DERRY — Two buildings in Derry are part of land deal that may spark new life into the west end of town
The buildings — a multifamily building at 37 West Broadway, along with the Marinier's Inn next door — sold recently to someone from Boston for $545,000, according to real estate records provided by Summerview Real Estate, the company that handled the sale. The former owners were Henry and Eleanor Camirand, longtime civic volunteers.
The Camirands have owned the three-story, 16-room Marinier's Inn with the unique cupola for 15 years, and operate a boardinghouse there. Eleanor Camirand's parents ran a boardinghouse there for 35 years.
But the building was an inn even before her family took ownership, she said. Eventually called the Marinier's Inn after her family's name, the inn was built around 1887. The house next door is a bit older, she said, and also served as a multifamily rental space for guests through the years.
In Derry's early years, many boardinghouses dotted the West Broadway landscape, according to local historian Richard Holmes. He said these unique structures were on the town's books when perhaps the town didn't have enough housing to go around.
"We had about 3,000 people working in the shoe factories," Holmes said. "Before the trolley came in, you had to be within walking distance."
Summerview Real Estate owner/broker Steve Trefethen said in an e-mail the new owner may start restoration work on the two buildings soon.
With the sale of the buildings, the Camirands plan to move to a one-story home closer to family in Pinardville. The couple are very involved in volunteer work with the Greater Derry Humane Society and the Derry Dog Park.
"We will miss Derry," Eleanor Camirand said. "But we will still do our Humane Society work."
Holmes said if a restoration project is in the works, it could serve Derry well.
"It could be a nice gateway to the town," he said.
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