(May 25, 2017) Real estate developer Thang Tran feels positive about the potential for future growth in Snow Hill.
Tran, who operates Golden Phoenix Property Management in Silver Spring, is in the midst of rehabbing the nearly 200-year-old, 10,000-square-foot building at 110 West Green Street.
“We started in November and we plan to finish it sometime in August,” he said. “It’s one of the biggest buildings in the town.”
In light of the location’s massive size, Tran has reimagined the floor plan to accommodate a wider array of users. The site was formerly home to a clothing store.
“We turned it into a six-unit commercial building,” he said. “They vary from 850-1,500 square feet in size.”
The two-story brick building was in a serious state of disrepair when Tran purchased the property nearly two yeas ago.
“The floor was caving in on the second floor and sagging about 18 inches,” he said. “We put new floors in.”
Based on his previous experience rehabbing and developing commercial properties in and around the D.C. area, Tran saw potential in the structure.
“It’s too much space for one tenant,” he said. “Even to subdivide it’s still too big.”
Once the multi-unit approach was decided upon, Tran began to strategize methods to introduce elements of life back to the long-neglected structure.
“Before when you came in here it was darker and you saw birds flying around,” he said. “We added a brand new roof with six oversized skylights.”
Other updates Tran is installing include large windows, a rooftop deck, insulation for energy efficiency and modern, tankless water-heaters.
Each unit also has an ADA-compliant bathroom.
Tran said he is building an additional second-floor unit in the back of the structure, which would provide picturesque views of the Pocomoke River. He also noted while the first floor units are zoned commercial, the second floor could also be used as a residence.
“The first unit should be ready for occupancy in two weeks,” he said. “We’ll use it for a show room.”
After that, Tran plans to phase in each new unit, with two more available for occupancy by June. After completion, Tran said Snow Hill Economic Development Coordinator Michael Day would assist in marketing the building.
Tran said he developed an interest in Snow Hill more than a decade ago when he purchased commercial property just outside the town limits. Since that time he has worked to assure the town shares his vision for future development.
“We also want the Town of Snow Hill to get used to what we are doing,” he said. “You learn from us [and] we learn from you.”
Other perks Tran has discovered is a ready work force in the area.
“Our policy is hiring local people,” he said. “All the contractors live in the town.”
Unlike projects in large urban areas, where Tran said scheduling delays are sometimes unavoidable because of layers of bureaucratic red tape, Snow Hill is a far different animal.
“Here if you have a problem on the job site, I just walk over and I see the inspector right away,” he said. “That’s the luxury we don’t have anywhere else.”
Although Snow Hill’s population has decreased slightly during recent years, Tran said property developers tend to take the long view.
“When it comes to housing, you have to build for 10 years ahead of time,” he said. “Even if the demand right now is something else, you have to think about the future.”
Tran, who operates Golden Phoenix Property Management in Silver Spring, is in the midst of rehabbing the nearly 200-year-old, 10,000-square-foot building at 110 West Green Street.
“We started in November and we plan to finish it sometime in August,” he said. “It’s one of the biggest buildings in the town.”
In light of the location’s massive size, Tran has reimagined the floor plan to accommodate a wider array of users. The site was formerly home to a clothing store.
“We turned it into a six-unit commercial building,” he said. “They vary from 850-1,500 square feet in size.”
The two-story brick building was in a serious state of disrepair when Tran purchased the property nearly two yeas ago.
“The floor was caving in on the second floor and sagging about 18 inches,” he said. “We put new floors in.”
Based on his previous experience rehabbing and developing commercial properties in and around the D.C. area, Tran saw potential in the structure.
“It’s too much space for one tenant,” he said. “Even to subdivide it’s still too big.”
Once the multi-unit approach was decided upon, Tran began to strategize methods to introduce elements of life back to the long-neglected structure.
“Before when you came in here it was darker and you saw birds flying around,” he said. “We added a brand new roof with six oversized skylights.”
Other updates Tran is installing include large windows, a rooftop deck, insulation for energy efficiency and modern, tankless water-heaters.
Each unit also has an ADA-compliant bathroom.
Tran said he is building an additional second-floor unit in the back of the structure, which would provide picturesque views of the Pocomoke River. He also noted while the first floor units are zoned commercial, the second floor could also be used as a residence.
“The first unit should be ready for occupancy in two weeks,” he said. “We’ll use it for a show room.”
After that, Tran plans to phase in each new unit, with two more available for occupancy by June. After completion, Tran said Snow Hill Economic Development Coordinator Michael Day would assist in marketing the building.
Tran said he developed an interest in Snow Hill more than a decade ago when he purchased commercial property just outside the town limits. Since that time he has worked to assure the town shares his vision for future development.
“We also want the Town of Snow Hill to get used to what we are doing,” he said. “You learn from us [and] we learn from you.”
Other perks Tran has discovered is a ready work force in the area.
“Our policy is hiring local people,” he said. “All the contractors live in the town.”
Unlike projects in large urban areas, where Tran said scheduling delays are sometimes unavoidable because of layers of bureaucratic red tape, Snow Hill is a far different animal.
“Here if you have a problem on the job site, I just walk over and I see the inspector right away,” he said. “That’s the luxury we don’t have anywhere else.”
Although Snow Hill’s population has decreased slightly during recent years, Tran said property developers tend to take the long view.
“When it comes to housing, you have to build for 10 years ahead of time,” he said. “Even if the demand right now is something else, you have to think about the future.”