Land Board accepts donation of $5M mansion from Gianfortes

The Montana Land Board on Monday accepted the historic Hauser Residence in Helena as a donation to the state from Gov. Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte.

At 720 Madison Avenue, the property is intended to be used as a residence for Montana governors. An appraisal counts more than 12,000 square feet and 29 rooms.

Gov. Gianforte, a member of the Land Board, abstained from the vote as trustee of the property.

Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Jim Brown described the decision as “one of the more consequential matters that we’re going to vote on as this body.”

“We’re presented with an opportunity to acquire property … that’s not only beautiful, but is also historic and befitting the importance of the office of the Montana governor,” said Brown, Land Board member.

The Land Board also includes Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, Attorney General Austin Knudsen, and Superintendent of Public Schools Susie Hedalen, who all supported the donation to the state.

The appraisal report valued the property at $5 million.

A description said its style is Victorian/Queen Anne with Romanesque influences.

The report said it includes German stained-glass panels commissioned in 1915 by Bishop John P. Carroll and crafted by the same designer who created the stained glass for the Cathedral of St. Helena — “irreplaceable.”

It also has nine fireplaces original to the 1885 construction, black walnut wainscoting (wood panels), parquet floors, and a carved oak “grand staircase, the report said.

Another property, 2 Carson Street, was used as a governor’s residence in the more recent past, but it is in disrepair, has been vacant since at least 2022 and needs at least $4.5 million in repairs, the Department of Administration has estimated.

“There is no official executive residence designated in Montana statute or rule,” the Department of Administration said in an information packet. “However, the residence located at 2 Carson Street was built for and previously used by the state as the governor’s residence.”

The Department of Administration will work with the Capitol Complex Advisory Council to create policies to use the Hauser mansion as “the executive residence.”

The Department of Administration earlier told the Daily Montanan the property will require an estimated $2 million in upgrades to prepare it to serve as the “executive residence.”

Brown and Knudsen thanked the Gianfortes for their generosity, and Brown said accepting the donation was “fiscally prudent” for the state of Montana.

Brown said a tour of 2 Carson Street last week confirmed his decision to accept the Hauser donation on behalf of the state of Montana.

“It (the Carson residence) is in a terrible state of repair and not befitting a governor’s mansion,” Brown said.

However, Brown also said the Hauser property will require ongoing operations and maintenance from the Montana Legislature to avoid the same situation.

He said Idaho was given a beautiful residence, but within 10 years, the property was no longer being used as the governor’s mansion because of “absolutely exorbitant” operations and maintenance costs.

The 2025 Montana Legislature funded $270,250 for this biennium for the Hauser residence “upon completion of the transfer.”

Brown said he hopes future legislatures recognize the need for upkeep as well.

“It is my hope and my plea … that they fund the (operations and maintenance) on this property so 20 years from now, 30 years from now, members sitting on this land board aren’t facing the same questions,” Brown said.

Maintenance on the Carson property costs at least $100,000 a year, said state Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell in public comment.

Dunwell, a Helena Democrat, urged the state to keep the Carson Street asset “because property around the Capitol Complex is very precious.”

She also said owners of “upper-valued homes” are going to be billed more in property taxes this year because of a new tiered structure.

Dunwell said she found the timing of the Gianfortes’ donation “peculiar” and in contrast to the ability of some of her constituents.

She said one woman, a state worker, has a property tax bill that’s now $28,000 for a home her grandfather built.

“She can’t offload the property for any tax benefit or to avoid taxation,” Dunwell said. “She does have to move because she’s not going to be able to afford that amount in taxes.”

However, Dunwell also said the gift was “an awesome, generous donation.”

When the Gianfortes announced the purchase of the Hauser residence in 2024, the governor said they would donate it following his service to the state of Montana.

His office last week said he was donating it now to ensure it would be in good repair for the next First Family.

Department of Administration Director Misty Ann Giles said she expects the Capitol Complex Advisory Council will take up a decision on the Carson Street residence in the next four weeks.