Commercial building adaptive reuse is transforming unique and perhaps underutilized properties into interesting and purposeful. Instead of reusing materials, however, adaptive reuse seeks to reuse buildings.
In so doing, it meets the challenges of finding suitable sites for new developments, while breathing life into underperforming spaces.
Below, we provide some top examples of adaptive reuse of commercial buildings in Skagit and Whatcom Counties to show you just what’s possible with a little bit of vision and creativity.
What Is Adaptive Reuse In Commercial Construction?
Adaptive reuse of commercial real estate is the repurposing of commercial buildings to meet the new and changing needs of the community. Just as recycled materials can be used in commercial construction, so too can unused buildings. This gives new life to unused or underused structures.
Abandoned buildings can once again serve a worthwhile cause. Adaptive reuse includes measures that make the building more sustainable. This ensures that it will be a profitable establishment for years to come.
Examples Of Commercial Building Adaptive Reuse
Here are some top examples of successful commercial building adaptive reuse:
Bellingham High School
Loft apartments are always popular, but you don’t have to build from scratch to create an attractive residential building. This historical school building got its new lease on life as Bellingham High School Lofts.
Now a mixed-use development, it features 39 apartments, a community room, and retail space.
Whatcom Middle School
Schools are great for repurposing, as they already have a good mix of indoor and outdoor spaces. Whatcom Middle School is another historical school building that was adapted to enjoy many more years as a mixed-use development.
Now called Whatcom Middle School Apartments, it contains 39 neat and affordable apartments, a community space, and an outdoor playground.
The Old Town Grainery Building
Old grain storage buildings, with their vast size, are perfect for adaptive reuse. Also located in downtown Bellingham, a former grain storage facility is now the site of The Old Town Grainery Building, a mixed-use commercial/residential building.
This disused building now offers even greater value to the community with its apartments, offices, galleries, and restaurant.
The Herald Building
Another amazing transformation in downtown Bellingham is the historic Herald Building. A testament to Late Gothic Revival architecture, it was built for the Bellingham Publishing Company in 1926.
Steel buildings are not only durable, but they also offer easy customization. This fabricated steel structure was adapted and renovated to become the mixed-use development known as Herald Building Lofts. The former publishing house office building now contains 49 apartments, retail spaces, and a welcoming rooftop deck.
The Pickford Film Center
Even churches can continue to serve the community when they’ve fallen into disuse. Still driven by a mission to serve the community, the Pickford Film Center as it’s now known, continues to bring people together on the weekends.
The former church is now an independent cinema and art center, boasting several screening rooms, a gallery, and a cafe,
The Woolley Market
You may be familiar with the Woolley Market in Sedro-Woolley. This former grocery store is now a bustling community center and market.
The repurposed building now contains community meeting space and a library. A glimpse of its former life exists in the small grocery store now present.
The Lincoln Theatre
Sometimes, the nature of the activities doesn’t necessarily change when a building is adapted for reuse. This next example started its life in the entertainment world and continues to celebrate the arts for a new audience.
Starting as the Lincoln Movie Theatre in Mount Vernon in 1926, this movie hall evolved into a performing arts center in the 1980s. Careful restoration and renovation made it into what it is today – a lively mix of live theater, music, and other entertainment.
The Grainery Building
Like the Old Town Grainery, this grain storage facility in La Conner also got a revamp to become a high-value mixed-use building.
The Grainery Building was converted to serve both commercial and residential needs. Offices, galleries, and apartments now feed the communities needs in place of grain.
The Anacortes Depot Arts Center
Even a restored and converted train depot can serve new needs, as the coastal community of Anacortes has discovered.
Renamed the Anacortes Depot Arts Center, this arts center on the drive-to island now houses studios, galleries, and event spaces.
The Skagit River Brewery
Who doesn’t love fine dining and wines? The Skagit River Brewery has plenty of that on offer. But it wasn’t always the popular craft brewery and restaurant that it is today.
A former hardware store, this building was transformed into a profitable social hub by masterful renovation and adaptation.
Conclusion
Commercial building adaptive reuse is the ultimate solution to the problem of dwindling real estate and rising construction costs. It also offers the chance to meet a town’s changing needs while retaining the charm of historic structures.
Here at Chad Fisher Construction, we are committed to sustainable construction practices. Contact us today for assistance with your adaptive reuse project.