Downtown Gastonia renovation project could finish this year
Renovations in a more than 100-year-old building in downtown Gastonia could be finished this year, making way for a new business and multiple high-end condos.
Jim Morasso, the owner of Webb's Custom Kitchen, plans to use the 20,838-square-foot building at 278 W. Main Avenue to create retail and condominium spaces. The building was built in 1904 and formerly housed Rustin Furniture, and while construction began on the building in 2021, the building was in poor condition and required an extensive amount of work. While Morasso has been forced to essentially gut the interior of the building, he has made an effort to preserve some of its original facets, including colorful murals that can be seen on the walls.
Still, after construction began, the price of lumber increased, forcing Morasso to slow the pace of the project.
His budget for the project was initially $2.4 million, but that figure has swelled over time to $3.5 million.
Morasso said that in addition to the retail space, he is planning three high-end two bedroom condos in the upper story of the building. He himself will live in one of the condos.
"We're still committed to our original plan," he said. "It's going to change the whole streetscape of Gastonia."
A business based in Rock Hill plans to utilize the retail space, offering a coffee shop, clothing, and gifts, Morasso said. He is hoping the renovations will be finished in August.
Morasso bought the property in 2019 from Keith Bumgardner for $300,000.
Morasso also has big plans for another massive downtown building, one that formerly housed Citizens National Bank in Gastonia. Built in 1920, part of the more than 30,000-square-foot building is expected to house a satellite campus for a North Carolina college. Another section of the building will house an upscale restaurant called The Fed, the name a nod to the building's history. Morasso purchased the building as part of an ownership group in early 2018 from the city of Gastonia for just less than $325,000.
"My goal is to fill the city with things that are useful and things that will grow the city," Morasso said.
Reporter Kara Fohner can be reached at 704-869-1850 or at kfohner@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Downtown Gastonia renovation project could finish this year
