For sale: Former Hells Angels clubhouse now an investment opportunity

The formerHells Angels clubhouse in the city's east endis up for sale, advertised as "great investment opportunity" in an onlinereal estate profile.

The asking price for a fortified two-storey former tavern with lockedgates,barbed wire protecting its side parking lot,barred windows and a new roof in 2010?? How does $499,000 sound?

The red-brick former tavernonBeach Road at Gage Avenue Northwashome to theHamilton chapter of the biker gang for years, but onJan. 28, the groupwasevicted. As tenants in the building, the group says it wascaught up in a dispute betweenbetween the owner and person holding the mortgage.

• Hells Angels surprised by eviction and say clubhouse rent is paid

• Hells Angels getting evicted from north Hamilton clubhouse

Earlier this month, a fireon the second floor of the building caused $75,000 indamage. The Hamilton Fire Department saidthe fire is not beingconsidered suspicious, butwas caused by an electrical issue between floor joists of the second floor.

History means extra attention

"Classic tavern in central Hamilton near TimHortonsField," the ad reads. "Completely renovated 2009 & 2010, roof 2010. Great investment opportunity!"

Dan Golfi, a sales representative with ReMax, is working with his father Rob Golfi to sell the property. Dan said there were a few people interested in the property before the fire and even with the current fire damage, people are still interested in checking out the building.

The ceiling is still dripping water in some locations on the first floor. A half-dozen fans are placed around bar area, aimed toward the open ceiling in hopes of drying the water.

In a phone interview, real estate agent Rob Golfisaid becausethe building was a former Hells Angels clubhouse, it's received an increased levelofattention.

"I think it's helpful because everybody knows it," he said."Everyone's going to want to see inside it."

GregTilleyis reportedly the property owner. According to 2009media reports,Tilleywas the one-time owner of the Gage Tavern, which used to be located at that address.

City to sell property in tax sale

Complicatingany sale, though, will be an issue with overdue city taxes. Larry Friday, the city's director of taxation, said the propertyis scheduled to be sold off for unpaid taxes at the city's next tax sale in May.

A city lien was placed on the property in late 2014 and the one-year redemption period would have expired in late 2015, he said. If the owner isn't able tosell the property before the springand clear up the lienthe city will take over and try to sell it off themselves.

Friday said the owner has been in conversation with his office.

Angels not interested

Jaime Stephenson, a Hamilton lawyer speaking on behalf of the biker gang, said the members haveremoved alltheir belongings from the building.

When asked if the bikers werelooking to eventually move back into the building, she said the fact that gang members have removed their stuff from the space and the building is up for sale should indicate that they're not.

She also said the gang memberswere not connected to the fire in any way and there is noinvestigation into the cause of this firethat she's aware of.