We’ve kind of been keeping a secret. I literally can’t believe that I am sitting here typing these words, we figured out a solution for the weird property lines and easement at the Merc!! If you remember (you can read alllll about the nitty gritty details about property lines here and the easement here) the property lines at the Merc are sort of a nightmare. The easement was almost a deal breaker for us. In fact I had sort of forgotten how distressing it was until I went back and read those posts. I’m so glad that we didn’t let it stop us!We had a chance to buy a portion of our neighbors property and jumped! I’m not going to lie, its stressful draining our bank account for the second time in a year, and it’s changing our phase 2 timeline a little but it was an opportunity that we just felt really strongly about and took the leap.
For reference, This upside-down L is our property, the Merc is in the top left corner of the yellow section.
The entire west and south side of theMerc IS the property line, except for the small patch right outside our back door. As crappy as that was, the crappiest part was that there is an easement running through the east side parking lot so that the neighbor can have access to their property on the south. (The neighbors property is blue, the easement is green)
The Merc is basically an island. We tried to figure out solutions to keep our kids safe once we moved it, but because of the easement we couldn’t put any gates or fencing up that blocked their access. We had sort of resolved that the back portion behind the workshop was going to be the yard and everything else was going to be left as it was.
BUUUUT as of yesterday, this is what our property looks like!! With the Merc smack dab in the middle and no easement!!
We couldn’t be more excited because this obviously changes EVERYTHING! No more easement, no more weird property lines, no more opening the windows in phase 2 into their restaurant. Its HUGELY exciting!!
Aside from all of the obvious negatives that are being wiped away, we bought one of the coolest historic building in Southern UT. The Mormon Tithing Granary. The Granary is in it’s simplest form a 2-story rock shed. If you’re unfamiliar, granaries were used for storing grain and other produce donated by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon church) in fulfillment of their 10% tithing obligation. There are very few stone granaries and so the Santa Clara one is extra special. Also its pronounced Gran-uh-ree, not grain-uh-ree (there’s no i) It’s origin has 2 conflicting dates, 1867 and 1901, but either way its nice and old!
Our neighbors did some very heavy restoration on it before turning it into indoor seating at their restaurant. The building isn’t massive, its measures 18×20 but its definitely big enough to make something wonderful happen.
This is the room upstairs.
Complete with original wood floors!
The room downstairs is accessed through a different entrance.
Check out that lava rock foundation, I LOVE the color difference between the 2 types of rocks!!
And just incase you missed the stairs, lets look at them a little closer…
My mind is reeling with ideas for it!!
When I was a little girl my favorite book was The Secret Garden, I have read it and watched the movie more times than I can count. Doesn’t the yard remind you of that?! (For reference, the building on the right of the picture is the Merc.)
I can’t wait to show you pictures when everything is in bloom! All of the windows that we are opening in Phase 2 will look out into this property, and we’re going to be adding a big door on the south side for access from the living room.
This also drastically changes our plans for the landscaping on the original property. I need some serious help figuring everything out, but man alive I can’t wait to get started!!!
The diving property lines runs right down the center of this picture (if you look closely you can see the masonry string) The Granary is on the left and our neighbors property is on the right.
So what does this mean for the rest of the renovation and timeline?!
There are some things that we have to figure out with the Granary before we can start Phase 2 of the Merc (mostly plumbing, because if we run plumbing to the Granary it needs to tie in with the pipe we ran for the Master Bathroom, which means more concrete cutting etc. and we want to get that out of the way before we start anything) It also means that we are probably pushing Phase 2 back a little bit. We were planning on starting right away but since we used all of our Phase 2 money on this, we might be a couple of months out. It’s not like we don’t have enough to keep us busy though right!? So TBD on that one.
I’m dying to know, what do you think we should do with it!?
But, like , HOW?! How did this happen?! So exciting.
This is so cute! I’m curious how the whole thing went down. Did you approach them? did they need convincing?
This would be a great space for workshops or a cute little coffee shop/cafe.
I was excited at the idea of the easement being gone, but I’m actually squealing with delight at the Granary. Dude! It’s so good! I didn’t think I could be more invested in the Merc but now … !!!! Selfishly, I hope whatever you do with it can allow some public access just so I can see it one day. Just think, you were just talking about wanting new inspiration and a new dream and now you have one! Congrats to you!
Air bnb. Extra income. Congrats on the merc no longer being an island.
I love that idea
Exactly what I thought!
THIS IS AMAZING!!!!! Those stairs, the rock, the ceiling– I CANNOT handle it!
oh my freaking word! This is so huge! I have been wondering what would happen with that easement since you bought the Merc!
I have so many ideas, you could divide the granary from your property and rent it out as an event space, which would be amazing. It would make a great guest space for when friends and family come to visit. Personally, I might try to work with a non-profit (one in LA that is love that does similar work is Delancy street) to have some sort of business there that helps people in recovery have a job, turn it into a coffee shop maybe. Eeek! So exciting!
What happened to the restaurant that was using it?
Yes, it would make a great event space.
So fun!! An Airbnb or maybe a guest house that could be double as an Airbnb?!
Bed & Breakfast?!?
Yes for sure
No waaaay!!!! So exciting! I say you use the remaining property as workshop space! You can hold workshops for ladies nights and family nights for people to learn to do DIY stuff! Charge a small fee, and hold little get togethers! I could go on and on!
A conference center to host DiY and other kind of events!
I’ve got to hear the story about how you convinced them to sell it to you! I am just amazed at how wonderfully everything worked out for you with the Merc! The easement being gone and now this other gorgeous old building for you to work on! It was truly meant to be.
Ideas for the Granary: A guest house, an event space, a coffee shop, a photography/art studio, a clothing boutique… endless possibilities!! Congrats!
Mind blown!! Such exciting news!! That tithing Granary!! So many possibilities! A small cafe and studio are what immediately popped out in my mind. What ever you decide I know it will be great!!
It would be a great space for small hosted events, like a floral design workshop or something. Gorgeous! Congrats!
It truly is cool but maybe I misunderstood why you bought the property. Is it to have playspace for kids? Where will people park/kids play? Or have I missed that conversation somehow? Just a bit confused.
Because they end that easement?
I’m so exited for you, but my stomach is a little sad. It liked The Granary’s quiche. ? It’ll get over it. I cannot wait to see what you do with the space!
Love it! I envision a little retail shop! Cant wait to hear how you secured it!
Awesome! Amazing!!! Congrats!!! Maybe in the future you can do a video of the new outdoor space and that amazing building!!! Im so excited for y’all!!!!
Congratulations! That is so exciting! How about a spa ?
I wouldn’t change it much–it’s beautiful as it is. No plumbing or major updates. I would love to see something like a store/gift shop/museum/reading room/gallery.
Aah! So happy for you!! Buh-bye easement! Those granary stairs are perfection!!! Please turn it into some kind of event space/host workshops and events there so I can come hang out with you and learn some of your awesomeness.
Fellow Santa Clara resident here! I’ve been following your renovation of the merc since the beginning just out of curiosity (and also because design ?). Its fun driving by and seeing the progress, I think it adds so much to our community! I loved what you were doing to that old unused space, and then my eyes would drift to the granary and I would think ?. I am so happy that you added it to your renovation!! I have been to the granary a few times and every time I think how fabulous it would be for events! I am so excited to see what you dream up! PS, I think my husband knows your husband 🙂 small world!
I’m so freaking excited for you that I can’t even stand it!!
Holy moly! Thats amazing. Congrats! I would definitely turn it into a beatiful BNB (if you have a local cook as a partner to cover the second B part, that is). Or simply an air BNB that host people, like the awesome readers of your blog, wink wink 😉
This is absolutely wonderful. Very happy for you guys!
This is getting better and better by the day!! Future Airbnb spot ??
Howabout a workshop studio where you teach gals DIY projects?
That is so flipping cool!! What an awesome building! Good luck on your plans. Can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Whaaaaat!?!? Oh man how exciting! I’m local and have been to ge Granery when it was the cute little French restaurant. How awesome to call it yours! So much character and history in your home and space! ?
As a Santa Claran who lives up on the Heights and can literally look down the hill and watch your progress daily, I’ve been so amazed and thrilled by your vision and am so happy that the Merc will not have any more reinventions in its life! I knew that the Granary was for sale because I was looking on the MLS one day a few months ago for property for a crazy dream of mine to open up a reception/wedding venue that I think St George so desparately needs. The Granary would be so charming and at the time, I thought, “I should approach Mandy to buy it and turn it into a reception center! It’d be so convenient for her next door and she has the greatest vision in St George to make it amazing!!” So unbelievably happy that you bought it and can incorporate it all into your space! My vote is a reception/event center. I don’t have the resources to make it happen but I’d sure rent it for our future life events if you do! Whatever you choose, it’ll be on point!!
Ps…If you could drive up Chapel Street, we’re the 2nd house on the left…practically neighbors. I used to run up and down the hill to get the mail. Wish I still could. I’d spy even more. 😉
Wait, so that means the neighbors listed it on MLS before offering it to Mandy?! Like others, I’d love to hear how this all went down.
How wonderfully exciting! Congrats.
Ahhhh! Even the simple idea of more exterior doors makes me so happy for you! I was so worried about ya’ll lugging you groceries through your one door to your kitchen ha!
Guest house!!!! Also I hope you’re going to tell all the details on how this went about!! That building is the cutest!
Ohmygoodness!!! This is so exciting and perfect for you. congrats!!! I don’t know much about he area you are in but I feel like it would make a darling Airbnb or small event space. So cute!
I’m loving all the suggestions, but the one I like the best is wedding venue but you live there so ask around or look to see what is needed most there and what would bring in a great income without working 24:7 because family is first.
Awwww, I’m so sad the French restaurant will be closing it’s soooo yummy. But one of the things I love the most about it is the atmosphere~ it is such a beautiful and charming space! I’m so glad it was bought by people who appreciate its history and uniqueness (Extra unique here in bland, homogeneous southern Utah). I have absolute faith that you will make it amazing! I’m just sad that I will no longer be able to go hang out there any damn time I want to. Love the idea of an event space and workshop studio. Congrats to you, Mandi.
DUDE!!!! I’m so excited for you!!!! I was stressed FOR you and your dream but you just knew it would work and it did! This is like the best news, just thrilling!
Yay! Would make the best Airbnb!
Just consider your priorities. If you consider making it a retail space, you will be inundated with requests to check out the interior of the Merc, your private residence. Somewhere along the line, I thought that you mentioned the possibility of starting a family. Many times restored homes have all kinds of curiosity seekers and picture takers invading their private spaces. I gave many historical tours in my area and I have heard this complaint from homeowners many times over. Your ability to share the merc renovation online is amazing but you may want to guard your privacy in the future.
It’s begging to be a guest house/Airbnb rental. 🙂 congrats to you!
Mandy, I’m so happy for you. This space is going to be so incredible. And I’m happy for me that I get a front row seat!
I didn’t think things could get any more crazy for you since The Merc…I should have known better! I’m excited to see what you do.
Oh my gosh this is so exciting, I bet you are absolutely thrilled ! There is so much potential and everyone in the comments has such amazing ideas, a workshop space or airbnb being my favourites. Can’t wait to see what you make of it – it will be incredible I’m sure!
xo
Wedding receptions and special events!
This is great news! I have four ideas. Air BnB, reception and event venue, a boutique to sell unique home stuff, or an açaí bowl shop/restaurant. You have to decide what type of business you could stand running/owning/managing. Good luck!
I would recreate a Turkish bath house.. like I would go all out in tile work , I would make the upstairs a green house with a geo dome roof top/solar panels where you could grow eucalyptus for banya treatments. I would make a soaking tub one side like one that is built into the floor a small dipping pool for the cold water treatments but add lots of jets so when you get in, you are not only stimulated and invigorated by the cold water but you will have that extra kick of therapy on the muscles. This would be a great retreat like space for your entire family. Maybe even include some sort of sky light through the floor from the green house floor which brings in natural light from its roof/solar panel roof top..