Our downtown historic buildings make up the fabric of our community. A lot of work has been done to bring many of these structures back to life. Our firm was fortunate to have the opportunity to work on bringing new life to this downtown jewel a few years ago.
There had been a fire in the building and the first floor had already been renovated before we got started. Our task was to put back together a very rough structure that had not been loved in a long time. The renovation goal was to provide a variety of unit sizes to allow for a range of rents in our downtown. Each unit has a bit of a unique personality.
As the contractor started taking the building apart, we found out that there were a lot of mistakes made in the past. In particular, a plumber many years ago had cut the joists out of a large section of the structure. There is honestly no reason why that building was still standing as we continued to uncover damage done by years of changes. The building was put back together safe and beautiful. The project celebrates some of the original materials exposing brick walls and wood floors. The apartments in this structure range from small to generous and all have the perfect location in the heart of downtown.
We love the finished project. If you have a historic building that needs some love and a new vision give us a call. We can help with that task and would love to be part of your solution.
The Charlottesville team sent me some photographs from their luxury apartment site visits yesterday. They have projects coming out of the ground in both Christiansburg and Winchester. It was a hot day for checking out progress, but they were pumped to share the projects when they came through our Harrisonburg office. The Contractor for both projects is KBS based in Richmond.
The Adams at Pepper’s Ferry is a 168 unit community located in the Town of Christiansburg, Virginia. This luxury apartment community features a clubhouse, pool, garage storage units, and a pavilion with built-in grills and seating. This community is located near New River Valley Mall, Target, Home Depot, and Lewis Gale Hospital Montgomery. Also seeking EarthCraft certification, these homes will feature strategies designed to reduce energy usage and increase comfort.
KBS, Inc. has broken ground in Christiansburg on The Adams at Peppers Ferry. This 168 unit luxury living community is just one of the many multi-family projects Gaines Group Architects have under construction or in design across the commonwealth. The project is located within walking distance to that region’s largest concentration of retail and is 1.4 miles from the Lewis Gale Hospital. This project will feature all the amenities that you want in a luxury community including a fitness center, theater, community game room, and pool. The large apartments feature 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom layouts. Stay tuned to our blog as progress is made on The Adams at Peppers Ferry.
The LOFTS at 83 South Main are ready for move in after months of work.
It takes a special person to see potential in a building that has been neglected for so long. Fortunately our client was such a person. The LOFTS located in the heart of historic downtown Harrisonburg are now available for rent. Built in the 1880’s this South Main Street building has seen a massive revitalization. The exterior retains the historic character, but the interior of this building has been completely reconstructed and updated.
The exposed brick walls, large windows, and modern amenities will make these units some of the most desirable for local professionals. Located less than a block from court square and right across the street from Jack Brown’s these units will not stay available for long.
When we started the project there were considerable challenges. The floors sloped, there was fire damage, the windows were falling apart, and the plumbing / electrical / heating / cooling systems were a wreck. The previous building owner had not maintained the structure for many years. Once construction started we found even more structural issues that were hidden inside the floor systems and behind the plaster. This building needed a LOT of care to bring it back to a safe and comfortable dwelling.
Once Bryan Nesselrodt Construction completed their work you can see the beauty has been restored. The units are simple, but offer all the amenities you could want in a downtown LOFT. For more information on leasing, visit 83southmain.com. For questions about your next renovation project, just give me a call – we love saving old buildings and showing them love again.
The apartment renovation in downtown Harrisonburg is coming to completion. These downtown Harrisonburg apartments had seen some overwhelming neglect before our client purchased it. We did not find the damage until construction started, but I can honestly say, I have no idea why this building was still standing. Working with Bryan Nesselrodt Construction, we designed a solution to put this HUMPTY back together again.
We retained the historic character of the building by exposing the brick walls and refinishing the limited existing flooring that survived the structural repairs.
These units have all the modern amenities that have come to be expected in downtown living. From being right across the street from amazing restaurants to having full kitchen, baths, and laundry facilities in each unit, they are “just right” for young professionals.
Plus, if you’re in Harrisonburg on the First Friday of any month, come by the Gaines Group office for a tour of The Depot and see more downtown Harrisonburg apartments and projects!
It is always interesting working in older buildings
It is always interesting working in older buildings. Older buildings always have unique discoveries and untold stories that create the solutions that exist today. From handrails to mailboxes from days of old, these buildings have more character than we find in most new construction. They also have hidden surprises that can delay construction or add to the cost of construction.
An acoustic ceiling and open rail stair tells stories of transformation over time. The old was actually preserved behind a new covering protecting it from damage.
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The signs in this building tells more about what happened than any of the architectural details. There must have been many exciting events over the years in these hallways. Fortunately the building survived all the parties, late nights, loud neighbors, and even a fire to come back to life again.
The damage was severe and we found even more surprises during construction. It was a true challenge to save this downtown gem and bring it back to life. The new apartments are full of light and life. This kind of downtown transformation is changing our city one brick at a time for the better.
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