Rome’s historic downtown, Between the Rivers District, is always among the first things visitors to the city take note of. The historic district was a big part of what attracted Ira and Libby Levy to Rome from Sandy Springs in the mid-80s, and downtown hasn’t been the same since the couple planted roots in Rome.
The couple was actually on their way to check out a property on Weiss Lake when they drove through Rome, saw the Clocktower, and decided to give the downtown area a once-over. As Paul Harvey might have said, the rest of the story can be seen all over the central part of the city.
Ira and Libby have always been interested in preserving the city’s historic flavor. Over the years, they have invested millions of dollars in saving several historic structures.
“When we first married, we bought a brownstone in Chicago in a changing neighborhood. We converted the brownstone from multi-family to single-family,” Ira said. Everywhere we’ve lived, we’ve purchased old homes and renovated them.”
Libby is the artist with a keen vision for what “can be” after a project is completed. “When we moved to Rome it was the natural thing to do,” Levy said.
The old Heilig Myers/Sterchi’s building at the corner of Fourth and Broad was the first to be rehabbed by the couple. The old Forrest Hotel followed soon after that and the list just goes on and on. That project won the Levy’s a Renaissance Award from the Georgia Cities Foundation.
Levy became the second redeveloper of the old Battey Buildings at Second Avenue and West First Street. In the 80s, a previous group converted the former hardware structure into loft apartments. Levy acquired them as part of a group of investors and converted the property into a Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham boutique hotel.
The franchise agreement with Wyndham expires later this year, and Levy has already made a deal to convert it into a Hilton Tapestry property. “There will be extensive renovations, especially in the older section of the property right at Second Avenue and West First Street, the original 38 rooms. All of the corridors, wallpaper, and paint will be changed, and tubs will be pulled out of the bathrooms to make way for roomy showers. All the bathroom sinks will be removed and replaced with more modern cabinetry. Countertops will be replaced in the kitchens. Also, all of the carpet will be removed from the kitchens.
The renovations will include the Off Broad Bar and breakfast nook. Longtime plans for an addition to the property have been put on hold pending more favorable interest rates in the future.
Levy acquired the old Adams Furniture and Atlanta Gas Light buildings in the 500 block and converted them for business and residential use.
More recently, he demolished a dilapidated Third Avenue and Broad building and built new condominium units over ground-floor retail space. “That was my first, only, and last new construction project, Levy said.
Levy also acquired the former Georgia Power buildings at the intersection of Broad Street and Turner McCall. He found a major client and undertook a significant renovation of the building right on the corner to make that a highly sought after business location.
He has also acquired the building next to the Rome History Center on Broad Street. He is converting the upper floor into residential units. He has also ventured into the river district on North Fifth Avenue, acquiring the former Fifth Avenue Baptist Church. Still, he has not yet completed plans for that property. Expect more residential units.
Ira claims he does not have a favorite project in Rome and explains that each has unique challenges. The city’s efforts to bring building inspectors, the fire marshal, and the engineering office together to review major projects have really benefitted his projects.
Levy has served as chairman of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and is a board member emeritus.
The Heart of the Community Foundation honored the couple as a Board of Governors Award winner in 2018.
Almost two years ago, he sold his primary business, Paper Recovery, a recycling company located off East Sixth Street adjacent to the Oakdene community. That deal will allow the couple to travel a little more in the future, something they might enjoy more than rehabbing old buildings.
Maybe?
