SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A historic Suffolk building that was condemned back in 2021 after a suspected arson has reopened after a significant renovation.
The former Suffolk Towers at 181 N. Main Street is now The Elliott Apartments, a luxury apartment building with 45 units, the City of Suffolk announced Friday.
“The reopening of The Elliott is a significant private investment in our downtown,” said Suffolk Mayor Mike Duman. “We are thrilled to see this historic building brought back to life and hope it will serve as a catalyst for further development and investment in Downtown Suffolk.”
The building, originally built in 1925 during the peak of the peanut industry in Suffolk as The Elliott Hotel, was restored by Tymoff+Moss Architects and Commonwealth Preservation Group. The City of Suffolk cited their successful restorations in Norfolk, including The Razzo restaurant at a historic fire station and The Savoy apartments on City Hall Avenue.
“The renovation project thoughtfully updates the building’s functionality while honoring its rich history,” the city said.
That includes restoring the hotel’s original features, such as the check-in desk and terrazzo floors. They also took doors from the original ballrooms and added them to the new apartments, which range from studios to two-bedroom units. They’re now available for rent.
The Suffolk Towers apartments caught fire back in the summer of 2021. Dozens of residents were displaced and several people had to be rescued.
S resident of the building was charged with arson in the case. However, the charges were later dismissed after the suspect was deemed incompetent to stand trial.
