400 41st Street Building

This project involved the conversion of a former 1930s Gulf gas station into a multi-tenant building serving the burgeoning urban center of Avondale. A 2,000 SF glass enclosed addition fronts the original single story building, bringing the structure to the edge of the sidewalk to reinforce the urban edge. The new structure is divided to accommodate four smaller retail spaces intentional sized to attract local entrepreneurs. Retaining the character of the existing station, its original brick walls, exposed wood joists and decking reveal the history of the structure and connect the structure to its place. The new work is intentionally distinct, creating a balance composition that juxtaposes old versus new and solid versus transparent. The new form is simple and direct. The building systems are exposed to reflect to the raw character of this emerging neighborhood center.