Peabody's Bell Inn & Tavern Brings Classic Touch To Historic Building

PEABODY, MA — A piece of history has been reimagined, renovated and now reopened in Peabody.

The O'Shea Mansion on Washington Street — a site of historical significance in the city dating back to 1740 — was reopened to the public on Tuesday as the Bell Inn & Tavern with an eight-room boutique hotel, tavern-style restaurant, basement speakeasy and a patio event space.

Developer Ed Greeley converted the property that was once home to The Bell Tavern, which played a key role in the Revolutionary War efforts and is designed to be part of the revitalization of downtown Peabody following the COVID-19 health crisis.

In 1775, local Minutemen gathered in the courtyard before marching off to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. J.B. Thomas acquired the site and converted it into a mansion in the late 1800s, and it was later converted into a furniture store and was home to the Pioneer House nonprofit center for people living with mental health conditions.

"This property has always been part of Peabody and the North Shore," Greeley said. "It's a part of the region's history dating back to the American Revolution. The current building has been vacant for several years, and it was too beautiful and means too much to this community to sit in disrepair.

"Now, it's going to be a home away from home for both locals and visitors — a place where people can catch up with old friends over delicious food, host a special event, or just rest their head for a few nights."

The Bell Inn & Tavern opened for dinner and drinks on Tuesday and will open for lunch, dinner and drinks on this coming Monday. The first day of Sunday brunch is set for Oct. 22.

Greeley also owns Mills 58, a trio of historic tannery buildings on Pulaski Street in Peabody that were successfully turned into a collaborative campus home to 75 small businesses, including antique stores, boutique shops, eateries, offices, and fitness studios.

Restaurateur Jeff Cala, known for his work with Serenitee Restaurant Group, which includes Maddie's Farm, Dire Wolf Tavern, Hale Street Tavern, and Alchemy at Lynnfield's Market Street, helped bring the restaurant and speakeasy bar to life.

"We've hired an energetic, creative culinary team that knows just the ingredients, entrees, and beverages that people in New England love," Cala said. "Of course, we'll add our own touch and experiment a bit, but our menus honor the North Shore's past and present."

The menu includes New England comfort food, burgers, baked clams, steaks and grilled fish, while the wine list highlights both American and French wines and the beer and spirit list includes local craft brewers and distillers.

The parking lot on Washington Street is expected to open in December with guests now invited to park on the street and in the Peabody municipal lots.

A grand opening Halloween party will be held on Oct. 28 with tickets available here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)