Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the technology.
It's amazing how every once in a while a near tragedy can turn out to be a blessing. Take, for example, the Parish Commons located at the corner of Elmwood and West Ferry. Back in November there was an early morning fire that almost destroyed the building. Fast forward nine months and we have an entirely different scenario presented to us (see initial update). Just a few minutes ago I watched as one of the dormers was being lifted into the sky. As I watched, Dr. Mike (Dr. Mike Calabrese) walked out of the building, so we began to discuss the progress in motion. I asked him how the interior layout would differ from the previous design. He told me that instead of disjointed, divisionary offices and hallways, there would now be a plan to revisit a layout that actually worked with the bones of the former church.
When I walked into the interior of the building, I was immediately struck by the openness before me. I was also stunned to see that many of the original wood features from the original church were intact. The potential to bring back the original character of the interior was plain to see. Even the original wood stairs and railings were present... if you had ever stepped inside this building previously you would never have guessed that these features had been left at all.
The plan is to reopen the medical offices in two stages. The first half of the building (Elmwood side) will be operational by November. Then, next year, the second phase will move forward. In the meantime, the new roofs will be secured so that the elements are kept out of the West Ferry (Phase 2) section.
There will be plenty of green elements incorporated into the build-out - up to six new dormers will add to the character and functionality of the office building. I will have updates on the green aspects of the build-out in coming days.
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MiesvanderDoh
very nice. why was the slate roof abandoned on the elmwood side?
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sbrof
Has the slate roof been abandoned? The image above just shows a plywood subsurface which would provide the support for any new roof be it slate or solar panels..
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buffaloweiner
I was just going to say that they should put wide expansive dormers so they could have a useable 3rd floor...
but I would recommend those side windows extend all the way to the ground and thus open the possibility of 1st floor retail.
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