This single family, 528 square foot home is located on the south side of North East’s Main Street. The condition of the property has declined significantly following a fire in December 2016 that damaged or destroyed the three structures located immediately to the east of 59 W. Main Street, including a second property – a two-story home – that shared the same address/house number.
Although the home is located just outside of the North East Historic District boundary, it was included in the 2014 countywide inventory of historic resources. For the purpose of the inventory, it was categorized as a Class 2 resource, which are “Properties containing historic resources at least 75 years old and of high architectural significance and architectural integrity; these properties, in the opinion of the inventory/preservation consultant, have the potential to be determined eligible for the National Register.”
The property was acquired by the Erie County Land Bank in May 2021. Presently, the building has boarded up doors and windows and is fully surrounded by orange construction fencing. At the publishing of this write-up, the home had not yet been evaluated by the Erie County Land Bank, nor had decisions been made regarding its future.
Update (9/2025)
Sean Maloney, a native of North East with construction experience, purchased the building from the Land Bank, as well as the vacant lot next door from North East Borough. He’s incorporating both the historic building and the vacant lot into a new business, The Travelers Village. Once complete, the Village will offer short-term rentals.
The Village is being built in phases, with phase one being the rehabilitation of the little doctor’s office. It’s getting all new electric and plumbing, has had its foundation repaired and leveled, and will have custom/contemporary historic materials throughout. This one little building will sleep up to six adults, and he plans to have it open for rentals starting May 1, 2026. He had an open house of the building last June and will host another one in April or May 2026 before it opens for rentals.
During phase two, two to five tiny homes/cottages will be built on the vacant lot, and in phase three, a central courtyard connecting all the rental units will be built. Wedding parties, family reunions, etc. wanting rental space in North East can book the entire Village, which will accommodate 24-30 guests when complete. Sean’s long-term plan is to offer itineraries to those who rent from him that will include visits to wineries, Panama Rocks, etc. When the units are vacant, he’s hoping to use the courtyard in partnership with downtown businesses like the Skunk’n Goat to host cooking classes, intimate concerts, etc.
Track the progress of the project at the FB page for The Travelers Village: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095518501973