CHRISTMAN-CASCADE BUILDING, Greensboro, N.C.
RETROFIT TEAM
ARCHITECT OF RECORD: Tise-Kiester Architects P.A.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Bennett Preservation Engineering PC
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS: Kuseybi Engineering PLLC, (336) 339-3660, and Consultant Engineering Service Inc.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER: Dan Campbell Engineering P.A., (336) 370-4980
CIVIL ENGINEER: Borum, Wade and Associates P.A.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER: The Christman Company
MATERIALS
With a desire to completely change the function of a historic building to a modern construction office space while maintaining the inherent charm and character of the building, The Christman Company enlisted the help of multiple trades for the retrofit of Cascade Saloon.
First, the entire brick structure had to be reinforced for restoration; then extensive updates began. A historic painting replication company updated the exterior to match images from the late 1800s. A historic window replication vendor managed the new windows and doors. The project included particular attention to authenticity to honor the history while providing modern materials to help the site flourish for another 130 years.
New carpet and resilient flooring, electrical, HVAC, trim, hardware, metal framing, drywall, concrete, paving, elevators, fire protection, waterproofing, deep foundations, plumbing, roofing and more were installed to bring the project to life.
The following is a sampling of materials used in the project:
WINDOWS: Marvin
FLOORING: Shaw Floors
INTERIOR LIGHTING: Luminis and Finelite
FURNITURE: Sam Rouse Furniture
THE RETROFIT
A building once labeled “unsalvageable” and considered for demolition despite its historic status now is a modern and functional office space with a nod to its start as a local watering hole.
Constructed in 1895, the Cascade Saloon was home to a string of bars, businesses and storefronts—including a Black-owned café during the Jim Crow era—until a newspaper there ceased printing in 1980. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 but sat vacant, falling into disrepair. In 2017, construction management and real-estate development firm The Christman Company chose the Cascade Saloon building to become home to its regional offices.
With the help of the city of Greensboro, state and federal grants, and other local and regional partners, Christman renovated the 3-story building. The activity spurred and furthered new development in the south end of downtown Greensboro, helping it catch the redevelopment that started in the early 2000s on the north end of downtown.
The development team likened the project to building a ship in a bottle; carefully choreographed movement in tight quarters was necessary. Some of the challenges included operating between two busy railroad tracks adjacent to the site, stabilization of the historic masonry structure, working with extremely limited space for construction materials and deliveries, and replication of the historic exterior cornice.
Inside the building, Christman leaned on established design guidelines for its regional offices that promote consideration of the company’s identity while providing a collaborative and safe work environment that is adaptable and comfortable. From air quality, ergonomics, lighting and noise management to sustainable design, historic preservation, technology and branding, no detail was overlooked in providing a lovely, refurbished space that pays homage to the building’s varied and storied history.