It is always interesting working in older buildings

Jan 27, 2016

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.

harrisonburg architecture downtown harrisonburg architecture downtown

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.

harrisonburg architecture downtown\

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.

harrisonburg architecture downtown harrisonburg architecture downtown harrisonburg architecture downtown

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.

Here is a look at the finished project.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Related Posts

Emotional Cues and Intense Listening Deliver a Truly Custom Home

Emotional Cues and Intense Listening Deliver a Truly Custom Home

I know that the most successful custom home designs don’t start with a sketch. They start with an open ...
The “Starter Home” is Dead But a New American Dream Will Rise

The “Starter Home” is Dead But a New American Dream Will Rise

We have all heard the “American Dream” of a white-picket-fenced yard surrounding our 1,600 sf brick 3 bedroom 2 ...
Architectural Site Visit: Importance in Design Phase

Architectural Site Visit: Importance in Design Phase

We traveled all over Virginia and West Virginia in 2025 checking out building sites, offering input on project ...
Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025!

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025!

Happy New Year! Before we jump into 2026, enjoy a quick recap of our top 10 blog posts of 2025! We are thrilled to ...
No results found.

Discover more from The Gaines Group Architects

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading