A long-time iconic nightspot in the Wilmington music and entertainment scene is being marketed by a new local brokerage firm.

The Soapbox, located in the historic Elks Temple building at 255 N. Front St., is now being marketed for sale by Wilmington-based Maus, Warwick, Matthews & Company, according to a news release.

The building was formerly listed with Wilmington-based Century 21 Sweyer & Associates.

Hansen Matthews, partner and principal broker with the firm is listing the building with fellow broker and former Wilmington Downtown Inc. president and CEO, John Hinnant, for $1.26 million, the news release said.

The 17,000-square-foot building was returned to First Federal Bank earlier this summer after its original owner failed to make mortgage payments and upkeep the facility – forcing the closure of the building and its two tenants, Nutt Street Comedy Room and Marks of Distinction Tattoo, late June. 

The Boxing Elk LLC, which listed Brent Watkins as one of three manager, bought the building in 2006 for $1.4 million, according to New Hanover County tax records.

Watkins could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.   

The four-story complex has elevator access throughout, an entrance on Front Street that includes two entrances from the Water Street Parking deck, a sprinkler system and views of downtown Wilmington and the river, the news release said. 

Hinnant said Thursday that the building is gaining interest from a number of prospective buyers. He said that while the building could be reopened as an entertainment venue, its best use would be for mixed use development that incorporates residential, office and retail throughout the historic structure.