Main Street Laurens to Renovate Wells Clardy Cottage

January 25, 2023

Main Street Laurens has announced the hiring of Mantis Homes to renovate the “Wells Clardy Cottage” located on West Main Street into a showplace AirBnb.

Main Street Laurens was gifted the house in 2018 and has maintained a commitment to to save the cottage and turn it into an AirBnb. The renovation of the cottage will preserve the historic site and provide residual income to support ongoing efforts to revitalize historic downtown Laurens. Once completed, the renovated cottage will become a much needed short-term rental for visitors to Laurens with a charming, comfortable space to stay within walking distance of downtown.

The Wells Clardy Cottage is listed as a contributing member of the West Main Historic District on the National Register of Historic places. Built in 1895, the one story, frame weatherboard house features a hipped roof, hipped roof portico with sawn ornamentation, brackets and sawtooth trim.

“This project will help save a historic structure and Main Street Laurens is excited to see the project get underway,” said Jonathan Irick, Executive Director Main Street Laurens. “We see this as an economic development project that will provide the organization with residual income,  along with other support from the community, strengthening our ability to continue preserving the historic downtown while  providing the businesses with the tools they need to survive and thrive.”

Funds to renovate the cottage were raised from local events including Sip and Stroll, Squealin on the Square, and many other events. Construction is anticipated to begin this spring with hopes of opening the cottage to guests this summer.