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 HISTORIC PROPERTIES SOLD IN BUTTEThese interesting and historic buildings have FOUND caring new owners. Click here for properties still available; other building descriptions can be seen here.See also our links page for connections to rehabilitation work by Silver Bow Properties, the Leonard Hotel, and the Park Hotel-Dodge Brothers buildings.Sears Building • YMCA • 701 N. Excelsior • Copper Mtn. Coffee Co. • Leonard Hotel • Sears Building, East Granite Street
In April 2006, the BSB Council of Commissioners chose the proposal submitted by Nicholas Kujawa to develop a hands-on science museum on the first floor, and apartments on upper floors and public access to a rooftop deck. This project has been supported by Montana Tech professors Don and Andrea Stierle for more than seven years, and its development will be the top priority of Mr. Kujawa. The Sears building is located in the Central Business District of Butte. This district has been in existence since the 1800s and is part of the second largest Historical Landmark District in the country. The Sears building built in 1900 during the era of significant copper production from the Butte mines, has approximately 55,000 square feet of space on four floors. The original use of the building was a grocery store and office space. The building has been vacant for a number of years. The building's first and second floor have been gutted and prepared for remodeling, all hazardous materials have been removed. The upper floors would make idea individual office space. The roof and joist system was replaced in 1994 and is in excellent condition. A state of the art generator has already been purchased for the building and is ready for installation. The property is also located within the Urban Revitalization Agency (URA) district. Any investment into the property therefore qualifies for partnership from the URA in the form of matching grants (up to $150,000 annually for 3 years) and low interest loans ($300,000 annually for 3 years). Partnership by the URA can reach $450,000 annually for 3 years, more information about the URA and its programs is available upon request. Please call (406) 497-6467 if you have further questions. Butte YMCA Building
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The Sears building located at 32-40 East Granite Street in uptown Butte was offered by Butte-Silver Bow County for redevelopment in mid-February 2006. The building was offered through the Developer's Process. The building is currently owned by the City & County of Butte Silver Bow, and is considered one of our surplus properties. As a result of this, this property can be made available through the Developer's Packet Process for $10,000. The incentive of a low price being that additional investment is made into the building, and the deed will not be turned over until such investment is made. 
The interior is in remarkably good structural condition and features much of its original interior decor. The top three floors were the hotel portion of the building and are currently used for storage. The first three floors are public rooms and include a gymnasium with a second-story jogging track and a beautiful tiled interior swimming pool, both in excellent condition. The public floors also had a bowling alley, billiard room, and reading room, the basics of which are still there. The rest of these floors are original office and classroom space. 
People did do some damage when they removed some built-in cabinets and some of the trim, but the damage is relatively minor.
At approximately 3,500 square feet, this 1891 building, with its decorative brickwork, recessed entries, and copper covered cupola, mimics the architectural detail found in eastern U.S. industrial cities of the time. The businesses that it housed were a contributing element to the Central Business and Landmark District of Butte.
Construction on the Leonard was begun in March of 1906. Butte was experiencing an economic boom, and there was a great demand for rental units in the growing city. The site chosen for the Leonard was considered excellent at the time of its construction: "It is close enough to the business district to be convenient, and yet far enough out to be in the fashionable residence district." (Butte Miner, March 25, 1906). It was built from the start to house several classes of tenants. The spacious front apartments for wealthier tenants had extremely tiny kitchens; as the building featured a dining parlor in the basement, it was assumed tenants would take their meals there. The apartments in the center of the building for middle-class tenants included full bathrooms and moderately-sized kitchens. At the rear of the building, apartments consisted of a single room with a closet and a sink; bathrooms were shared with other tenants. Many of the tenants in earlier years were single women: store clerks, teachers, and nurses. The Leonard was considered very respectable housing. Sold Fall 2007.
