Rapid City Storefronts Sited along a major arterial street in the heart of the historic downtown, three contiguous turn-of-the-century historic structures - each under single ownership - presented a rare opportunity for thoughtful revitalization. A local facade improvement grant program provided the catalyst to reimagine and restore the deteriorated storefronts. Time, neglect, insensitive renovations, and multiple overlays had erased nearly all traces of the original historic architectural detailing of the facades. Through extensive archival research and historic photographs, the design team reconstructed two of the retail facades as closely as possible, using modern, low-maintenance materials to ensure longevity. For the third building - home to the owner's pub - a more contemporary facade was introduced, carefully integrated with the now restored original boardwalk-style sign. Restored transom glass on the facades allows daylight deep into the retail interiors – as they were historically intended, while expansive storefront glazing reintroduces the tradition of window shopping to the district. At night, the illuminated facades lend to a vibrancy, walkability, and safety of the renewed streetscape. The refreshed storefronts are now compatible with their neighboring structures, reinforcing the character of the historic downtown district.
|
Location Owner Contractor Role Personnel Scope Cost Completed |
