Wilmington looks to take over Gibraltar mansion as developers abandon plans for reuse

Wilmington is taking steps toward purchasing the historic Gibraltar mansion after community opposition forced developers to abandon plans to turn the mansion into a boutique hotel and wedding venue and build housing on adjacent land.

The city in May struck an agreement with the property owners to gain access to the 6-acre parcel at 2505 Pennsylvania Ave. so crews could remove overgrowth and assess the mansion’s roof.

The Highlands Community Association in a Monday, Sept. 18, email announced that the “decades long deterioration of Gibraltar” had ended with the city securing $1 million from the Delaware General Assembly to purchase the estate.

The association’s President Denison Hatch sent an emailed statement from the executive committee, writing that members are “heartened” by the progress.

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“We are grateful for Mayor (Mike) Purzycki’s unflagging efforts, along with the Delaware General Assembly’s financial support, to rehabilitate the historic structure,” the committee wrote. “Following the completion of the city’s purchase of Gibraltar, the (association) will remain an active party in the planning process that will determine Gibraltar’s ultimate use. We hope to achieve the best possible outcome that is consistent with the character and spirit of the Highlands.”

Wilmington is negotiating a new agreement that will finalize the terms of the sale and solidify what parcels the city will take over, Purzycki’s Deputy Chief of Staff John Rago said Thursday.

What parcels will Wilmington purchase?

The city is looking to purchase the 6-acre estate and mansion from Gibraltar Preservation Group – a limited liability company of which Drake Cattermole and David Carpenter are principals.

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Two parcels adjacent to the mansion owned by BDK Brinckle LLC – of which Cattermole is a principal – would remain in the developers’ possession. An unused, overgrown portion of West 16th Street between Brinckle and Greenhill avenues would be turned over to developers as well, according to the existing agreement.

What happened to the housing proposal?

Robert Snowberger, of 9SDC – a Wilmington-based historic preservation contractor, who worked with property owners on the scuttled redevelopment plan – did not respond to a request for comment.

The property owners also could not be reached Friday.

However, the adjacent parcels developers purchased to build new housing on are now listed for sale.

Both 1600 Brinckle and 1601 Greenhill Ave. are listed on Patterson Schwartz Real Estate’s website for $1.9 million and $825,000, respectively.

What’s the property’s future?

While the city is committed to taking ownership of the historic mansion, there are no plans for a future use, the Highlands Community Association email blast indicated.

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There have been many proposals for adaptive reuse of the property pitched over the decades, but a lack of funding and community opposition often stalled progress.

The last attempt for adaptive reuse was pitched more than 15 years ago in 2005 by CCS Investors LLC while Preservation Delaware was the owner.

The firm proposed turning the historic property into an office complex, but it was abandoned after opposition from neighbors mounted and the state Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs denied the developer’s proposal to amend a conservation easement attached to the property.

Some residents also oppose the city taking over maintenance of Gibraltar, arguing Wilmington doesn’t have a good track record of ensuring adequate code enforcement with existing properties.

Opponents of the plan pointed to the condemnation of apartments along North Adams Street last year as a prime example.

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Wilmington looks to buy historic Gibralter mansion amid changing plans