by Amanda Theisen
University Avenue in St. Paul is home to many historic buildings that have renovated or refurbished for new uses. What were once old warehouses and storefronts now have modern condos and lofts, restaurants, office space and shops.
The firm D/O Architects co-purchased one of those buildings – the Brown-Jaspers Building located at 2441 University Avenue W. – about three years ago with the nonprofit Film North. The 100-year-old building was designed by Clarence Johnston, the former state architect that designed Glensheen Mansion and several buildings throughout the University of Minnesota.
The former furniture showroom and warehouse still boasts several features from the art deco area of the 1930s. Inside, the spaces have both contemporary and sustainable features, designed to make the building as energy efficient as possible.
Starting with a blank slate
“We were looking for a historic building to do a historic tax credit project ,” says Colin Oglesbay (left), principal at D/O Architects and manager of 2441 Arts building. “I had looked at several of the buildings in this neighborhood, but this one immediately caught my eye.”
Oglesbay’s team added lots of unique details, including a 70-foot skylight and three-stories of reclaimed wood panels created from ash trees that were cut down because of emerald ash borer. There are several editing suites for production companies that have leased space, including Film North and the University of Minnesota Medical School’s creative film division.
A signature feature of 2441 Arts is a 54-person microcinema for independent film screenings and community events.
“We wanted to do something very contemporary with it – something dynamic and expressive with the building,” says Oglesbay. “We were transforming it from a furniture store and warehouse to a creative arts center and office space.”
Sustainable features
“When we co-develop a building, we want to be aggressive with our sustainability mission,” says Oglesbay.
The building features energy efficient appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and windows with high-efficiency glass. Crews will add a rooftop solar array later this summer. A back plaza will include a 7,000-gallon storage tank for rainwater buried underneath permeable pavers.
With the sustainable features, 2441 Arts is expected to supply about 70 percent of its own energy. Oglesbay says the building should meet LEED Gold certification standards.
Financing with Sunrise Banks
The 2441 Arts Building is the latest project in the Net Zero Banking program at Sunrise Banks. This innovative program allows customers to designate their personal or business deposit accounts to support projects like this one that reduce or avoid carbon emissions.
On the lending side, customers can apply for Net Zero Financing including Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) loans and other programs for energy efficiency or green building upgrades. 2441 Arts is utilizing several Net Zero lending options.
“I had tried to do carbon neutral projects several times, and I was never quite able to get there,” says Oglesbay. “But having tools like Net Zero Banking will make a lot more projects possible.”
This article originally appeared on Twin Cities Business.
Amanda Theisen is the communications manager for Sunrise Banks.
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