Bliss mansion owners say they are ready to pass it on to someone else

Bliss Mansion Bed & Breakfast is for sale again, and you can have it for $2.5 million. The furnishing are up for negotiation.

Co-owner Joyce Harrington said Wednesday that she and business partner, Ron Smith, would like to semi-retire. They will retain ownership of the Bliss Bungalow, which is the former Chartz House on Robinson Street, and will continue to live in Carson City.

"The house has been an amazing adventure, so we're looking for the next caretaker," she said.

The owners have received no offers yet, but so far they've only announced the sale to the Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce.

More than $1.5 million has been put into the restoration of the Bliss Mansion in the last 10 years. The three-story mansion was built in 1879 and sits on a little more than an acre at 608 Elizabeth St., which is across the street from the Governor's Mansion. The mansion is 7,897 square feet, plus a 1,000-square-foot duplex. The home is decorated to fit the Victorian era. The electric and plumbing renovation was done in 1995.

Whoever buys the mansion could opt to discontinue the bed and breakfast business, but Harrington hopes that they won't.

"We hope they continue to open it up to the community. It's Nevada historical marker No. 41."

Harrington and Smith bought the mansion in 2001 from Theresa Sandrini for $1.1 million, according to city assessor records. In the past 4 1/2 years, they've put about $250,000 into the restoration.

For information visit www.blissmansion.com.

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.