A Queen Anne gem in downtown Bangor, the current Bar Harbor Bank & Trust building was designed by Wilfred Mansur in 1888, originally served as the vestry to the adjacent Unitarian Church and had last served as a community theater before the Merrill Merchants Bank bought the deteriorating property. The building is now owned by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.
Merrill Merchants Bank acquired the Mansur building after WBRC provided them with a review of the existing facilities, including anticipated costs for recommended renovations. The building is immediately adjacent to the bank’s main branch and is joined by a connector bridge.
The restoration plans created a new third-floor level within the joined structure, providing additional floor area critical to the viability of the project, and growing the usable space by 33%. Renovations included new windows that faithfully replicate the original’s unique muntin patterns, a new slate roof, wood trim repair, and a return of the original front staircase.
This project was a Maine Downtown Center Outstanding Building Rehabilitation Award winner and a Statewide Historic Preservation Honor Award winner.