Adaptive Reuse » Retail

Hanny’s

pete — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:12:10 +0000

History
Built in downtown Phoenix in 1947, the Hanny’s three-story department store was heralded as “an architectural divergence” for Downtown Phoenix and also for bringing a “new look,” architecturally speaking, to the city. The store included a basement level as well as mezzanine. “Hanny’s is recognized as the best International Style commercial building in Phoenix, and possibly in Arizona. The building itself recognized the city’s entry into the modern post World War II commercial era and significantly influenced commercial building design in the 1950s.” Designed by local architects Royal Lescher and Leslie Mahoney, the building served as home to the department store until it closed in 1986. It was vacant for a short time until the City of Phoenix purchased the building as a fire-testing facility.^[1]

(Re)Developer
Owner Karl Kopp owns a number of restaurants across the United States including AZ88 in Scottsdale, Elsa’s on the Park in Milwaukee, and Bar 89 in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood.

Scottsdale-based Janis Leonard was commissioned to handle the interior remodel of the space. Leonard also does seasonal installations at Kopp’s AZ88.^[2]

Outcome
Kopp developed the adaptive reuse plan for the old Hanny’s building out of a land-swap deal with Phoenix. He owned another building that he was planning to use for a restaurant but Phoenix wanted that site as part of Arizona State University’s downtown campus. Kopp received preservation funds with the swap in order to replace the Hanny’s roof.^[3]

The ground floor of the building already included an open floor plan and two-story ceiling height that made adapting it for a restaurant easy. The interior had to be repaired due to the numerous fire damage with custom-made bricks. The changing rooms on the mezzanine were gutted to make way for extra seating and restrooms.^[4] Hanny’s is making its mark on Phoenix once again.

The Green Building

pete — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:45:22 +0000

History
This former dry goods store, Sternau’s Dry Goods, was built in 1891 in Louisville, Kentucky. The dry goods store shut down in 1949, but was then occupied by a Goodwill Thrift Store from 1956 to 1977. It was then used as a photography warehouse from 1977 until 2006.^[1]

(Re)Developer
Augusta and Gill Holland purchased the building in spring 2007. Gill is a Norwegian-American Spirit Award-nominated film producer and the author of the children’s book “Louisville Counts.”^[2]

The Hollands hired (fer) studio, based on Los Angeles, to oversee the adaptive reuse process. The firm handles architectural, interior, landscape, and master planning design. It is well known for its eco-conscious design.^[3]

Outcome
This adaptive reuse project became the first commercial building in Louisville to go for US Green Building Council LEED platinum certification. The end product, a 15,000-square-foot mixed-use facility, is now home to a café, a gallery, event spaces, an indoor-outdoor courtyard, and offices and studios for local businesses. “Intent upon rescuing the building from decades of misuse, the project included resuscitating the structural masonry shell and infusing it with a modern core, including a 40 foot high lobby, expansive natural lighting, eco-friendly materials, and renewable energy systems, as well as extensive solar power, geothermal wells, and recycled denim insulation.”^[4]

Located in the East Market District (NuLu), The Green Building has become the flagship building for this area. This growing, hip district is made up of Louisville’s oldest neighborhoods, Butchertown and Phoenix Hill. This unofficial district is now best known for its galleries showcasing local, regional and national artists, unique specialty stores, antique shops and a growing number of upscale restaurants.^[5]

PNC Bank – Harbor East

pete — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:30:23 +0000

History
Dating back to the turn of the last century, this building was built as a furniture warehouse.^[1] The warehouse is located in the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore which was marked by numerous warehouses from the same time period.^[2]

(Re)Developer
PNC Financial Inc. was created in 1982 from the merger of Pittsburgh National Corporation and Provident National Corporation. Since 2000, PNC has been focused on being greener. From green banking to building LEED-certified new branches, the bank also focuses on construction with recycled materials and structures.^[3]

The architectural firm that adapted the warehouse was Gensler. The Baltimore location has handled projects across the United States.

Outcome
The redevelopment of Harbor East started in 1983 when Baltimore city officials hired a planning team to envision the new Inner Harbor.^[4] Gensler restored the warehouse while at the same time incorporated PNC hallmark traits. The 3,270-square-foot bank branch includes a retail banking area, offices, and a conference room. The height of the basement was lowered so as to allow the retail space to meet ground level. Numerous materials from the warehouse were reused in the renovation and will be coupled with the water- and energy-saving mechanical systems for the certification process to be awarded LEED Gold.^[5]

The Church Brew Works

pete — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:17:04 +0000

History
St. John the Baptist Church was built in 1902 and located in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh. Louis Beezer, Michael Beezer and John Combs were the architects that designed the rectory, church, school and convent. Although somewhat altered to provide a modern appearance, the buildings were designed in a Northern Italian Architectural style – remaining faithful to the existing architecture in the community. Starting in the 1950s, Lawrenceville and the rest of Pittsburgh were changing. Factories were closing up and shifting operations elsewhere. Due to financial and organizational considerations, the Diocese deconsecrated the church in 1993.^[1]

(Re)Developer
Sean Casey purchased St. John’s for $191,200. It was the first time that the Diocese sold one of its churches to a developer.^[2]

Outcome
The entire adaptive reuse project utilized 10,000 square feet of the church itself, 4,500 square feet of the rectory, and 2,000 square feet of the adjacent dilapidated school. The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation gave the church Historic Landmark status in 2001 thanks to the restoration work on the church’s Northern Italian architecture. Although it opened in the summer of 2006, the restaurant and brewery are currently still undergoing renovations.

The project did bring some uneasiness to the community due to the idea of a brewery being located among religious objects. The Diocese of Pittsburgh was assured that all of the sacred items had been removed before the sale of the church. Canon law requires that all religious objects be removed from churches that are being put to secular use. After the Church Brew Works opened, the diocese had been aggressive about “desanctification,” even if religious items are destroyed in the process.

There has also been an informal partnership made between the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation and the diocese to encourage a more sensitive reuse of religious buildings. In the agreement, Landmarks agreed to receive consent from the diocese before nominating a diocesan building to either the National Register of Historic Places or the city’s historic designation.

Since the opening of the Church Brew Works, 44 full-time and 40 part-time positions have been created. Also, while the surrounding neighborhood has not changed from the mixture of residential and commercial properties, the value of these properties has increased. Surrounding apartment complexes were sold to New York investors.^[3]

Chelsea Market

pete — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:45:52 +0000

History
Opening in 1913, the 11-story full-block structure from 10th to 11th Avenue and 15th to 16th Street in the Chelsea district of New York City became the most prominent part of the National Biscuit Company Complex. Designed by Albert G. Zimmerman, the complex was built on landfill. By 1958, Nabisco (National Biscuit) was had moved its operations to New Jersey. The buildings were sold in 1959 and had spotty use for the next few decades.

(Re)Developer
Irwin B. Cohen organized a syndicate to purchase the complex. The purchase was successfully done in the 1990s and the conversion began.

Outcome
The adaptive reuse of the complex began by converting the upper floors for office tenants. The building has become a hub for technology companies. The ground floor was reconfigured and a long interior arcade was created as home for food stores. “To walk through the Chelsea Market is to stroll through a sort of postindustrial theme park, carefully festooned with the detritus of a lost industrial culture, interspersed with food stores and restaurants.”^[1] The rebirth of the Nabisco building ushered in a new beginning for the Chelsea neighborhood as new ventures and residences have made their own home in surrounding old factories.

Fields Corner Municipal Building

pete — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:14:10 +0000

History
Built in 1874, this building served multiple purposes. It housed the Boston neighborhood’s District 11 Police Station as well as the first branch public library in the United States. It was designed in the Victorian Gothic style by George Clough, the first official architect for the City of Boston. The building was closed down in the 1970s and then experienced a number of fires in the 1980s. It is now currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.^[1]

(Re)Developer
The Fields Corner Community Development Corporation (FCCDC) is dedicated to facilitating the availability of housing and promoting economic development in order to enhance the environment for a healthy residential life in the Dorchester area of Boston, Massachusetts. FCCDC was formed by a coalition of neighborhood organizations already active in improving their respective neighborhoods: Clampoint Neighborhood Association, Dorchester Gardenlands Preserve and Development Corporation, Dorchester Neighbors Organizing Neighbors, Freeport Adams Development Corporation, and Meeting House Hill Improvement. Incorporated on April 11, 1980, its purpose was to plan and stimulate development in the Fields Corner Community to encourage further growth of the area as a residential community and to maintain a stable business community. FCCDC indicated in its Article of Organization that it would accomplish this mission by promoting business ventures and providing assistance to neighborhood groups which are involved in designing and planning activities within the Fields Corner target area.^[2]

Outcome
The City of Boston had planned to raze the building, but FCCDC successfully blocked the action in court. Subsequently an intricate package of financing to rehabilitate the property was brought together by the Fields Corner CDC, who acted as developer on the construction. The property reopened in 1985 with 13 units of affordable rental housing on the second and third floors and commercial space on the first floor. Additional funding was required to renovate the old jail in the basement to a space suitable for a restaurant.^[3]

The adaptive reuse of this old municipal building within the heart of Fields Corner is a great step to rebuilding and strengthening the community. Rather than losing its character to the wrecking ball, Fields Corner CDC has successfully shown that there is opportunity in the abandoned building as well as within the community itself. The great mix of uses within the renovated building will ensure constant use and activity for years to come.

Selexyz Dominicanen

pete — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:53:09 +0000

History
This 800-year old building once served this Dutch community as a Dominican church. Built in 1294, the Dominicans gave up the structure in 1794 when Maastricht was invaded by Napoleon and the religious order was forced out. Since that time it has served as a parish, then a warehouse, then an archive, and most recently as a bicycle storage location.^[1]

(Re)Developer
Selexyz, one of the larger chains of bookstores in the Netherlands, teamed up with Merkx + Girod to completely repurpose the old, significant building.

Outcome
The building is again flowing with life and activity. Located in one of the country’s oldest cities, the adaptation “retains the character and charm of the old church, while being fitted with a minimalist and modern interior design that overcomes any suggestion of fustiness.”^[2] Thanks to its massive ceiling height, two additional floors were added by a three-story black steel book stack to provide additional retail space. A cafe has been incorporated into the former choir alongside a seating area where shoppers can relax at the back of the building. A cross-shaped reading table was even included in the cafe area as homage to its past.^[3]

The Granary Lofts

pete — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:52:17 +0000

History
Originally serving as a granary, the building is part of the former Prussian Military Unit barracks complex in Gliwice. The complex was built between 1892 and 1914. After the war, it was used as a drugs warehouse for the nearby Military Hospital.^[1]

(Re)Developer
Wektor Inwestycje sp. z o.o. has been converting the entire military barracks complex into a new residential area by reusing old buildings as well as adding new ones. The adapted complex now has lofts, houses, apartments, and retail spaces.^[2]

Outcome
Near the city center, The Granary is perfectly located along with low and medium residential buildings and the Grunwaldzki Park. The ground floor of the building is intended for retail and/or office functions. The upper floors include 30 lofts of varying size (850-3,450). The residential portion retains the old granary aspects with exposed brick and wood beams. Two access columns with stairways and elevators were added alongside the building so as not to alter the original building.^[3]

Tropical Islands Resort

pete — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 02:47:54 +0000

History
Originally built in 2000, the larger hangar served as an airship building yard. CargoLifters intended to manufacture airships for worldwide transport of large freights to inaccessible destinations. The company however went bankrupt before ever the first unit was produced. It was purchased in 2003 by Tanjong PLC/Colin Au and opened in 2004 as Tropical Islands.

(Re)Developer
Tanjong is a public limited company based in Malaysia who formed a consortium with Au Leisure Investments Pte Ltd. of Singapore to purchase the vacant hangar.^[1]

Outcome
Tropical Islands Resort is on its way to becoming a tropical destination in the middle of Germany. The waterpark set inside the hangar is 710,000 sf with a pool that can accommodate up to 8,000 visitors a day. It also includes restaurants, shopping, tanning, stage entertainment, daycare facilities, bars and overnight camping.^[2] The project (and its success) offers an interesting perspective on the reuse of even the largest of structures. It just takes a little imagination.

Manhan Cafe

pete — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 16:58:28 +0000

History
An old gas station next to the city’s original firehouse closed down in the early 2000s. The location was a block away from another larger gas station and along one of the main corridors in Easthampton. Around the same time that the gas station shut down, the fire department vacated the firehouse for a brand new public safety building.

(Re)Developer
Douglas Hurteau and his daughter Jessica purchased the old gas station in 2006. Their dream was to create a new community space out of an auto-centric (small) piece of land.

Outcome
The Hurteaus successfully developed a thriving new space for the Easthampton community. Their timing was precise as they converted the gas station as the town was (and still is) experiencing an arts “renaissance”. The cafe is now a welcome fixture within the “community, offering a place for local artists to display their works and local musicians to perform. ” It is “a lovely place to grab a great cup of coffee, sit and read the paper, or check email on your laptop (free wireless internet).”^[1] Located just off the Manhan Rail Trail, the site still retains a large parking lot as well.