Historical February–March 2009 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
A long-neglected commercial building on the northeast corner of Delmar and Skinker will get new life with a grand renovation planned by new owner Washington University. Recently, architect Andy Trivers and Washington University representatives Cheryl Adelstein, Rose Windmiller and Art Ackermann, made a presentation to the Delmar Commercial Committee regarding their plans to renovate the building, which is located at 6193 Delmar building.
The design for the exterior of the building, while fulfilling historic restoration requirements, also adds an exciting element – wind turbines, which will supply approximately half of the building’s electrical needs for the sixteen apartments intended for students and faculty. Interesting comments from The City’s Cultural Resources staff made included the following interesting comments: The building will be rehabilitated using the Secretary of the Interior Standards, as a Historic Tax Credit project.
The installation of aluminum wind turbines on the roof will be the only deviation.
While metal is not specifically addressed in the standards for the local district, historically, building cornices and roof-top appendages such as water towers, penthouses and antennae were comprised of a variety of metals.
The installation will be completely reversible without permanent damage to the historic building, and therefore could be considered an accessory. At the staff’s suggestion, the turbines have been extended at each corner to reflect the architectural bays of the building and to emphasize the suggestion of an overscaled decorative cornice. Andy Trivers, the architect for the project, noted that the movement of the wind turbines will echo the vibrancy of the Loop. Jo Ann Vatcha, Chairman of the Delmar Commercial Committee, observed that the committee was excited about the project’s environmental innovations and the potential for the project to expand the community’s vision of what a historic neighborhood can do with its existing commercial buildings. Katie Kurtz, Chairman of the SDCC Historic District Review Committee, pointed out the LED lighting proposed to highlight the building’s facade in the evening will be an “entertaining addition to the night scene.” A plan to demolish the small rear building to allow for additional parking was denied by the city’s Preservation Commission, following a suggestion made by the SDCC Historic District Review Committee.
The seven first floor commercial spaces will be renovated and leased to new commercial tenants by Joe Edwards, working with Washington University.
With its proximity to the beautiful new Moonrise Hotel, which will open later this spring, the renovated “Corner Building” will be an exciting addition to this transformed part of our own the own East Loop area.
Original photograph caption
Corner Building renovation rendering.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2009.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Source ending our own the own East Loop area is duplicated wording; retained as printed.
Original source: SD_Times2009_02.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
