ORANGE PARK - Azaleana Manor’s four-acre riverfront property is transitioning into a boutique hotel for hosting weddings, parties and corporate events.

Owner Karrie Massee purchased the 10,500-square-foot house last year. She owns the Club Continental and the Winterbourne Inn in Orange Park. Now Massee, who had known of Azaleana Manor from a young age, was waiting on a certificate of occupancy.

She looked out to Mandarin through the house’s bay windows. It boasts 325 feet of riverfront property, with live oaks and palm trees.

“Look at this view,” she said.

Raymond Mason, the previous owner, left hundreds of books in the library paneled with cedar. Mason acquired Azaleana Manor in 1985 and significantly expanded the house.

Two years ago, Massee was approached to buy the house by Marcie Moody, Mason’s daughter. Massee said she initially thought the idea was unattainable, she “slept on it.”

Massee had an impression of the house from a few events, but she never fully saw it. The six-bedroom, $1.75 million house was an ideal next project.

Massee kept the chandeliers, books, an ornate mirror and some furniture. She’s spent the bulk of the renovation on adding private bathrooms to each room and refitting portions to ADA requirements. Between zoning and licenses, Massee has had her hands full.

But she has already booked a few events.

“Oh, it has been a process,” Massee said. “You would not believe.”

John Albert Ferguson purchased the property that included the Winterbourne in 1906. Massee was named after Karrie Ferguson, her great-grandmother. Following Ferguson’s death, the main house was built on the property. Massee’s family acquired the Winterbourne in 1982.

Including outdoors, 250 people can attend events on the property. About 12 can stay in the house.

“I think it has a privacy you won’t have with other events,” Massee said. “It’s not like a hotel where you have people wandering through hallways.”