99-bedroom lodge heads to auction in West Virginia. Could be yours for less than $1M
A ginormous lodge tucked away in rural West Virginia is hitting the auction block with an appraised price of under $1 million.
It’s a 99-bedroom, 19-bathroom historic lodge with 126 acres in the small town of Elkins, and there is some pretty gorgeous green scenery surrounding the three-story building.
“It’s eye-opening. It’s amazing. You drive by the building, and you look at it, but you can’t grasp how big it is until you get right up beside it,” listing agent Andrew Yoder with Kaufman Realty and Auctions told Realtor.com.
The thing is, while the listing price is set at $912,300 it could go for higher — or lower — than the estimated price tag.
“This property is selling to the highest bidder for whatever it brings. There’s no reserve on it,” Yoder tells Realtor. “If it brings $500,000 — or if it brings $3 million — it’s selling.”
Even if the lodge goes for a lesser number, the new owner will have their work cut out for them when it comes to upkeep, at least that’s what the listing hints toward.
“Both lodges are three story with two full basements, one wing has an elevator (up to code), fire hose on each floor in hallway, private septic, city water, mountaineer gas, mon power electric, gas bill approx. $2,100 per month,” the listing says.
The lodge has a strong history, according to the listing.
“This property offers great history, scenic views, majestic oak trees, wrap around porch, gazebo, the potential is unlimited with this property,” the listing says. “Shortly after the founding of Elkins, West Virginia, in 1889, residents established a chapter of the International Order of Odd Fellows. The organization reflected the spirit of the Progressive Era with its emphasis on self-improvement and service to the community. In the early 1900s, the Odd Fellows raised funds to create this home for orphaned children and the elderly.”
According to Yoder, the Odd Fellows is still an active organization.
“They’re just downsizing, and they don’t have the need for this huge building,” Yoder said to Realtor. “They still have other lodges in the state, but they’re shutting down this one.”
Bidding for the lodge will be held on Oct. 18.
Elkins is a town of about 7,000 people near the Monongahela National Forest.
This story was originally published October 15, 2021 at 5:27 PM with the headline "99-bedroom lodge heads to auction in West Virginia. Could be yours for less than $1M."