The 154-year-old Cedarhurst Mansion property in Cottage Grove is being redeveloped.
The owners of the mansion — one of the state’s more important historical buildings — have a purchase agreement with Three Sixty Development LLC of La Crosse, Wis. The company intends to restore the mansion and develop the 13-acre site with new construction that might include apartments and a restaurant.
“We want to get started later this year,” said Jeremy Novak, chief development officer. “The mansion is the diamond for the development. It is also a noose around our neck.”
He explained that the company wants preserve the “historical essence” of the mansion, but operational expenses are sky-high. For example, the present owner says that heating bills are often more than $3,000 a month.
“We are not confident it could be self-sustaining,” said Novak.
PLANS INCLUDE APARTMENTS, RESTAURANT AND NEW BUILDINGS ON SITE
That’s why the company tentatively plans to put other buildings on the site. The area is zoned for mixed use, Novak said, which allows housing or businesses.
The plans are preliminary, but they could include apartments inside the mansion, a restaurant and new buildings on the site.
The listing price for 10 acres of the property is about $2 million, according to Brett Hildreth of Coldwell Banker Realty. He chose not to comment about the remaining 3 acres.
The redevelopment would be another twist in the mansion’s remarkable history.
The first farmhouse was built on the property in 1867. It was expanded in 1886 by Cordenio Severance, lawyer for railroad tycoon James J. Hill.
Cedarhurst was developed into a mansion in 1911 by Cass Gilbert, architect of the Minnesota state Capitol and the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. He added four rooms and the stately 100-foot-long veranda.
HOSTED FOUR PRESIDENTS
Cedarhurst has hosted four U.S. presidents. At one time, the precursor to the modern-day CIA operated out of Cedarhurst.
But starting in the 1930s, the mansion fell into disrepair. It was finally rescued in 2001 — by an immigrant from Laos.
At the age of 11, True Thao immigrated to America, having never seen a telephone or a flush toilet. He eventually graduated from college, became a social worker and bought Cedarhurst for $900,000.
He lives on the property with 13 family members. Thao operates the mansion as a wedding venue.
The new owners are kicking ideas around for the property. Novak said it was possible that apartments or a bed-and-breakfast could be added inside the restored mansion.
He will be discussing plans with the Cottage Grove City Council at a meeting April 7.
“This is just an introduction. It’s a chance for officials to meet our team and ask questions,” said Novak.