One of the most historic residential properties in downtown Wilmington is now for sale.

The Dudley Mansion, 400 S. Front St., was placed on the market Thursday afternoon for $1.2 million.

The 10,000-square-foot historic home was built in 1825 and has undergone numerous expansions and renovations over the years, according to a news release.

It was the home of Edward Dudley, a Wilmington businessman and the state’s first elected governor. Pembroke Jones and his wife purchased the home in the 1880s.

The residence is protected under state and local historic status and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The mansion briefly housed a restaurant during World War II and then was used as a headquarters for The Elks Club until 1969, the news release stated. The Historic Wilmington Foundation later used the home as its headquarters until 1985.

Jessica Edwards, a Realtor with Wilmington-based Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, is serving as the listing agent on the property.

The historic home in recent years drew the attention of neighbors and complaints filed with the city because of events that the former owners held there.

Ronald and Cynthia Pickett bought the home in 2010, paying $3.2 million for the residence, according to New Hanover County tax records.

The couple rented the home out for weddings and parties – a decision that drew the ire of nearby neighbors. The city filed a lawsuit in April 2010, arguing that the events violated city code, according to court documents. Both parties eventually settled in late 2010, which allowed the couple to host seven wedding previously booked at the mansion, but prohibited any additional weddings after that.

Ultimately, the Picketts vacated the property and held an auction of the mansion’s furniture, antiques and artifacts before handing the property over to the bank, according to news reports.

Now back on the market, the three-story home with five bedrooms, three full bathrooms, three half bathrooms and nine fireplaces, also features expansive porches, a media room, library, dual staircases, a state-of-the-art kitchen and high-end appliances, according to a news release.

The basement has two separate living spaces, complete with kitchens and bathrooms and totals an additional 3,700 square feet.

Another well-known historic house in the downtown district also recently sold, according to area brokers.

Actress Linda Lavin’s former downtown Wilmington residence at 411 S. Front St., which once served as the headquarters for the local American Red Cross chapter and was built around 1912 as the residence of cotton exporter James Sprunt, was purchased in May.

The 4,400-square-foot, Mediterranean-style home was sold by Carla Weichman, a Realtor with Wilmington-based Intracoastal Realty, for $859,000 – $20,000 less than the asking price, according to Intracoastal officials.

The residence was initially listed by Betsy Leonard, a Realtor with Wilmington-based Intracoastal Realty, in September.  

Lavin purchased the property in 1997, according to a press release from Intracoastal. The home sits on one of the largest lots in the downtown historic district, stretching from Front to Second streets.