Contributing Writer

If you have not driven by 77 South Street lately, you could be in for quite a surprise. This 1800’s era Colonial located in the South Street Historic District is undergoing a major renovation. The house is believed to have been built in 1803 for James McLellan, a descendent of the McLellan family who settled in Gorham 278 years ago.

Photo credit Leslie Dupuis

Currently the windows have been replaced and the well worn exterior siding stripped. The exterior has been covered with house-wrap, commonly used as a vapor barrier between the sheathing and the siding, and is awaiting new siding.

The building was sold to Ben LaMarche and Cory Murray, doing business as Standish MODBL Real Estate LLC, in August 2016. At the time of the sale, the building was listed as the first floor being utilized as office space and the second floor as a two bedroom rental apartment.

According to Freeman Abbott, Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Gorham, the interior of the building is completely gutted, and he estimates the project is currently 25% complete. He further stated that the final use of the building has not been determined and at this point could be either residential or commercial.