Sandpoint building to be recognized as 'orchid'

SANDPOINT — Belwood 301, a downtown building, has been honored with an Orchid Award for its outstanding contribution to historic preservation. 

The award will be presented by Preservation Idaho, a nonprofit organization aiming to protect places of significance, Saturday, Aug. 10, in Pocatello. 

Over the last 40 years, nine Sandpoint buildings and organizations including Panida Theater, Sandpoint Federal Building, and the historic powerhouse have received an honor from the organization. 

This year, the Sandpoint Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation Commission along with community members Carrie Logan and Steve Garvan brought 117-year-old Belwood 301 to Preservation Idaho’s attention. 

While residents may recognize the downtown building as the home of The Fat Pig restaurant and Pend d’Oreille Winery, the building has hosted a diverse array of tenants in its long life. 

Beginning as a single-story mercantile shop, the 1908 addition of a second and third floor transformed the property into the St. James Hotel. The building later hosted a pharmacy, grocery shop, and furniture store, among other businesses. 

The building's current owners, Julie and Steve Meyer, purchased the property in 2010 and renovated the building to preserve its historic character while integrating modern functionality. 

Clever and artistic refurbishments included repurposing old red fir flooring as interior siding and transforming the building's original beams into light fixtures. 

Restorers used a select non-abrasive process to reveal historic signage that had previously been painted over on the building's exterior. 

Jeremy Grimm, Sandpoint Mayor and former city planning director, praised the owners for their dedication to the project. 

“While planning director, I recall the countless hours they both spent with city staff poring over design plans and the numerous obstacles they overcame to achieve their goal,” Grimm said in a press release. 

Heather Upton, the city’s arts and historic preservation planner, also lauded the effort of the restorers. 

“That building, particularly the beautiful rehabilitation that was done on it, is a great example of what we're looking to continue to foster in our community,” said Upton. 

According to Upton, preserving historic structures is critical because once they’re gone, they don’t come back.

Decades or centuries-old materials aren’t always available on today’s market; when they are, they’re often cost-prohibitive. Additionally, modern builders may not have the specialized skills needed to recreate antique designs. 

“It's so important that people who have lived here their whole lives, and people who are new to the community, can visually understand our history,” Upton said. 

“Historic structures are an anchor to the downtown core,” she added. “Not only are they telling the history, but they add important character, too.”