CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Capitol Building Commission gave approval Wednesday to plans to renovate the Holly Grove mansion on the capitol complex in Charleston.
The building, constructed in 1815, hasn’t been used for 10 years according to commission member Steve Canterbury.
“It hasn’t been used for decades and it’s just a waste (in its current condition),” Canterbury, who supports the renovation, said. “At a time when we have people in state government spread in Charleston and beyond you could have a few state offices there if nothing else.”
The state Department of Administration and state Department of Education and the Arts are promoting the project, which already has a $2 million commitment.
Canterbury said the mansion is a “wonderful cornerstone” for the capitol complex.
“It’s a remarkable building and it has an interesting history,” he said.
Architects unveiled their plans to building commission members Wednesday and Canterbury said he was impressed. He anticipates, however, it will be a slow-moving project.
“This isn’t the typical construction project where you go in with bulldozers, digging holes and knocking things every which way. This has to be done rather gently and extremely carefully.
The Holly Grove mansion sits adjacent to the governor’s mansion facing Kanawha Boulevard in Charleston.