The Perkins Apartments on the market

A northeast Chariton landmark, the Perkins Apartments at 736 Lucas Ave., is now on the market via Iowa Realty, offering apparent new hope for a structure that has been empty and deteriorating for quite a few years. The price is $39,500 and the listing, which includes interior photographs, may be found here.

The asking price recognizes the fact a considerable amount of work, including a new roof, is needed.

The apartments were built in two phases, the first in 1925 and the second during 1940, by Chariton architect William Lee Perkins. One of the apartments was the Perkins family home. A second building on the same lot, Perkins' office, has been owned separately for many years and is not part of the current offering.

Although not listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the apartments could be as the building is part of a suite of Perkins buildings in Chariton that are listed --- including Hotel Charitone, City Hall, the Legion Hall, the Masonic Temple and the Crozier-Steinbach House. Listing would qualify the building for a variety of tax credits that could help fund restoration.

I've written a more detailed account of the building's history, which you'll find here. And I've also updated another blog of mine, Chariton's Square Deal, to include similar information.