folks had envisioned,” said Scott Curry, Libby Lofts owner.

Berry, former co-owner, was recently killed in a motorcycle accident.

“We would never have gotten as far as we did without his finesse, his experience and his creativity,” Curry said.

Despite a lot of initial opposition, Curry said Libby Lofts’ top floor is all but sold out – progress that speaks for itself.

“We’ve sold all the condos but two,” he said.

Throughout the summer, class reunions have toured the renovated building, which was originally built in 1917.

One woman from the Class of 1957 came back from San Diego for her reunion in Libby and left with a condo she plans to live in early next year.

“There’s a lot more than just money involved in this building,” Curry said. “It’s a community icon and link to the past for a lot of folks.”

According to Curry, Berry was responsible for incorporating the cost-effective, live-and-work theme of Libby Lofts, similar to Berry’s sister project in Kalispell, Eastside Brick.

“He was able to persuade folks to give him a chance by showing them an example of the same type of project in Kalispell, a community within a community where people can choose to live and work at home - if they want to,” Curry said.

The project in expected to be completed in early 2009. A garden is planned for the rooftop, along with a restaurant and a coffee shop where the boiler room now sits.

Besides getting rid of the 800-pound radiator in the boiler room, Curry said difficult aspects included removing the hundreds of cubic yards of plaster, which contained horsehair fibers. The building is too old for asbestos or vermiculite fibers.

Retail space and work-at-home condos will follow in the lower levels, with the old band room on the first floor still open for ideas, including a swimming pool, a gym, and courts.

Ultimately the condo review board, or owners of the building units, will decide how to use the space, according to Curry.

“The old band room is probably the most unique space in town,” he said. “It’s the part of the character of the building, which makes it so special.”

Curry just hired a mason last week to begin refurbishing the old brick walls on the outside. Plans also call for refurbishing the original doors and 3/4-inch hardwood maple floors - which are available to tenants.

“There is a lot more meaning behind this building - it’s more than an economic project,” he said.

Curry said that anyone who wants to get rid of old bricks can give him a call at 293-5950.