Renovation Case Studies

Location, Location, Location!

By Michelle Witthaus

Before committing to downtown we looked into several options for our new facility, including leasing existing ready-to-occupy office space and building a new office in Lewiston or Clarkston.

 

Although the existing condition of the Pinch building was at first daunting, we fell in love with the possibilities that the building provided. In June, 2007 we began working with Castellaw Kom Architects to design the renovation of the building, which essentially ended up being a complete demolition of the existing structure to the shell.

 

We learned a lot along the way. We found that it was extremely important to team with an architect and contractor familiar with not only permitting and historic preservation, but with design and construction techniques for 100-year old buildings that were not built to the same standards we use today.

 

Flexibility during construction was important, as each day something unexpected was uncovered. Perhaps the biggest design and construction lesson learned was that these types of projects take more time than one would ever expect.
Being in downtown Lewiston has been monumental for the success of Northwest Media. We underestimated the adage, “Location, Location, Location”, thinking our industry was exempt. Our location has been vital to our brand recognition.

 

And perhaps just as important is providing a space that is an attractive and comfortable place to work each day…a place that we can be proud to share with our customers.

Creating a Viable Neighborhood

By Larry and Kathy Schroeder

Who knew years ago that a house could change our lives. We were a stifled farmer and gardener, loving our one level condo with an 8 minute yard but needing much more. We fell in love with the BridaBlik (meaning broad view) that was 100 years old.  It had such great bones and land to play in with a captivating view. We knew the house needed internal, exterior and landscape attention, but blind as we were, we were up for a challenge.

 

We completed multiple upgrades to the home; landscaping and removal and replacement of old insulation, boiler, knob and tube wiring, inefficient windows with “like” vinyl, cast iron and galvanized plumbing, keeping an eye to the period, preserving this home for the next hundred years or more.

 

A year ago we filed an application to the Historic National Register and in return mail were denied due to the enclosure of the south porches in the 30s and the north  porch in the 50s, creating this wonderful home but changing the original architectural design forever from an oversized bungalow. Had we had an active preservation group in Normal Hill then, this would have been discouraged so that today the grand old porches would remind us of the past where we could sit and wave to the neighbors and friends walking by.

 

Restoring and preserving helps to free up our landfills, maintain a sense of history and a connection to the past. Neighborhoods like Normal Hill need to be preserved one piece of architecture at a time, creating a viable neighborhood we want to raise our children in and stimulating the economy through home sales.