Work to prepare Ridpath Hotel condos continues

Work to convert the top floors of the old Ridpath Hotel into condos continues, according to permits issued by the city.

The 12th and 13th floors of the building have long been considered for privately owned condos, but only recently did permits get issued for the 12th floor, which will have 14 units and see nearly $500,000 in renovation work. The 13th floor has undergone significant work and will contain three condo units.

Some of the 12th floor work is being done by Mark Mackin, who owns seven units, an elevator lobby and a hallway on the floor. Though the units will be sold as separate units, the rooms will be similar to the former hotel’s 206 units, many of which are “micro-apartments” and studios averaging 220 to 300 square feet in size. Most of those units are being rented as “workforce” housing and amount to a refurbished hotel room with a kitchenette, including a stainless steel sink, two-burner cooktop and refrigerator.

The 13th floor condos are much larger and are undergoing extensive renovation.

Though Mackin will hire his own contractor, the remaining work continues to be done by the Ridpath Penthouse LLC and Ron Wells Group LLC, companies controlled in part by Ron Wells, who recently pleaded guilty to nine felonies related to a massive insurance fraud scheme. Wells still has ownership in the project, but was stripped of decision-making authority in the Ridpath project by the others involved, which includes Paul Mann and Mackin.