BELLINGHAM - A local bookkeeping firm will soon find itself in a waterfront building with plenty of history.

Pavlosky Accounting Solutions Inc. is moving into the former Bloedel Donovan corporate headquarters building at 100 Pine St., at the foot of Cornwall Avenue south of the former G-P facility. The bookkeeping company expects to move into the space Friday, Nov. 9, occupying about 2,000 square feet and making it the largest tenant in the three-story building.

Company President Heather Pavlosky said there are several reasons for the company's move, but she was particularly intrigued about being on the waterfront in a historic building. The eight-employee company also offers virtual office services and meeting spaces.

"I think it's going to be the next revitalized area in Bellingham," Pavlosky said, noting the plans about extending the boardwalk in the area and waterfront redevelopment plans at the former G-P site. "It's also a great place to be, with plenty of views of the water."

It's unclear exactly when this building was built, but the best guess is 1911, said Rob Nielson, president of Nielsen Brothers, which owns the building. Bloedel Donovan used the building as its corporate offices until the company was liquidated in the mid-1940s.

Nielsen Brothers, a timber logging company, was a tenant in the building in 1987 before purchasing it from Brooks Manufacturing in 1992.

A couple of years ago the building's pilings had deteriorated to the point that a major remodeling project was needed. Nielsen had the second and third floors lifted off the building, then the company demolished the first floor, put in new pilings and a new first floor. Once the first floor was completed, the second and third floors were put back on top of the building.

While saving the building was a major factor in Nielsen's decision to remodel, he also was concerned that if he had demolished the building, he might not have been able to rebuild at that site because of new shoreline regulations.

While it was quite a bit of work, Nielsen said they were ultimately happy with the result of saving the second and third floors.

"It's a great design with large offices," Nielsen said.

Other tenants in the building include the James R. Doran law office and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Reach DAVE GALLAGHER at dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2269. Visit his business blog online at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/business or get updates on Twitter at twitter.com/BhamHeraldBiz.