In addition, a new 1,000-square-foot roof deck was provided to create a private and secure outdoor space with stair and elevator access. Because of the steep slope of the roof, new steel beams were used to span the entire depth of the building, relieving the insufficient structural capacity of the columns and footings by transferring the loads to the exterior walls. New rooftop units were supported in the same way.
Exterior masonry walls were cleaned and left exposed. Windows facing the alley to the north that had been bricked up were reglazed. New windows were provided where possible to increase natural light, and new access points to the alley and shared loading dock were provided.
The basement was repurposed for building amenities, including a fitness room. New toilet rooms and HVAC systems were provided throughout, completing the core and shell renovation of the building.
Interior Design
The design and build-out of the interior spaces were specific to the desires and needs of the owners and their corporate identity. Per Mike Shively, in loft buildings of this type, there is a lot of clutter from the exposed sprinklers, ductwork, conduit, raw brick, etc. But, as much as possible, there was a desire to expose and showcase what was original to the building. The grit and character appealed to the owners yet required the use of a tight palette of materials.
Because of fire-rating requirements, the ceiling decking was covered in drywall while the columns and beams were left exposed. This served the dual purpose of highlighting the best of the building’s character while softening much of the visual clutter.
In terms of planning, many of the private offices were placed in the center with perimeter spaces used as casual conference spaces with glass walls allowing light into the center and sliding translucent-glass doors providing privacy or openness as needed at any moment. Although the building was designed and first occupied pre-COVID-19, the building has been able to follow state, city and CDC guidelines. While many of the tenants and employees have chosen to work remotely, the variety of workspaces has allowed for proper distancing and flexibility, especially important as more people choose to return to work in the office. The upgraded, light-filled, central stair has allowed people to avoid the elevator and walk between floors.
Upholstered furnishings, exposed wood accents and walnut cabinetry were used to offset the hardness of the brick, steel and wood structure, as well as tie the interior design into the character of the historic structure. Huddle booths were provided with wood ceilings to maintain a more personal scale, but a circle was cut into the ceilings so hanging lights could slip through from the structure above and provide daylighting to those spaces.
The new industrial clerestory was used to further bring light into the space and an interior communicating stair ties together multiple levels in a more informal way. Linear sound baffles attached to the ceiling help acoustically while bringing pattern and shadow into the mix.
Embracing the Roughness
Renovating a historic pre-fire industrial building back to its former glory and providing a high-end interior for an investment banking firm may sound like contradictory goals. But, by always keeping both goals in mind and assembling a team of architects, interior designers and contractors with a client wanting something unique, both goals were achieved.
The interaction between the use of materials, like plate steel that penetrates multiple aspects of the design and utilizing the structure as a feature to be celebrated, not hidden, allowed for a high-end corporate office space to be blended with the rough and tumble origins of a former steel-pipe manufacturing facility.
PHOTOS: Mike Schwartz Photography
Retrofit Team
OWNERS: Promus Holdings LLC and RDG Funds LLC
ARCHITECT, CORE AND SHELL: Hirsch MPG LLC
- David Genc, AIA, design principal
ARCHITECT, INTERIORS: Mike Shively Architecture
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Summit Design + Build
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Kibler-AE
MEP-FP ENGINEER: The Engineering Studio Inc.
CIVIL ENGINEER: Eriksson Engineering Associates LLC
PERMIT CONSULTANT: Cornerstone Permit Co.
Materials
CUSTOM WALNUT MILLWORK: Landsor Inc.
HUDDLE BOOTHS’ LIGHTING: Tech Lighting
CUSTOM STEEL AND GLASS DOORS: Summit Design + Build
FURNITURE: Corporate Concepts
BENCHES: Davis
ACOUSTICAL CEILING BAFFLES: TURF
CARPET TILES: Interface
CUSTOM STEEL CANOPY: GCS Steel Installers, (773) 823-1236
ROOF DECKING: Versadeck
FIBER CEMENT PANELS: Nichiha
TPO ROOF: Firestone Building Products
ALUMINUM WINDOWS AND STOREFRONT: PittCo Architectural Metals Inc.
FIRE-RATED GLASS AND FRAMING: Technical Glass Products
SKYLIGHTS: Skyline
ELEVATOR: Kone