A historic building in downtown Greenville may soon become a partial Airbnb.
Two applicants on today’s docket for the Board of Zoning appeals are asking to be approved for an AirBNB. Happy Traveler Investments is seeking approval from the city of Greenville’s Board of Zoning Appeals to use a unit within the historical Davenport Apartments as a short-term rental. Patricia Reynolds, along with the other applicant, Jeffrey and Illia Jones, the applicants on the application, must be granted a Special Exception Permit, as the apartments are zoned within an office and institutional district.
Currently, Reynolds operates the unit as a short-term rental, meaning the stay requires a minimum of 30 days, and acquired the appropriate occupancy permit in 2017, which she has maintained.
The request comes just one month after the board approved a similar request for an Airbnb on Pettigru Street.
The Davenport Apartments were approved as a National Register property in 1982 and made up the first apartment building in the city, often housing middle-class workers. Built in 1915-1916, the three-story building is notable for its unique “U” shape. Currently, it contains 27 apartments.
Unit 4, the unit being proposed as a short-term rental, has three separate ways of entry and multiple places for visitors to park. According to the agenda, staff recommends approval with the condition that the Special Exception permit would not be transferable, but the final decision will not be available until the meeting on Nov. 16.
