June 2012: New Projects Portfolio

Phoenix-area adaptive reuse project is latest in hospitality partnership

The Phoenix office of architecture firm Shepley Bulfinch and Upward Projects, a group of local restaurateurs, have partnered to create Postino East, a new dining spot in Gilbert, Ariz., and the third in a line of local Postino WineCafe restaurants. The hospitality project involved renovation of 2,700 sf in the southern end of the former GrainBelt Building. It is the second collaboration between Shepley Bulfinch and Upward Projects. The restaurant’s design aims to blur boundaries between the indoors and outdoors, with a signature interior-exterior bar to draw in customers and a wraparound patio. Postino East opened in March.

[pagebreak]

New apartment complex caters to urban residents in Denver suburb

The new three-story Arista Uptown Apartments complex is designed for residents looking for urban, hotel-style living spaces in Broomfield, Colo., situated conveniently between the cities of Denver and Boulder. Designed by KTGY Group and developed by Smith/Jones Partners LLC, the residential community sits on 6.68 acres in the city’s Arista neighborhood. A variety of units, from studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments, are offered, along with a 4,442-sf clubhouse and fitness center and an 11,000-sf courtyard complete with outdoor pool and spa. The first of eight buildings has been completed, and units are scheduled to open in mid-summer.

[pagebreak]

Indianapolis office building becomes 21st-century learning environment

A 13,325-sf office building in Indianapolis is being leased by the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township to support Pike Preparatory Academy and Pacers Academy High School, the district’s alternative education programs for middle and high school students. Fanning Howey provided design services for the $1.6 adaptive reuse project, replacing rows of cubicles with classrooms, a student lounge, and administrative spaces. The project, completed within 10 months, uses exposed ductwork, undulating metal grids, and extensive use of glass to create a college-type atmosphere. Myers Construction Management served as general contractor.

[pagebreak]

Lawyers raise the bar for design with renovated Delaware courthouse

Architecture firm Francis Cauffman has completed renovations of a historic 233,880-sf courthouse in downtown Wilmington, Del., to make way for the new headquarters of Delaware law firm Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP. Built in 1916, the Daniel L. Herrmann Courthouse received modern office upgrades to fit in with its iconic Beaux-Arts design. The U-shaped building, with four floors and a mezzanine, features a refurbished central bronze stairwell, a two-story atrium, and an outdoor plaza and garden. A 100-car garage was added beneath the courthouse. Foundations were laid for possible future expansion. +