26 W. Center
Located on the historic Fayetteville Square, the circa 1898 building at 26 W. Center Street was revealed after hiding sixty-five years behind a metal screen. (Watch our video below to see the transformation). At the start of restoration, the building was obscured, severely dilapidated and out of code compliance. This complex project overlapped several preservation categories including to preserve, restore, reconstruct, and rehabilitate. Preserve Arkansas awarded it the Excellence in Preservation through Restoration Honorable Mention in 2021.
The initial 1960s façade deconstruction included removal of a metal rain-screen, heavy granite wall panels, and concrete block in the original window openings. Energy efficient wood windows were fitted into original openings. The building is now up to current code with new stairway, expanded entries, new interior corridors and common area services.
The team delivered a quality restoration and rehabilitation that honored the architecture of the original building, often aided with input from area historians. The end result serves as a window to Fayetteville’s historic legacy and sets the stage to once again contribute to the vibrant life of the Square.
Timelapse video of building restoration
The John s. VEST HOUSE
The building has been titled the John S. Vest House as well as the Vest-McEnany House and even The Old Brick House, for its association with Old Main in the use of Kelton-Vest bricks. It is a handsome building that shares tree lined N. West Avenue with many stately structures and anchors the end of the row as it transitions to Dickson Street. Our team worked closely with owners to transform it from a dilapidated state to viable office space as part of a multi-building development project. Already listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Vest House restoration work resulted in approval of state and national tax credits. (Yes, that is really a door above the porch.)
Before
After
the kingston general STORE
The Bunch General Store in Kingston, Arkansas, circa 1890, was an adaptive reuse project that incorporated restoration and code upgrades. Project highlights included accessible restrooms and new mechanical systems without disrupting the historic character. Albert Skiles led the project rehabilitation and historic registry efforts, which concluded with a successful nomination to the to the National Register of Historic Places.
I-house survey
This project represented assessment and documentation of a significant structure with the intent of proposing rehabilitation or restoration program. This is helpful in cases of advocating for grant applications.