Spokane developer Pete Rayner is negotiating to buy the historic Glover Mansion, on Spokanes South Hill, and already is operating it as a wedding and events facility.


Rayner says he took over operation of the mansion at the end of August under an agreement with its current owner, Neila Poteshman. He says he hopes to complete the purchase by the end of the month. He declines to reveal the price he and an unnamed partner will pay for the more than 100-year-old mansion, which is located at 321 W. Eighth.


Were booking Christmas parties, he says. You cant miss the Christmas season. Weve also taken over catering and are transferring the appropriate licenses from Poteshman, he says.


Rayner, who also owns Beacon Hill Events, an event facility located in northeast Spokane, says part of the success of the new venue will rest on his being able to secure more parking near the mansion. The grounds around the home provide just 13 parking spaces, he says.


Hes hoping to work out an arrangement with Sacred Heart Medical Center to use occasionally a parking lot owned by the hospital south of the Glover Mansion, he says.


The mansionthe former home of settler James Glover, who often is called the father of Spokanein recent years has been used as a bed-and-breakfast, an event facility, and a restaurant, Rayner says. Part of the mansions second floor currently is leased as office space for several healing-arts professionals, and the third floor, the mansions former ballroom, is being used as a private residence.


We will continue (those leases) for the short term, he says. If demand for the space grows, he says he could elect to restore the ballroom and take over the offices for more event space.


We have to get in and operate it and know how deep the pool is, shall we say? he says.


The Glover Mansion was designed by famed Spokane architect Kirtland Cutter, and was built in the late 1800s at a cost of $80,000 to $100,000, records show.