News Flash

City officials Wednesday afternoon issued a permit for demolition of the Putnam Hotel.

Axia Putnam LLC, the property’s current owner, had been renovating the 100-year-old hotel in hopes of converting the building into high-end apartments. However, after renovation work had been initiated, several structural deficiencies were discovered by both the city’s building department and Axia. The Building Department requested that the property owner have its structural engineer assess the building’s integrity.

In late December, the city received a written report from BBM Structural Engineers, Inc., that the east wing of the building had deteriorated rapidly and recommended demolishing the building “in whole.” After selecting a contractor, Axia had to submit an application for demolition with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as is protocol, before being granted a demolition permit from the city.

The Putnam Hotel has stood for 100 years at its location on West New York Avenue and has seen multiple owners in recent years, though restoration efforts did not come to fruition.

“We are disappointed to receive the news that the Putnam has been deemed structurally compromised,” said Mayor Chris Cloudman at the time when the city first received word of the conditions at the Putnam. “The building has stood for many years in the heart of our downtown, and it is my hope that the property will be redeveloped in a manner that pays homage to the once prestigious hotel.”

Jeremy Long, Managing Partner for Axia Partners, noted at time, “We, too, are saddened with this outcome. We remain committed to finding a use for the Putnam site that pays tribute to the once prestigious hotel and the history of DeLand that it reflects.”  

The contractor, Elev8 Clearing & Demolition, intends to begin demolition work the week of February 13. As requested by the city, the contractor will attempt to salvage the bricks from the existing structure to be incorporated into its future project as well as for other interested parties.