Project Name:  Windsor Block

Location:  Rapid City, South Dakota

Size:  13,500 square feet

Completed:  2009

The City was encouraging the redevelopment of historic properties within the downtown that could contribute to the local Historic District, which is list listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The 1890’s historic structure is sited along a highly visible bustling main arterial thru the heart of downtown and includes a 1950’s addition that expanded the footprint to its current size, a half block deep.  The 1890’s Italianate style facade had been covered over for decades by a prior misguided urban renewal renovation and the upper floor level – formerly a department store - was vacant.

The facade overlay was peeled away to reveal the well-preserved historic brickwork which was simply cleaned with minimal restorative work needed, while a missing cornice was re-fabricated and fenestration uncovered and replaced with thermally efficient windows.  Careful planning preserved the facade skin and openings in keeping with the historic preservation requirements of the local historic district as well as federal preservation guidelines to qualify for tax credits.  The street level storefronts were retained due to budget constraints and so the businesses could remain operational.

The original name – Windsor Block – was re-invoked and the project was slated to become the city’s first downtown multi-unit urban “loft” style living and reintroduce second floor living to the structure that historically contained upper level boarding rooms. 

The occupied shops below limited the work to the upper level of the interior and dictated a built-up floor deck to accommodated necessary plumbing for the 1950’s loft units – this stepped multi-level adds to the loft aesthetic.  Nine living units were carved around the perimeter with storage units occupying the central core of the floor plate.  Floor plans are arranged for open living with dynamic views of the outside urban environment thru plentiful windows. 

Original hardwood floors were reclaimed and refinished in the 1890’s structure for an authentic distressed appearance while the concrete deck was simply stained and polished to become the flooring in the 1950’s structure – adding to the trendy urban appeal.  The original stairway to the street was restored after having been covered over for decades.  Ceilings were installed at the high roof structure to allow natural light to flood deep into the interior spaces while strategically placed interior transom windows share the natural light deeper within each unit.  Salvaged circle top window frames are repurposed as picture frames to complete the interior expression.

The project was completed in a design-build fashion with a hand selected contractor, which allowed for ease of changes encountered during the renovations.     

Careful adherence to the federal historic tax incentive program guided the efforts and the project was awarded a certificate of achievement by the City for preservation excellence upon completion. This formerly non-contributing property is now not only a contributing Historic District property, but the project has established itself as a catalyst for the ongoing transformation of the area and has reintroduced upper floor downtown living to the urban core and reinforces the diversity and mixed use of a vibrant re-evolving urban downtown.