CORE, the largest integrated commercial real estate firm in Northern New England, is pleased to announce the sale of Grace, a historic church and event venue located at 15 Chestnut Street in downtown Portland. The $1.43 million transaction closed on January 27, 2026.
The buyer, Jedi Temple LLC, was represented by Josh Soley and Frank Carr of CORE. The seller was Boodilly, LLC. The sale was conducted through an auction process, with the winning bid coming in below the property’s appraised value.
Originally constructed in 1856 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Grace is a rare example of early Gothic Revival architecture in Portland. Located adjacent to City Hall, the building served for more than 160 years as the Chestnut Street Church before being reimagined in 2008 as Grace Restaurant. In recent years, it has operated as a well-known event venue, hosting weddings, corporate gatherings, and cultural events in its cathedral-like interior. The property includes more than 14,000 square feet of event space with capacity for over 300 guests.
“We’re excited to help bring Grace into its next chapter,” said Josh Soley, President of CORE. “This is one of Portland’s most distinctive historic structures, and it’s a place many people remember fondly from when it was active and full of life. Tanner will be an excellent steward of the property, and we’re thrilled to see it poised for a new era.”
The buyer, entrepreneur Tanner Herget of Herget Hospitality Group, plans to maintain its strong reputation as an event destination while opening up its programming and accessibility to the wider community.
“Grace has always been a space where people come together, and I’m excited to help bring that back,” said Herget. “Our plan is to preserve what makes the building so iconic while expanding the ways the community can use it—from private events to wellness classes, concerts, comedy nights, and nonprofit fundraisers.”
The transaction further illustrates CORE’s brokerage expertise in downtown Portland and its ability to execute on unique opportunities in a competitive market.