Rebirth of a Building

Built in 1878, the five-story brick structure had lain vacant for almost two years, accumulating a layer of grit and the aged, watery scent that signals a building's imminent death. Cobwebs clung to the 12-foot ceilings. Snaps and creaks sounded underfoot from the buckling wood floors. Silence pressed against cracked and broken windows.

The company leaders looked at each other. Simultaneously, they spoke: "Sold!" And the work began.

A list of proposed improvements developed swiftly and with good reason. Over a century of aging and eclectic tenants had taken their toll. A tin shop had called the building home during its life, as had a confectioner, two restaurants, a clothing manufacturer, a dance school, a photography studio and a cable television company. The effects of a 1928 remodel had faded from sight. Even though the first floor was built out and carpeted, the remaining four floors were vast and unfinished, with uncared-for wood floors and bare-bones amenities.

Chosen for their functional beauty, a striking array of American Standard faucets and sinks complement the building's kitchen and entertaining areas, as well as all restrooms.

A great deal of money was needed to renovate the 7,823-square-foot structure. Financial support came from the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority; the U.S. Small Business Association via Heritage Bank of Willmar, Minn.; the Lowertown Redevelopment Corporation; the City of St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority; and private investors.

After gaining financial footing for the project, HomeStyles' high expectations for the finished product began to take tangible shape. They demolished the existing interior walls and rebuilt them. They punched a hole through the third- and fourth-floor ceilings and created an atrium through which a metal staircase grew. They installed new fire-rated stairs, new electrical and high-density data lines. The heating/ventilation/air conditioning systems were upgraded; new lighting was installed. Six new bathrooms went in. At press time, a new passenger elevator was being installed.

A wall of oak French doors, donated by Premdor, envelop an upper-floor conference room in professional warmth.

With building- and fire-code issues covered, it was time to address interior aesthetics. The hardwood floors were refinished, revealing-to the surprise of many-a rich, blond glow. More needed to be done, however, to transform the building's interior into a livable, workable space for the home-plan publisher's 70+ employees.

This transformation came about, in part, with support from product manufacturers like American Standard, Premdor and Whirlpool Home Appliances. In the fourth-floor kitchen and all bathrooms, American Standard supplied sinks, faucets and lavatories that nicely complement their rough-hewn surroundings. Whirlpool also accented the kitchen with two dishwashers, a range, a refrigerator/freezer and three microwaves.

In response to HomeStyles' privacy needs, Premdor came through with solid-core birch doors on the bathrooms, plus a stunning wall of oak French doors to enclose the company's conference room. Other offices, meeting rooms and the blueprint archive/fulfillment center also display the oak French doors.

The sun-splashed, open kitchen is equipped with appliances by Whirlpool, for modern convenience and reliability.

As its interior beauty emerges, the building's exterior awaits restoration. Its brick cladding blends with the surrounding edifices-brick and mill-type warehouses that comprise St. Paul's Lowertown neighborhood.

To recognize and preserve the building's rich history, HomeStyles and the Heritage Preservation Commission will renovate the facade, rather than replace it. The brick will remain untouched. The steel-frame tilt-out windows and glass-block windows will be repaired. The fixed glass that fronts the building will also be replaced pane by pane.

In time, the building's countenance will present a warmly weathered face, rather than a time-ravaged and weary one. Its beauty emerges week by week; soon, its rebirth will be complete.

Birth Boosters The rebirth of a building was made possible through the cooperation and contributions from the following:
The Home Company
HomeStyles Publishing and Marketing Inc.
LifeStyle HomeDesign
Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Small Business Association,
  via Heritage Bank of Willmar, Minn.
Lowertown Redevelopment Corporation
City of St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Private investors

Sources:
Commercial Real Estate Appraisal, Metron, Inc.
American Standard, Inc.
Premdor, Inc.
Whirlpool Corporation

Photography by Mark Englund/HomeStyles.