A George Washington High School graduate who has lived and worked in Asia for the past 10 years hopes to help improve housing in North Danville and attract artists and artisans to the area near the North Theatre.

Five years ago Steve DelGiorno said he and his wife decided they wanted to become “entrepreneurial investors” and began looking at real estate. Since then, they have purchased 10 houses and two commercial properties in North Danville, once commonly called “Neapolis.”

“We looked at a variety of locations in the world and came to believe that the U.S. was where we should invest,” DelGiorno said. “We considered a number of locales, but kept coming back to Danville for several reasons.”

DelGiorno said he feels Danville is “building a solid foundation for its future economy,” as well as having a wealth of affordable historic structures. Most importantly, though, he said having a group of people he knew and trusted locally helped them decide to invest in Danville.

DelGiorno graduated from GW in 1981 and went to work at Nestle until he got a job with Daymon Worldwide, where he spent 20 years ultimately becoming vice president of the Asia region.

Now an equity partner and president of the Asia and North America elements of the Vershold Group, DelGiorno and his wife, Angela, have spent more than 10 years living and working in Tokyo, Hong Kong, South Korea and, now, China.

DelGiorno formed PARCO International LLC and in 2010, it purchased the commercial properties — 616 and 620 N. Main St. — in 2010, seven houses in 2011 and three houses in 2012.

Since then, the goal has been to do high-quality restoration of the properties.

“Danville needs quality single-family homes for rent,” DelGiorno said. “We believe that it is important to sustain or rebuild inner-city neighborhoods. We take great pride in the quality of the restorations in our rental homes.”

Now, DelGiorno is focused on the commercial buildings.

The former home of the local Order of Red Men lodge, 616 N. Main St., is listed in the National Register of Historic Places in the designated North Danville Historic District.

DelGiorno purchased the property and the one next door, at 620 N. Main St., because, “To us, it was important to buy the principal building in the retail block and return it to a look similar to when it was built in the 1890s.”

There have been extensive repairs made to the roofs, DelGiorno said, and 616 is currently being renovated, with the street level planned for commercial use and a large loft-style apartment slated for the upper level.

Jerry Meadors, project manager for the renovation, said the apartment — one huge room with a small kitchen, dining area and bathroom off it — will retain the three small stages used by the Red Men lodge, as well as the mosaic of its logo in the center of the floor.

“It’s going to be beautiful,” Meadors said.

Meadors said the exterior of the building is being restored, with custom bricks being made to match the original. The mis-matched brick at street level — which covered up windows — is being replaced and windows have already been replaced.

Similar plans are underway for 620 N. Main St., DelGiorno said. Roof repairs have been made and painting is scheduled for the spring.

James Holcombe said he has rented the building for his business, Woodcraft of Virginia, for 44 years, and is pleased with the attention the buildings are getting. Holcombe refinishes and repairs furniture.

DelGiorno said Holcombe is exactly the kind of tenant he would like to see moving to North Main Street.

“He is, in fact, a true artisan and part of our inspiration for wanting to locate other artisans to the area,” DelGiorno said. “From out experience, Angela and I know that a community of artists and artisans is something that many look for when considering living in a city.”

DelGiorno said he is interested in the city’s efforts to attract Chinese companies to the city, as well as with including a portion of North Main Street in its Tourism Zone.

“As an investor in the area, I support this [Tourism Zone] initiative wholeheartedly,” DelGiorno said. “…perhaps the idea of attracting artisans to the block can be connected.”

DelGiorno said he is pleased with the workers and workmanship on his projects.

“To a person, each knows his skill and executes it precisely,” DelGiorno said. “Although my work requires Angela and me to be out of the U.S. often, we are proud to call Danville home.”