Trask to build multistory building overlooking Beaufort River
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
The downtown Beaufort skyline could look a lot different as early as a year from now after a new 2- and 3-story building received final approval in early July.
During the July 10 meeting of the Beaufort Historic District Review Board, the 18,000 square-foot building, which is planned by developer and property owner Graham Trask, was approved.
When the building first came before the board during a meeting in May, there were concerns regarding the size of the building, the materials to be used, the overall design and how it relates to the city and the removal of parking spaces.
The building was recommended for approval by city planners because of how it relates to the style of buildings along the waterfront before Waterfront Park was built.
While the building will the tallest building on Bay Street, according to Mike Sutton, the review board’s chairman, city planners argue that the height will be minimized due to the fact that the tallest part of the building will be in the middle of the property.
“We believe the building will be a sympathetic addition to downtown and appreciate all the stake holders to include city staff, the Historic Beaufort Foundation, and the HDRB for their input as we progressed within the minimum time possible through conceptual to preliminary to final approval all because of following the Beaufort code,” Trask said about the building’s approval.
According to Trask, a restaurant is planned for the first floor and a rooftop bar and possibly a second restaurant will be on the third floor.
Office space is planned for the second floor of the building.
Trask said that he as is still in the process of securing a restaurant and rooftop bar tenant, but the construction of the building itself is expected to take about 12 months.
“We believe the restaurant scene … is sub-par for a town like Beaufort and believe there’s an opportunity for a new restaurant group to come in and provide a lovely alternative to the incumbent players,” said Trask.
Currently, there is one building, YoYo’s Ice Cream, that is on the property where the new building is expected to be built.
That building will be demolished to allow for construction of the new building.
The rest of the businesses there – Cook on Bay, YoYo’s Frozen Yogurt and The Rustic Pup Biscuits and Boutique, will remain untouched.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
