Items Tagged ‘offices’
Ideas Abound for Future Use
Synopsis:
The Town of Amherst (Massachusetts) and leaders of the North Congregational Church are in talks to determine how to best reuse the church building. The congregation at North Church has become too small for the large building. They plan on either renting out a small portion for themselves, or turning the building over completely for a new use. While some talk has included the idea of another religious group taking over the space, many discussions have focused on adapting it for a new use.
The leaders of the church have stated that they do not support the building become condos or retail space. Office space is one consideration, but a lack of parking has stymied this idea. Another idea is for the congregation and the North Amherst Library to trade spaces, providing the library with much-needed room. The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce has voiced its support for the building to be turned into an arts and performance center.
At this point, no plans have been set in stone. The church is awaiting a potential buyer who’s intentions for the structure meet their own desires.
The Green Building
Synopsis:
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]
Office Sense: Pods for Lawyers?
Synopsis:
An early 20th century industrial building has been turned into the new Richmond location for Gregory Kaplan Law Firms. Richmond BizSense put together a walk-through video of the space featuring Rick Gregory. Aside from recycling the building, a number of elements within the office itself are recycled including the cubicles.