The owners of Fifteenand9Main LLC have restored the long-abandoned downtown buildings at 15 Main Street and Wimmelskaft Gade 9 into new residential apartments in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas.
The group is preparing to open the newly renovated apartments for tenants this month, following an approval for occupancy.
The project converted the building into five one-bedroom apartments intended for long-term rental. “We made that commitment, and over the last year … we’ve completely renovated, which was basically an empty shell … into five apartments,” David Shear, co-owner, said.
The property consists of two sections: the Main Street building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Back Street building, constructed in the late 1980s or early 1990s by local architects, also located within the historic district.
“The Main Street building is on the national registry in Washington. So it’s a truly historic building,” Shear said.
Preservation work on both buildings required strict compliance with federal guidelines and was overseen by Sean L. Krigger, director of the State Historic Preservation Office for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The ownership group worked closely with Krigger and the historical committee when applying for federal tax credits to ensure compliance at each phase. “Everything we’ve done from, you know, the choice of paints to the choice of plasters … had to meet federal requirements,” Shear said. “We’ve done everything to follow the historical guidelines. With Sean’s help … the design and all had to meet federal requirements,”
The federal historic tax credit program allows property owners to recover up to 20% of qualified renovation costs for projects that meet strict preservation standards. Shear said their group is the first successful applicant in the region, despite the program being available for more than three decades.
Renovating historic structures brings higher costs and requires strict adherence to federal and local regulations, particularly to qualify for federal tax credits.
The dense, historic downtown location also created logistical hurdles. According to Shear, most of the construction had to be done by hand, including clearing debris and renovating interiors, because there was no space for dumpsters or heavy equipment.
The restoration project relied on local tradespeople, including plumbers, electricians, and carpenters, for all phases of construction, supporting the downtown economy and creating job opportunities for area residents.
Shear emphasized that the historical preservation board often faces unfair criticism for being an obstacle to development in Charlotte Amalie. In his experience, project leaders maintained a positive working relationship with the historical committee and government agencies. The real challenges, he said, stemmed from the practical realities of a crowded downtown.
“The biggest challenge is not the historical committee. The biggest challenge is just doing something downtown where, unlike a house … you can’t put a dumpster,” Shear said, noting that limited space also created parking difficulties.
He described meetings with the historical committee as straightforward. The board offered helpful guidance to ensure the project stayed within preservation standards. Shear said the committee often made “really smart suggestions” and provided support throughout the process.
The units are designed as secure, long-term rentals with modern amenities, including solar panels, hurricane-resistant construction, and upgraded internet and security systems.
Each apartment offers high-speed internet, energy-efficient utilities, and access to a shared outdoor community space. The group is currently seeking tenants directly rather than through a real estate agent, Shear said.
Rents for the one-bedroom units are expected to be about $2,000 per month, including electricity, high-speed internet, pest control, and trash removal. Laundry facilities are located on-site, with payments handled electronically. Rent is collected through digital platforms such as Venmo or ACH transfer.
For more information about the apartments, visit the Fifteenand9Main website.
He noted that new businesses, including a restaurant next door, are opening, and said he believes increased downtown housing will benefit local shops such as small grocers and bakeries. “The more people we have downtown, the more those shops become viable,” Shear said.
The ownership group aims to foster a vibrant downtown community and inspire similar redevelopment efforts. “It really is a transformation … it’s a bigger thing than just five apartments,” Shear said.
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