By Debra Jensen De-Hart - December 18th 2023
BELOIT
Adaptive reuse in the 21st century has become a calling card for much of Beloit. From industrial to retail, housing and more, projects remain in progress.
One of those current projects is at a century-old edifice that has become a local landmark.
Welcome to The Castle, 501 Prospect St. Once home to the Presbyterian congregation until it could no longer be maintained.
About a dozen years ago the building was purchased by John and Jody Wittnebel whose passion for the structure and their hard work on the structure saved it.
However, the time has come once again for new ownership, Jody Wittnebel said.
While the Wittnebels received several offers, they were more interested in the right person obtaining The Castle.
That person was Levi Anderson.
Some might know Anderson from 5Bar, the pub he owns at 530 E. Grand Ave. in downtown Beloit.
A native of Seattle, he has had various jobs including owning a coffee shop. He moved to Beloit when he was hired at Kerry Inc.
“I was the liquid chef and traveled the world for the company,” he said.
But by his 35th birthday, his life took another turn when he bought the bar, he said.
For a while, however, he also had his eye on The Castle.
“This building has been on my radar for the past two years. It’s one of the best built buildings and is a great venue for weddings, musical events and more,” Anderson said.
And after more than a dozen years of maintaining and making needed repairs to the building, offering it for weddings, music lessons, concerts and more, the Wittnebels were ready to sell.
“It’s simply time for us to move on,” Jody Wittnebel said.
As for choosing Anderson: “We just felt very connected to Levi. He’s very good with dealing with people and he has embraced the community,” Jody Wittnebel said.
“He’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves; he’s not afraid to work a 15-hour day,” she added.
And roll up his sleeves he is doing as his vision for the third floor of The Castle is being transformed into another usable space. There will be a viewing platform and a bar in that space that looks down on the sanctuary area below through a large glass window.
“It will be a very elevated experience,” Anderson said.
At the opposite side of the viewing area is a huge stained glass window allowing natural light into the area. Bathrooms will be added as well.
“My goal is to have it done April 8, that is the 100th anniversary of when the stained glass windows were installed in the church,” he said.
Meanwhile, he will still oversee 5Bar, but will be spending his time working on The Castle, he said.
As for the Wittnebels, “We will always be involved with music and helping,” Jody said. Her son, Johnny will still give music lessons.
‘It’s good for the soul to make music,” she said.
Anderson also will still offer the site for weddings, concerts and such. The lower level of The Castle also can be used for banquets.
Also on the third floor are 14 rooms that could be leased out Anderson said.
And the sanctuary, with its immense and colorful stained glass windows telling their own stories will remain as is with perhaps minor changes to the staging area.
Anderson said he wouldn’t want to change much there because of the grand acoustics which are so instrumental for musical performances.
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