Reinventing Space
In these economic times, your best opportunities lie in finding new life for existing buildings. It is nice to know that Design Studio C, Ltd. has over twenty five years in adaptive re-use of existing buildings, whether an interior remodel, addition, or complete facelift.
Temporary Casino
The former Service Merchandise at Lakehurst Mall had been vacant for several years when the owner of Sundance Saloon, LLC decided to move his country and western dance hall there. Design Studio C, Ltd. worked closely with the owner to convert this 60,000 square foot retail space into a 30,000 square foot bar, dance hall and concert venue as well as a 30,000 square foot banquet facility on the second floor. Considerations included not only the design and function of the new spaces, but how to allow thousands of concert patrons to exit the building safely as well as provide sufficient new bathrooms, electrical and HVAC systems.
Years later, we were invited to redesign the building as a temporary location for a proposed casino project. The unbuilt design would have included an exterior facelift as well as extensive interior redesign.
Scil Animal Care
Scil Animal Care, a local distributor for veterinary diagnostic equipment, was outgrowing its space in a Grayslake industrial park. They approached Design Studio C, Ltd. to help them select a new location for their growing business. They had narrowed down the choices to a greenfield site and a vacant office building with space to expand. Design Studio C, Ltd. prepared feasibility studies demonstrating that adding onto the existing office building was the most economically viable solution. Since the existing office building was still in good condition, we were able to reconfigure the existing office area to better meet the company’s needs with updated technology and style. The new warehouse and loading dock were designed to complement the existing building.
Facade Update
The owners of this mostly vacant commercial building asked DSC to design a new first floor façade to replace the existing dilapidated storefront and gut the interior in order to attract new tenants. We took inspiration from the existing Mid-Century Modern second and third floor brick to design a cobalt blue glazed brick and aluminum storefront that looks like it could have been part of the 1960’s but also looks current. During construction, we uncovered the original turn of the century cast iron columns, so we incorporated them into the design, resulting in a unique combination of new and old.
