Courtesy Bayview Suites & Marina
By Christine Graf
Brothers Jim and Con Burke have purchased Bayview Lakeside Suites & Marina in Bolton on Lake George from Gary LaVoy for $4.9 million.
The brothers grew up in Lake George and Con is one of the owners of Lake George-based BBB Construction. Jim relocated to North Carolina where his import/export warehouse and distribution company, IGL Logistics, is headquartered.
According to Jim Burke, he and Con view the marina as a solid investment. Con is very familiar with the property, having worked on numerous projects for the LaVoys over the years.
“He has connections there from working on the property for almost 20 years for the LaVoy family,” he said. “Through that connection, we started having some conversations with Gary LaVoy. After a series of talks and discussions, we were informed that there were several bidders on the property. When it came down to the wire, he wanted a quick close and we were able to strike a deal with Gary.”
The LaVoy family had owned the Bolton Landing marina since 1992. It is situated on Huddle Bay, just south of the Algonquin Restaurant, and includes a marina with 28 private docks, 155 feet of lake frontage, three suites and an owner’s residence.
“It’s private dock space. We don’t do sales. We don’t do fuel,” said Burke. “But we think it’s in the prettiest, most pristine location on Huddle Bay across from the Sagamore. It’s gorgeous and you are within walking distance to all of the shops and restaurants.”
The portion of the facility that was previously owner occupied will be converted to a vacation rental property. The existing one-, two- and three-bedroom efficiency suites will also continue to be available to vacationers.
“We will rent through Airbnb or through the website that’s there,” he said. “We will continue on with the suites and do some improvements and modifications. But the property is pristine and that is one of the most alluring facts about it. My brother has done all of the tanks and the septic and the improvements in water. And Gary LaVoy has always been top-notch and never had a screw that was out of place or a piece of rust. Everything is meticulous.”
Demand for private dock space is high, and Burke expects to have a waiting list for rental of one of the marina’s 28 private docks.
“There’s a lot of demand on the lake for premium dock space,” he said. “There is more demand than there is capacity.
The Burkes are one of several new marina owners on the lake. In the past three years, seven marinas have changed hands. In October, Pilot Knob Marina, one of the oldest marinas on Lake George, was purchased by Massachusetts healthcare software company owner, John Donnelly and his wife, Christine. Several months earlier, Capital Region plastic surgeon, Dr. Edwin Williams III, purchased F.R. Smith and Sons Marina in Bolton Landing.
Burke said that he and his brother are honored that the LaVoys chose to sell the marina to them.
“It is prized possession. We were very fortunate and are very humble that we were able to have an opportunity to purchase it. It’s a season of Thanksgiving, and we are grateful to have it. We will be good stewards of the property.”
The facility’s website is www.bayviewlakegeorge.com.