Townsend struck yet another blow for Memphis preservation on Tuesday, buying the historic but neglected Lowenstein Mansion with plans to restore it. . .

The same man who recently purchased the ornate Masonic Temple at Court and Fourth and the 81-year-old Luciann Theater building at 2432 Summer Ave. closed on his purchase of the house that department store owner Elias Lowenstein built in the early 1890s. . .

But no tension is anticipated by either Townsend or Memphis Heritage executive director Leah Fox-Greenberg. The former is an enthusiastic preservationist and the latter is the city’s leading advocate for preservation. . .

“Memphis Heritage is in partnership with Bill Townsend in restoring our amazing history, starting with the theater on Summer Avenue, not to mention the Lowenstein House now,” Fox-Greenberg told The Daily Memphian.

“We look forward to more folks like Bill Townsend understanding the importance of preservation and development of assets currently in the city,” she said.

The Lowenstein structure comprises two parts: The original 1892 home in front, and a “new,” dormitory-like addition in the back. The addition is more than 100 years old, Townsend said.

He envisions turning the Lowenstein Mansion into a boutique hotel, or perhaps a place that wedding parties can use in tandem with the Masonic Temple, which is less than a mile to the west.