Bramwell’s historic Pence Hotel will be redeveloped thanks to $1.5 million grant

BRAMWELL, W.Va. (WVVA) - A vacant Mercer County building could soon be redeveloped.

The Bramwell Foundation and Bluefield Arts Revitalization Corporation announced Friday they received $1.5 million to redevelop the Pence Hotel in downtown Bramwell.

Foundation board member Emme Thompson said she was surprised to learn about the award.

“The board and the town of Bramwell have been waiting for so long for a sign that this building can be saved and can contribute once again. That everyone is a little shocked but a little happy,” Thompson said.

Funding details

The funding came from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh’s Affordable Housing Program. The program provides funding to projects attempting to develop affordable housing based on the projects’ likelihood of success.

Thompson said the foundation plans to convert the former hotel into 10 apartments with one or two retail spaces available on the bottom floor.

Project evolution

“So, WVVA came out in October 2022 when the foundation really decided to focus on saving this building and not letting it stand vacant anymore. At that point in time, we were planning on just stabilizing it and selling it to an outside developer. And with the help of Brian Tracy, we realized we could be the developer,” Thompson said.

Brian Tracey is the executive director of the Bluefield Arts Revitalization Corporation.

Building history

Thompson said the hotel was built in the late 1800s. She said the wooden portions of the building burned in 1910 and it was rebuilt afterwards. Thompson said the building has been vacant since the 1990s.

Construction could begin next year.