An historic St. George’s building, once a help centre for freed black men, could soon become a condominium complex.

The Somers Playhouse was built in the early 1900s and eventually became a theatre, which ultimately closed in 2001. Since then its exterior has become badly dilapidated.

But the social group which owns the 100-year-old landmark, in Wellington Street, sees a bright future.

The Somers Pride of India Lodge #899 has submitted a plan to the Ministry of Environment that will convert the elegant Georgian-style structure into 12 residential units within walking distance of Town Square.

Lodge Member Miguel DeCouto, 36, said: “In working on the submission, we have tried to stay true to the original architecture. That’s always a sensitive issue when it comes to old, historic buildings.

“But by the same token there are a lot of historic buildings that because of the way they’re built they are not that functional.”

The Lodge believes it has a plan that it can work, despite the historic restrictions. The Development Applications Board will have the final say.

And because the building is officially listed as a historic building, the Bermuda National Trust is expected to review the proposal as well.

The Corporation of St. George’s will also want to weigh in because of the town’s designation as a World Heritage Site.

Mayor of St. George’s Mariea Caisey said: “Once the drawings are received they will have to be reviewed by the Corporation, whose primary focus will be the architectural design — to ensure that the vision is in keeping with the historical element and vision of the town.”

Lodge members say they’re not only sympathetic to the historical parameters, but embrace them.

Mr. DeCouto added: “We’re looking at keeping it as the same kind of look and feel that currently exists.”

If approved, the new building will be called Unity Gardens and will stretch from the current location at 37 Wellington Street to 35 Wellington Street.

Ten of the units will be two-bed, two-bath, while the remaining two will be three-bed, two-bath. Many of them will have loft space.

Some of the Lodge members have deep roots in St. George’s and want to see the old town take on new life.

The applicant wrote in the planning submission: “It is anticipated that the development will have the added effect of promoting the revitalisation of the St. George’s town by increasing the in-town residential population.”

Exactly how the future of St. George’s should be shaped is a hot issue on the East End of the Island.

And so far, the town’s Mayor likes what she’s hearing from Lodge members, even though she has to reserve ultimate judgment until she’s seen the plans.

Mrs. Caisey added: “St. George’s has always been a residential town, and while this will be another sector of our history that will be gone forever, many of us spent Saturdays in Somers Playhouse as children, we realise that progress must happen, and this provision of residential housing could help to alleviate the housing shortage.”

The Lodge members say they have a commitment to keeping costs down because their organisation has a centuries old tradition of helping neighbours.

Member Shane Kelly said: “Whatever we do in the future we want it to be something that the community needs. We’re not a totally commercial driven organisation.

“The idea we have was to build something that is relatively simple and relatively affordable. And if you look at the planning design, it’s fairly simple. We’re not looking to build multimillion dollar condos. We’re not developers. We’re just an organisation that has a building and a piece of land and we’re trying to figure out the best use for it.”

Currently the building’s only function is as a warehouse for St. George’s hardware store Godet and Young. The old Godet warehouse was destroyed in a fire.

The Somers Playhouse is listed as a Stage 3 building which means it faces the fewest restrictions of all historic buildings — only architecture and aesthetics need to be maintained.

Lodge members believe they can toe that line with the new condo complex.

The public is invited to the Department of Planning to view the proposal and offer comments to the Applications Board.

Somers Playhouse to be converted into housing