Final decision Monday to turn La Crosse’s “Castle on Cass” into a B&B

Historic building, built in 1892, listed for $995,000

A final decision comes Monday on one of La Crosse’s most iconic homes.

The castle on Cass St. could become a bed and breakfast if the La Crosse city council gives approval.

Real estate magnate Nancy Gerrard said turning the home into a bed and breakfast is a great use for the 19th-century building.

“The fact that we have these two gentlemen wanting to move to our community from Texas and, not only wanting to maintain this house, but wanting to improve it,” Gerrard said, “I think that’s a blessing. I think this home is a gem.”

The city tightly restricts the use of homes as a bed and breakfast. Among those restrictions is that a home approved for the use has to already have a historical designation. Gerrard believes the Castle ought to qualify.

“I have lived the majority of my life within a few blocks of that area,” she said. “I’m as passionate about historic La Crosse as anybody in this room. And I am confident that this is the right decision for this property.”

The plan for the bed and breakfast come from a couple moving from Houston, Tex. – Bruce Barnes and Brandon Rigger – who will live in the home while they run it as an inn.

The house, built in 1892, located at 1419 Cass St., was listed on Zillow for $995,000. Its sale is contingent on city approval.

The home is 7,322 square feet and features eight bedrooms. The top floor used to be a ballroom but was remodeled in 1920.