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LEDIC plans on building 146 apartments using the five historic masonry structures that make up the gin shop. The project takes up about 15 acres of the site. LEDIC is calling the property The Mill. The inset on this illustration shows a view from the water.(Photo: Staff Illustration)

PRATTVILLE The gin shop buildings tower over downtown physically and psychologically, and arethe reason Prattville exists.

Those buildings have always been there, said Paula Martin, on a recent afternoon watching her grandchildren scamper around the Heritage Park Fountain. The park, at Main and Court streets, offers chamber of commerce views of the buildings. I was born and raised here. Both my grandfathers worked at the gin shop. I cant imagine Prattville without the gin shop.

Daniel Pratt founded the city that bears his name in 1839. But even before then work was going on. Pratt picked the fall line of Autauga Creek to power his industrial empire. He started making cotton gins, then he built a spinning plant. Soon a sash and door mill was humming, along with a foundry and lumber yard. Pratt, born in Temple, N.H., had built sprawling manufacturing complex in the Deep South.

Fast-forward 181 years to today and those historic buildings are Prattvilles iconic landmark. Generations of families worked there when Prattville was a sleepy little farm town.

In the past several decades the buildings fell intodisrepair after manufacturing stopped there in 2008 as the work went overseas. Continental Eagle, the company that has its roots in Pratts gin shop, closed the buildings in 2011.

What would happen to the structures concerned local history buffs and residents alike.

An artist's rendering shows the outside layout of future gin shop apartments.(Photo: Contributed)

The gin shop has a new life on the horizon, thanks to preservationists and good old American capitalism. A $37 million project will rehab the five historic masonry structures to make way for 145 loft style apartments.

Phase I of The Millproject is scheduled to begin by Sept. 30, and willaddress the site being in a floodway with the construction of a levee, site cleanupand weatherizing the existing buildings for added protection during the construction phases. Weather permitting, Phase I should take about six months, and construction of the apartments will immediately follow.

"The site plans for The Millhave not changed since we started this project, and is still slated to be 145 high-end apartment units that reflect the site's history, said said Kea Calame, senior vice president of Envolve Communities, said in an earlier interview. Envolve was formerly LEDIC Realty. As stated in the beginning, there is no retail space in our plans, as we firmly believe this project should be an extension of downtown that encourages residents to shop and visit the already established retailers."

The Historic Prattville Redevelopment Authority bought the complex for about $1.7 million on Dec. 18, 2014, in a mortgage foreclosure sale on the grounds of the Autauga County Courthouse. A crowd of about 250 broke into applause and cheers as the sale was closed.

Imagine that, cheers at a mortgage sale. But this is Prattville, and they love their history.

HPRA saved the gin shop! then-Sheriff Herbie Johnson shouted from atop the steps. Johnson is a child of the gin shop. His father Woodrow worked there, and he spent some time on the floor as well running the machines.

No one could have guessed then that it would take six years to get any type of project at the site off the ground. Other companies looked, but Envolve made the decision and investment.

The view of the dam from the old Daniel Pratt Gin Shop in Prattville, Ala., on Thursday August 31, 2017.(Photo: Mickey Welsh / Advertiser)

There was sea of red tape to negotiate from state and federal alphabet soup agencies. There were tax credits to acquire, and then re-acquire due to delays beyond the control of all participants.

The delays have led to a feeling among some residents of resignation.

"Every year or so we here the work is going to start, the work is going to start, Ronnie Tolliver, another Prattville native said. And every year, nothing. No movement over across the creek. I hope this is the real thing, but Ill believe it when I see it.

Materials have been delivered to the site to cover the crumbling roofs of the buildings, think massive rolls of very thick plastic garbage bag material.

Mayor Bill Gillespie Jr. understands the show me perception among some.

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Im like everybody else, I want to see work done on the site, he said. That work will be starting soon. Im very excited for what the future holds.

Officials expect the apartments to be a shot in the arm for an already thriving downtown. Several businesses moved into buildings downtown years ago when news of the apartments first surfaced.

I think you are going to see an economic boom downtown once the apartments are completed and people move in, Gillespie said. Those buildings are the reason we are here. Its going to be great to have them contributing to the life and economy of Prattville once again.

Trees grow on the eaves of the old Prattville gin shop in Prattville, Ala., on Wednesday August 19, 2020. (Photo: Mickey Welsh / Advertiser)

The gin shop has served as a backdrop for Prattville events. The tract covers about 40 acres, including the mill pond and dam. But its the view from Court Street thats the go to shot. From there you can see most of the buildings and the mill pond dam.

It has served as a setting for countless prom shots and senior portraits. Wedding and engagement photo sessions are common. Theres not a local politician who hasnt used that scene in campaign literature.

Each one of the buildings is unique,Calamesaid in an earlier interview. There really is nothing else like this out there. No two apartments will really be the same. We are going to incorporate the original design and construction methods of each building in our repurposing effort.

Trees grow on the eaves of the old Prattville gin shop in Prattville, Ala., on Wednesday August 19, 2020. (Photo: Mickey Welsh / Advertiser)

That means windows galore, exposed brick walls, and spotlighting the massive beams and columns that support the buildings. The apartments will be of an open design, to make the best use of those features, she said.

The most prominent building visiblefrom the park or Court Street view is the one just across the creek, where Pratt had a corner office. Up there on the roof you cant miss it, a pine tree grows from the gutter three stories up. The tree seems both out of place and at home at the same time.

I hope they can save the tree, said Matt King. Ive gotten used to it being there. I dont know, its a tough tree, growing up there like that.

The old Daniel Pratt Gin Shop in Prattville, Ala., on Thursday August 31, 2017, is shown with an artists rendering of renovations planned for it.(Photo: Mickey Welsh / Advertiser)

The tree has become a symbol of the effort to save the gin shop, said Tom Newton, chairman of HPRA.

We are going to do our best to save that tree and replant it in a place of honor on the property, Newton said. Any time when we had a set back, a delay in this project, I thought about that tree. How it has grown, how it held on. Its a tree in a gutter, man. It deserves to be saved.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

Read or Share this story: https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2020/08/28/looks-like-renovation-prattvilles-historic-gin-shop-begin/5604196002/

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Finally, it looks like renovation of Prattville's historic gin shop will begin - Montgomery Advertiser

Earlier this year, global construction consultancy firm Linesight opened a new Dallas office. Now, the Dublin-headquartered company is further progressing its presence in the Central U.S. with 1.3 million square feet of new projects that value more than $600 million.

According to Linesight, Dallas-Fort Worth is the second-busiest construction market and second highest data center leasing market in the country. The team is bullish on North Texas, the state, and the rest of the central regionthat rising market demand will allow Linesight to be an asset to developers in optimizing project timelines.

Linesight is seeing great growth in our project pipeline throughout Texas and the Central region, Darren Newell, Linesights Dallas program manager and associate of cost and project management, told Dallas Innovates. Particularly in the areas of long term, mission critical projects, commercial new builds, and TI renovations.

Linesight sees its new Dallas office as broadening the companys capabilities throughout the Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Nebraska. Linesight deploys globally developed project management techniques to provide cost and general consultancy services to the construction industry.

Clients are in a range of sectors: residential, commercial, data centers, life sciences, high-tech industrial, hospitality, healthcare, and retail. According to the company, its specialist project teams are able to improve project delivery time, cost efficiency, and value.

For instance, Linesight most recently provided its services for advisory, broking, and solutions company Willis Towers Watsonits largest project yet.

The three-floor renovation project in Dallas, which was completed ahead of schedule, involved combining three existing offices spaces into one in Ross Tower. The team worked with architectural firm Verderame & Cale and general contractor Balfour Beatty to modernize around 72,000 square feet of office space, including conference rooms, workspaces, and a three-story atrium.

Following the completion Willis Towers Watson, Linesight decided it was the right time to open its next office in Dallas, according to Executive Vice President Patrick Ryan. With construction demand growing in the Central U.S., having a dedicated office in the region gives us a clear understanding of the local issues facing the industry, he said.

According to Newell, technology played a major role in Linesights ability to complete the project early.

Designs, RFIs, and submittals were all done through a portal and punch lists were generated instantly via software.

Newell says this allowed for instant access, visibility, and transparency, along with quicker decision-making, valuable time saved, and no need for a report to be written and sent after the walkthrough.

Innovative tools used throughout the project, such as laser scanning equipment, measurement tools for offsite construction, and modern lifting equipment for the atrium, helped us speed up the manufacturing process and complete work within shortened timeframes, he says. The contractor also implemented technology for site inductions with videos and visual displays for site specific rules to ensure a safer site and to reduce risks.

Saving time on construction isnt an easy feat, but the company says its entire project team has the tools necessary to make the renovation a success.

Creating a new space on schedule for hundreds of employees represented many challenges, Justin Rehrer, the real estate manager for Willis Towers Watson, said. However, Linesights ability to understand our timeline, budget and vision has allowed for a smooth transition.

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Silver Olympic figures grace the black tile walls of Studio 2000. Lucky Lindy airplanes fly through storm clouds and lightning bolts in each corner. Arch windows overlook Monument Circle, and footprints are worn into the original terrazzo floors from decades of barbers standing in the same spots beside the chairs.

Its an unbelievably unique space in the building, said Adam Slutsky, an asset manager for Novel Coworking, the company that owns the space. Theres nothing else like it.

The details of the salon, including its black-and-gold color scheme, are characteristic of the 1930s architectural style Art Deco. The style, known for its simple, clean shapes, streamlined look, and stylized, geometric ornamentation, also had a fascination with modern machines like planes and boats.

The interior of the space that once housed Studio 2000 in the Circle Tower includes Art Deco details including Olympics-inspired figures and depictions of planes on walls and the studio's black tile walls.(Photo: Novel Coworking)

The salon operated as a mens barbershop from 1929 to 1989 until Studio 2000 owners Linda Williams and Mel Brandenburg acquired the space and reopened in December 1989.

Its operated in that form, passing from one hand to the next, until the present, Slutsky said.

In the 1920s, there was a glamor to downtown shopping, Indiana Historical Society archivist Jordan Ryan said.

It was an event, they said. It was an experience.

Art Deco, known for its glamour, was often used to decorate salons of ocean liners, trains and skyscrapers like Circle Tower. Salons and barber shops were also a part of the glamor of downtown shopping in Indianapolis. The 1920 Indianapolis City Directory lists more than 350 barber shops.

We dont know of any other space like this, any other Art Deco barber shop thats so complete and preserved.

Studio 2000, on Monument Circle, lived in one of the most complete original 1920s Art Deco barber shops left in the country. The spas interior has been hailed by historians as one of the best surviving examples of original Art Deco in the world. Located in the historic Circle Tower, the Studio 2000 space is one of the most recognizable and historic features of the entire building.

We dont know of any other space like this, any other Art Deco barber shop thats so complete and preserved, Slutsky said.

But after three decades on the Circle, Studio 2000 shuttered its doors Aug. 7.

After the coronavirus pandemic shut the salon down, its owners were left without an income. As companies moved to working from home, office towers and parking garages surrounding the salon remained empty. In a Facebook post announcing Studio 2000s closing, the salons owners said current social and economic conditions have cut their sales by more than half.

We cannot operate at a loss and keep our head above water during this downturn in retail business, the owners wrote.

In the Facebook post, the owners reflected on memories of weddings, fashion shows and charity fundraisers. They reminisced about watching clients grow up, get married and bring their own children to the salon. The owners said the salon closing was like losing a family member.

We had our season in the sun, the owners wrote. But it is time to say thank you everyone and goodbye.

As Studio 2000 shuts down, lovers of the space are left wondering what will happen next for this historic time capsule.

Based on its layout, Slutsky said it would make sense for another salon type business to move in, but he imagines the space would also work well for a number of other professional services and offices.Most importantly, he said he hopes whoever takes over the space will appreciate its beauty and historical significance.

The owners of Studio 2000 were such great stewards of this space and really had a love for this space, he said. Were committed to helping find someone like that who can continue the legacy of this space and be committed to preserving and enhancing that historical significance like Studio 2000 did.

Its really a public treasure for the city. And we want it to continue to operate in that way.

With the coronavirus pandemic still raging, Slutsky said it is difficult to say when the space will be filled once again but he hopes the company will find a new user in a few months.

With everything thats gone on with the pandemic, its a difficult time, he said. But were cautiously optimistic that as these dark clouds pass, that people will feel more comfortable coming back to work and to downtown.

Slutsky said it would also be ideal if the space remains open to the public in some way as it was while it was Studio 2000.

Its really a public treasure for the city, he said. And we want it to continue to operate in that way.

The Studio 2000 space was designed by the iconic architectural firm of Rubush & Hunter, who designed the rest of the Circle Tower. When they came together in 1905, Ryan said Rubush and Hunter were a dream team of architectural style chameleons, capable of designing in Renaissance Revival, Tudor Revival, Art Deco and more.

Art Deco details are shown inside the Market Street entrance of the Circle Tower building.(Photo: Bass Photo Co. Collection, Indiana Historical Society)

Rubush & Hunter designed many well-known downtown buildings, including the Hilbert Circle Theatre and the Madame C. J. Walker building. The duo designed more than 250 buildings in Indianapolis, the Midwest and Florida, but 100 have been demolished. Their remaining Art Deco projects in Indiana include the Coca-Cola Bottling Co., the Heslar Naval Armory and the Architect and Builders Building.

Sadly, weve lost a lot, Ryan said. Losing some of these buildings was a real tragedy.

While Indianapolis doesnt have as many Art Deco buildings as certifiable Art Deco cities such as Cincinnati, Miami and Chicago, Ryan said the style has still shaped Indianapolis architecture today.

Sadly, weve lost a lot. Losing some of these buildings was a real tragedy.

A departure from the elaborate ornateness of Victorian architecture, Art Decopreferred a simpler, more streamlined style with stylized, geometric patterns. The style was also associated with luxury and modernity and used expensive materials. As Art Deco replaced Victorian styles, in 1930, the Circle Tower replaced the ornate Victorian style Franklin building that came before it.

The building was constructed by William P. Jungclaus of the Jungclaus-Campbell company, one of the longest running construction companies in the country. The company still operates out of the same office on Massachusetts Avenue.

Ryan said the Circle Tower is arguably the best example of Art Deco in Indianapolis.

Clad in smooth Indiana limestone punctuated with Art Deco details, the tower boasts a two-story entrance of carved granite, limestone and bronze opening into a lobby decorated with black marble and bronze detailing in the Art Deco black-and-gold style.

The difference between old and new is striking, Slutsky said. Youd walk off the elevator and be transported back to 1928. The building is breathtaking from when you walk into the lobby.

The lobbys elevator includes aquatic scenes of bronze fish that Ryan said is influenced by the architects time in Miami and by the stylized representations of nature often found in Art Deco. Circle Tower is also known for its Egyptian motifs with Egyptian figures carved below the archway entrance and scattered throughout the buildings interior and exterior.

A historic photo shows the elevators in the lobby of the Circle Tower in 1930.(Photo: Bass Photo Co. Collection, Indiana Historical Society)

Ryan said the designs tell a story of the time. The Egyptian details come from a nationwide obsession with all things Egyptian following the discovery of King Tutankhamens tomb in 1922. In Studio 2000, the Lucky Lindy airplanes harken back to aviator Charles Lindberghs historic first solo, nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Many of the salon spaces details are also inspired by the Olympics that took place during the time.

You need the buildings and the places to have that visceral feeling of memory and shared history, Ryan said. Circle Tower is a really important structure in that sense.

Contact Pulliam Fellow Christine Fernando at cfernando@gannett.com.

Read or Share this story: https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/arts/2020/09/01/studio-2000-leaves-behind-iconic-art-deco-space-downtown-indianapolis/5618802002/

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Studio 2000 has closed. What will happen to the iconic Art Deco space it occupied? - IndyStar

By: Michael Young 6:30 am on August 30, 2020

Construction appears to have stalled at 128 East 28th Street, an eight-story, ten-unit building in NoMad. Not much progress has occurred since our last update in late December, when the reinforced concrete superstructure was nearing topping out, and work has yet to begin on the undulating metal and glass curtain wall. TRA Studiois the designer andSinha Development is the developer of the 80-foot-tall, 21,038-square-foot project.

New photographs show the metal faade clips attached to the edges of the floor slabs on the main northern elevation facing East 28th Street. The wooden formwork that was in place at the time of our last visit has been disassembled, and only the sidewalk scaffolding that covers the ground floor and second story remains. Its unclear when the envelope units will arrive on site and begin installation.

128 East 28th Street. Photo by Michael Young

128 East 28th Street. Photo by Michael Young

128 East 28th Street. Photo by Michael Young

The property will yield 17,300 square feet of residential space from the second through eighth floors. Each unit is set to average 1,734 square feet. A full-floor home will take up the sixth story with a duplex spanning the top two floors. The duplex is designed to be perched above the main setback, atop which will be where the private outdoor terraces will be located. The rear elevation has a simpler design that includes balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows. The ground floor and cellar levels will contain nearly 3,100 square feet of retail space.

The backside of 128 East 28th Street. Rendering by TRA Studio.

A formal completion date for 128 East 28th Street is unclear at the moment, though some time in 2021 is most likely.

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128 East 28th Street Awaits Faade Installation in NoMad - New York YIMBY

From Housing to Retail: Redefining Programs and Spatial Typologies

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With society's needs and aspirations shifting, spatial typologies and architectural programs are continually being questioned, and this re-evaluation creates the premises for innovation. The following is an exploration of how architecture is metabolizing society's fundamental changes throughout several aspects of everyday life, challenging the existing assumptions regarding program and space.

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For the past months, most architectural typologies have fallen under scrutiny, with the profession analyzing not only how these aspects can adapt to the pandemic in the immediate future, but also how they could embody prospective technological evolution and changes in lifestyles. Looking further down the line, past this health crisis, but still acknowledging it, this article features trends and projects that hint at the future of housing, retail, education and office spaces, highlighting the significant forthcoming changes to these programs.

In recent years, numerous collective housing projects have embraced the inclusion of shared amenities, shifting towards more community-oriented models. Moreover, sustainability and a move towards a collaborative economy are aspects informing the new spatial typologies of collective housing.

Based on modularity, flexibility, and shared services, Space 10's and EFFEKT's design, The Urban Village Project, is a response to the increasing social isolation and lack of affordable housing. What is striking about this project is that it takes the service-oriented ethos of contemporary society and transcribes it into a long-term housing model, with subscription-based amenities and (in theory) a reversible construction system.

Even before the health crisis, housing developments were increasingly becoming mixed-use schemes, creating autonomous parts within the urban fabric, with a strong focus on outdoor space. The current situation seems to have exacerbated these ideas, as shown by Vicente Guallart's proposal for a self-sufficient community in China. The design defines a new urban typology, informed by the experience of the pandemic, with a highly diverse program, as well as energy and food production systems, that turn the development into an almost self-sufficient environment.

The office space was already changing even before the health crisis hit, as the pendulum swing from cubicles to large open-plan spaces was facing some reconsideration, with studies showing the latter as having negative effects on mental health and productivity.

Co-working represents a departure from the common office typology, providing all the amenities of a traditional office, as well as the fertile ground for social interaction and networking. Selgascano's design for the Second Home Hollywood Office stands out as a unique co-working spatial model through the close intertwining of office space and nature. The small-scale pods benefiting from natural light and cross-ventilation, scattered within a garden-like space make for an innovative office typology, one robust enough to potentially function within the limits of a pandemic.

The future of the office has already been speculated at length, and there is a largely accepted belief that the flexibility of work might be here to stay, transforming the office into a collaborative hub, with the bulk of tasks carried out through remote work. Redefining the office might mean including it into mixed-use typologies, having multiple companies share the same space on rotation, and creating easily customizable spaces. Tapping into the latter is Stephan Hrlemann's flexible Dancing Office concept for Vitra, a system of partitions allowing for fast layout changes in open-plan office spaces.

With retail increasingly moving online (more so during the pandemic), brick and mortar retail spaces become more a question of experience, presence and consumer connection to the brand, as Nayan Parekh, principal at Gensler, points out in an interview for the Wall Street Journal.

With an emphasis on engagement, rather than transactions, experiential stores, like the House of Vans in London designed by Tim Greatrex, might become ubiquitous. An embodiment of the brand's culture, these new retail spaces need to account for an entertainment factor, giving customers a reason to access the physical store. As an example, the Harman Experience Store in Munich designed by Gensler, provides a social experience, through the possibility to host lectures, concerts, even car launches.

Large retail centres would also need to integrate within the leisure landscape, shifting towards a mixed-use typology, as is the case of OMA's Wollert Neighborhood Center. The project brings together retail and community spaces such as a public outdoor theatre, childcare and education facilities, creating what the practice calls a "social condenser".

For the past two decades, educational environments have shifted from being places for knowledge dissemination to spaces of collaboration. Communication, flexibility and connection with the outdoors have become essential aspects in designing new spatial typologies for schools and higher education buildings.

An extraordinary example of that is Tezuka Architects' Fuji Kindergarten. With an interior space that can be opened up to the outside for the majority of the year and an accessible roof as the main play space, the project encourages socialization and independence. On the same lines, but in the context of higher education, Diller Scofidio+Renfro's project for the Stanford Art & Art History Building has all major functions opening towards an outdoor space, while also allowing for outdoor teaching.

Community is essential when designing for learning, and while virtual access to knowledge continues to evolve, the experience of the place remains critical. Thus, the possibility to access higher education online will most likely not replace in-person learning, and post-pandemic education might see the coagulation of a hybrid between the two. The Columbia Business School, another project by Diller Scofidio+Renfro, currently under construction, is already prepared to host this educational model, through the digital technology and large projection walls integrated into the design of classrooms, as Charles Renfro explains in this Design Disruption episode.

These examples illustrate some of the trends informing the architectural typologies that accommodate most of our everyday lives, with hotels, museums, hospitals and many more still to reconsider. A challenge to rethink how we live, work, learn, shop and consume culture is always present, but the current crisis might be a catalyst for innovation in typology and program.

This article is part of the ArchDaily Topic: How Will We Live Together. Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and projects. Learn more about our monthly topics here. As always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.

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From Housing to Retail: Redefining Programs and Spatial Typologies - ArchDaily

Walking up 15 stories can take some time. Thats why McShane Construction Co., when working on a recent transformation of a 15-story former office building in Clearwaterinto luxury apartments, had a strategy to make it more efficient.

Just the simple travel time of walking up 15 flights of stairs can take you 15 minutes going up and 15 minutes going down, says McShane Construction Co. Senior Project Manager Derek Lewis. In the grand scheme of a day, you can lose an hour just traveling between floors.

To save time, finish trades started on the top floor and went down, with materials flowing the same way. As youre bringing trash out of the building, youre jumping things down to the floor below, he says. Once youre done on the floor, theres not a reason to go back. It makes things run a lot more smoothly if you can keep from backtracking.

Courtesy. McShane Construction Co. added exterior walls, window systems, unit walls and corridor walls.

That sense of efficiency was top of mind for McShane as it led construction work on the project, dubbed 1100 Apex. The project by GSP Development involved converting a tower built as an office building in 1972 into apartments. The project wasnt without its challenges, including finding enough workers to get the job done.

McShane, based in Rosemont, Ill., has satellite offices, including one in Auburn, Ala., that handles the majority of the companys Southeastern work. McShane got involved with the project in late 2017 before construction started in early 2018. The firm was tasked with finding some savings in construction. We tried to do as much due diligence as possible, says Lewis. We found a few items where we could save.

McShane provided a value-engineering log with options to the developer. Cost savings pitched included buying prefabricated granite countertops from overseas instead of cutting them on site and using alternatives to high-end porcelain tile. The company, in a statement, says savings amounted to over $2.6 million.

Lewis, who declines to disclose the cost of the project, says savings also come from using a tower thats already in place versus building a 15-story structure from the ground up.

In 2005 and 2006, before the economic downtown, another company tried to revamp the building. Lewis says it gutted the structure and built a two-story parking garage before the project ground to a halt.

The first thing we had to do when we showed up was make sure everything was safe, says Lewis. The site had become a safe haven for homeless people living in the garage and tower. McShane made sure a no-trespassing order and guardrails were in place before starting work.

When we got involved, it was pretty much a concrete shell, he says. The building, exposed to the elements from about 2006 to 2018, had taken a beating and needed some concrete reinforcing.

One big thing that we struggled with was the building code, says Lewis. Since the tower was constructed in the 1970s, the building code had changed a lot. McShane worked with fire and building departments to determine what had to be done.

It didnt seem there was enough skilled labor to take care of it. Keeping guys on the job on a daily basis was a very difficult task. Derek Lewis, McShane Construction Co.

The projects architect, Tampa-based Kimmich Smith Architecture, reconfigured floor plans for residential use, working around columns placed sporadically throughout each floor. McShane added exterior walls, window systems, unit walls and corridor walls.

There were six superintendents on the project plus Lewis as senior project manager. With a project the scale of 1100 Apex, scores of other workers were needed, too. Staffing for those needs proved to be another challenge.

With many in-progress developments in the area, competition for workers was fierce. It didnt seem there was enough skilled labor to take care of it, says Lewis. Keeping guys on the job on a daily basis was a very difficult task.

Projects down the street would offer workers a raise of 10 to 15 cents an hour, and theyd leave the McShane project and take that job. The hardest workers to find were in waterproofing, painting and framing along with drywall hanging and finishing. Tampa is hot, says Lewis. Theres so much going on there, it makes sense.

To solve the problem, McShane sought help from its subcontractors. What we ended up doing was relying on relationships with local contractors, he says. Workers were pulled from other jobs in Florida and elsewhere in the Southeast. You can get into a bidding war with labor, and it will just keep going and going. Luckily, we did have those relationships in the region that were able to help.

The now-complete project has 134 units, with 111 in the tower and 23 in surrounding townhomes. Theres also a 201-space parking garage and two ground-floor retail spaces.

Lewis says he expects to see more projects like 1100 Apex in coming years. With more urban development and limited land, prime property thats sitting around could become more attractive. Plus, with the pandemic leading some companies to abandon office space, more office buildings could become ripe for residential redevelopment. He says, Were seeing a shift out of the office climate, and I think theres going to be a lot more of this adaptive reuse.

Read more from the original source:
Project transforms '70s-era office building into luxury apartments - Business Observer

Charlotte, NC LaConcha Hotel is a member of the Crowne Plaza family of Hotels. As such, they maintain a 4-star rating consistently. On arrival, we proceeded to the front desk and were greeted immediately. There were plenty of signs asking everyone to please wear a face mask and compliance was excellent during our visit. We were informed that about 50% of the hotel was blocked off for remodeling. This hotel has 2room sections on opposite sides of the reception area. One is a 9 story set of rooms, and that is where the remodeling was taking place. We were given rooms on the opposite side, in a 4 story section. We were informed of the restaurant and the retail store was closed because of Coronas limitations.

Rooms; We selected a 1 queen room with a courtyard view. Our room was large and comfortable. The hotel had instituted new cleanliness protocols prior to our arrival. One of those protocols stated that no employees would enter our room for any reason during our stay. That was most interesting, as there was no daily housekeeping. If you wanted clean linens, you called down to the front desk. The towels were left in a sealed bag, at your room door. There were extra bath supplies, so we never had a problem during our 4-night stay. The entire hotel was very quiet during our stay, and we really enjoyed the extra solitude. There was an outdoor pool on a second-floor rooftop that we enjoyed several times during our stay.

City of Key West; Normally a bustling tourist city year-round, we found most areas were open for business, with very few crowds. All restaurants, with a few exceptions, were open under reduced capacity. That actually turned out to be a benefit for us, as we were never crowded. The beaches were also thinly populated. We found some of the snack locations and some beachside retail shops were closed, but those were an exception rather than a rule. Every time we have visited, the line for photos at the Key West Monument was enormous.

Join us next week for more on Where in the World is Phil- August 2020, Part 6

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Where in the World is Phil- August 2020, Part 5 - Mint Hill Times

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Man and woman thinking about housing

Q: What remodeling projects or improvements add the most value to a home?

A: There are two ways to look at this question. Is the remodeling for yourself and your enjoyment or for resale? Of course, the kitchen is the heart of the home, and a beautiful kitchen remodel will always stand out to buyers.

We recently saw a home in Walnut Creek that was almost eighty years old attract seventeen offers, because it had a beautiful, spacious and contemporary kitchen with all the bells and whistles. If you are going to put that extra pizazz into something, the kitchen is the place to do so.

If you are remodeling strictly for resale, spreading your remodeling dollars among the kitchen and bathrooms would be ideal. What you dont want to do is install that dream putting green in the backyard and leave the kitchen andbaths in their original condition.

Its funny, but even if people dont cook, they love those gleaming stainless steel appliances.

Dave Smith, Dudum Real Estate Group, 415-298-7851, davesmith@dudum.com.

A: Tastes have shifted during the pandemic and more buyers want a home in near-perfect condition. Buyers will pay top dollar for a home that they can just move into, without looming repairs, so comprehensive inspection reports are imperative. If repairs are needed, such as a new roof or a substandard electrical panel, then they should be made right.

Painting and floor refinishing are the cheapest and most obvious improvements. If the floors have already been freshly carpeted, at least provide the buyers with a quote for installing hardwood.

A complete kitchen renovation is too expensive. New quartz stone counters, sinks, faucets and light fixtures will transform the kitchen, the most significant room in the house. New cabinets are too costly, but existing cabinets should be painted.

Bathrooms should be updated too, but not completely renovated. Vanities, sinks and faucets can be changed inexpensively. Old bathtubs should be epoxied and shower enclosures removed.

John Solaegui, Compass, 415-999-0673, john@havengroupsf.com.

A: When it comes to adding immediate value to a home, dropping in a modular ADU (accessory dwelling unit) or in-law unit instantly adds livable square footage for a fraction of the traditional costs of construction.

If the additional 500 to 800 square feet youve just added to your home only cost $300/ft, but is valued closer to $850 per square foot (or whatever your neighborhood commands in terms of price per square foot), youve done quite well on the return.

In todays pandemic marketplace, buyers are looking for more space than ever before. Whether its for transitioning to a work from home model, or having the extra space to host in-laws or homeschool, additional indoor and outdoor space is in demand. Bocce court, anyone?

For smaller projects, I place a very high return on investment on exterior paint and landscaping. Curb appeal has never mattered more in a world with Instagram and Pinterest. I also recommend replacing dating countertops and painting over dated cabinetry. A simple drawer pull from Restoration Hardware is the perfect way to get the resale value of a remodeled kitchen for a fraction of the price.

C.J. Nakagawa, Golden Gate Sothebys International Realty 415-407-2151, sf2marin@gmail.com.

Original post:
Sound Off: What remodeling projects or improvements add the most value to a home? - MSN Money

Aberdeen Police have temporarily shifted operations to a new location downtown, directly across the street from Town Hall on Poplar Street. The move will allow construction to begin on the new police facility planned on U.S. 1.

We were fully functional at the new (temporary) building late Thursday, said Aberdeen Police Chief Carl Colasacco. This move would not have come together without the men and women of the Aberdeen Police Department. They went above and beyond to get this done.

The historic building at 124 N. Poplar St. will house most of the departments primary services, under a temporary lease, including administrative staff, and its investigative and patrol divisions; however, an off-site facility was required for evidence storage. In addition, Aberdeen has coordinated with the Moore County Sheriffs Office for additional interview space if needed.

Aberdeen Police will use off-street parking in the downtown area, and Colasacco said he has spoken to neighboring business owners about the temporary building use.

The space is tight, but it will work out, he said.

As always, in an emergency dial 911. For all non-emergency calls requiring police assistance from an Aberdeen police officer, you may also dial 911. For administrative requests, call Aberdeen Police at (910) 944-9721, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Groundbreaking is expected to commence soon on the new police headquarters building at 804 N. Sandhills Blvd. Plans call for remodeling the existing 5,230 square foot police building for support use including locker and shower rooms, and a fitness room. A short enclosed walkway will connect to a new almost 13,000 square foot new building that will house all the conventional police operations, including a detention area, evidence room, interview rooms, and offices.

In February, the Aberdeen Town Board approved an agreement for a 20-year, $5.8 million loan from First Bank to pay for the expansion and renovation project.

Discussion about updating the police facility began several years ago. The current structure was built in 1992, to serve what was then a much smaller town. Almost 30 years later, the department has twice as many officers and basically no storage, no communications area, no place for a traffic enforcement office or conference room, nor a garage or evidence room. Parking is also limited.

Outgoing Deputy Chief Todd Weaver (black shirt) is flanked by, from left, Aberdeen Police Chief Carl Colasacco, State Rep. Jamie Boles, and Aberdeen Mayor Robbie Farrell. Contributed photo

Town leaders hired architect John Heckethorn to perform a needs-based assessment study in 2017. He recommended repurposing the existing police station and adding a second, larger building on an adjacent piece of property.

A modified design plan was approved last year. The projects low bid was received from Apex-based Racanelli Construction South, with a base bid of $4,899,000. Additional project costs include fixtures, equipment and furnishings that are anticipated to run $480,000; and the town also set aside $384,000 for architectural fees.

Also last week, Aberdeen Police honored outgoing Deputy Chief Todd Weaver upon his retirement. He served the town for 21 years and was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by State Rep. Jamie Boles for his 30 years total in government service.

Read the original:
Aberdeen Police Move to Temporary Headquarters | News - Southern Pines Pilot

For Sale/Rent

Take your pick between watching a movie on the retractable smart TV or gazing at the water through the windows.

Photo by BostonRep

24 Lee St. #C4, MarbleheadPrice: $619,000Size: 612 square feetBedrooms: 1Baths: 1

Care to live in a breezy harborfront home in a historical district on the North Shore? Then schedule a showing for this sweet one-bedroom condo in Marbleheads Old Town neighborhood. Over the past 10-plus years, the past and present owners have updated the one-bedroom pad with a slew of renovations, including a remodeled kitchen and all-marble bathroom, fresh coats of paint, and the installation of bamboo floors. One of the cleverest projects is less obvious: A retractable smart TV, already hooked up with a top-notch sound system, lowers from the ceiling above the dining room table at the push of a button.

The sailboat-filled views of the water through the living room windows put the proximity of the ocean into perspective, and if you sidle over to the roofed deck, you can improve the lookout even more. When wintry weather rolls in, convert the 72-square-foot terrace into a sheltered den by firing up the wood-burning fireplace inside and rolling down the plastic screen that seals off the water-facing wall.

For information, contact Elizabeth Walters, Coldwell Banker Realty, coldwellbankerhomes.com.

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

Photo by BostonRep

The Boston Home team has curated a list of the best home design and home remodeling professionals in Boston, including architects, builders, kitchen and bath experts, lighting designers, and more. Get the help you need with FindIt/Boston's guide to home renovation pros.

More:
On the Market: A Modern Harborside Home in Old Town Marblehead - Boston magazine