WILMINGTON, N.C. -- The Historic Wilmington Foundation can add another successful historic building save to their list. A bungalow in Wilmington located at 310 Bladen St. has been purchased and set to move to the Brooklyn Arts District Thursday.

  • A family from Texas purchased the home to relocate and turn it into a restaurant and thought that the area would be a perfect fit.
  • This is the first historic home move in 20 years.
  • An opening date or start of reconstruction has not yet been released for the new restaurant.

A family from Texas purchased the home to relocate and turn it into a restaurant and thought that the area would be a perfect fit. Terry Espy, a member of the Historic Wilmington Foundation Board, was excited to help them find just what they were looking for.

"Like seafood boils, oyster roasts and then chef-centric seafood. Not just your typical fried seafood. It's just something unique that we are missing downtown," said Espy.

This is the first historic home move in 20 years. Other historic buildings located in the Brooklyn Arts District have also been turned into successful businesses.

"The District restaurant opened in that area. Palate has rocked and rolled," said Espy.

Not only are the homeowners and the Historic Wilmington Foundation excited, but other businesses in the Brooklyn Arts District are excited to have a new neighbor.

Owner of the Palate Bottle Shop & Reserve, Kevin Rhodes, says on their side of town there is only one restaurant so they are excited for new businesses to move in.

"We don't look at this as competition, but a group effort," said Rhodes.

Rhodes says that he hopes this home move and rehabilitation will spark interest in other people to come to the area to start more businesses. An opening date or start of reconstruction has not yet been released for the new restaurant. 

If you are interested in purchasing and rehabilitating a historic building or home in Wilmington, contact the Historic Wilmington Foudation.