What is Adaptive Reuse?

Adaptive Reuse is an essential element of Historic Preservation that allows previously obsolete buildings a second chance at being utilized while still maintaining their original character and charm. This is important as it allows more buildings to be restored while still serving the public in a way that adapts to its current needs. For instance, a city may determine that it needs a much larger courthouse than the one they currently have. Perhaps it doesn’t make sense to build an addition, but rather to build a new courthouse that better suits the city’s needs. So what happens to the old courthouse?

Ideally, the previous structure would be adaptively reused in a manner that both fills a need for the public or a private business and still preserves the integrity of the building. The building could be transformed into anything from condos to an office building depending on what the layout is best suited for. With some reconfiguration of the interior spaces and adjustments to make it code-compliant for the new use, the building could be saved. Adaptively reusing the space would save on costly demolition costs, allow the city to sell it (which generates new revenue) and avoid the environmental toll that comes with disposing of old buildings and all of the materials in it, many of which are no longer used in modern construction. Adaptive reuse is a win-win in that it generates new revenue, preserves the integrity of a space, and avoids the environmental fallout that stems from disrupting and having to dispose of old, toxic materials.

Best Examples of Adaptive Reuse Projects

The Greenway Apartments | Adaptive Reuse in New Orleans, LA

Photo courtesy of Curbed New Orleans

Known for its rich historic culture, it’s no surprise that the city of New Orleans is proactively hanging on to its built treasures. The Tulane Industrial Laundry building, built pre-1940 was left vacant for years before GCE Green Development brought it back to life as The Greenway Apartments. In the underdeveloped but growing area, these 12 apartments and commercial spaces might just be the turning point for real sustained growth in a neighborhood ripe with potential. Historic preservation in New Orleans is one of the top reasons people visit this city.

Ponce City Market | Adaptive Reuse of an Industrial Building in Atlanta, GA

Photo courtesy of Jamestown

This former Sears & Roebuck Co. distribution center turned mixed-use Ponce City Market might actually be our all-time favorite and not just of the southeast. Located on the Atlanta BeltLine, it serves as a destination for tourists and local cyclists alike. This 2.1 million square foot building now houses a food hall, beer garden, retail shops, offices, and apartments on the upper floors. The adaptive reuse of industrial buildings in Atlanta has been a key factor in the successful revitalization of many of its neighborhoods including the Fourth Ward where this project is located.

The Grey | Historical Preservation & Adaptive Reuse in Savannah, GA

Photo courtesy of Garden & Gun

This former Greyhound bus station was brought back to its iconic mid-century glory when Johno Morisano and Chef Mashama Bailey partnered up to open The Grey. Fascinated by both the history and potential of the building, they painstakingly restored most of the building’s original character, including the Vitrolite facade, a material that is no longer manufactured. The perfect balance of old and new create the unique yet sophisticated style of this restaurant. Historic preservation in Savannah is not a differentiator but rather a uniting thread among downtown business owners.

Aloft Tampa Downtown | Adaptive Reuse Hotel in Tampa, FL

Photo courtesy of Trip Advisor

This unmistakenly mid-century gem was built originally as Mercantile Bank back in 1965 and was later an office building before lying vacant for almost 10 years. Punit Shah and Santosh Govindaraju stepped in and saw the potential through the flooded lobby and inoperable elevators. They worked diligently to convince Aloft’s parent company, Starwood Hotels and Resorts to consider the site for a new hotel. The once dilapidated building scheduled for demolition is now a 130-room boutique Aloft hotel with a bar, poolside lounge, and stunning river views. Adaptive reuse in Tampa has been one of the strongest drivers of its downtown revitalization.

Echo Mountain Recording | Historic Preservation & Adaptive Reuse of a Church in Asheville, NC

Photo courtesy of Echo Mountain Recording

Our love for preservation might only be surpassed by our love for music, and Echo Mountain Recording is truly the best of both worlds. What was once a Methodist church built in 1928 is now a state-of-the-art recording studio. Unique considerations were taken to maintain as much of the historic character as possible, such as splitting original historic doors to add soundproofing materials. What is a further demonstration of a culture of care is when they purchased and adaptively reused the old Salvation Army building next door, built in 1926. The culture of adaptive reuse in Asheville has allowed it to save many old buildings and maintain its unique character.

The Future of Adaptive Reuse

Adaptive reuse is a hot topic that is gaining popularity among many cities across the world. Whether it is cities or private entities, people are getting creative on how to save their history while accommodating modern needs. There are plenty of challenges and issues that arise in adaptive reuse projects, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced professional to help navigate the various zoning, design, and construction considerations. Do you have a project you’ve been considering? Contact us to schedule an intro call and discuss it!

Color is the easiest way to express your individual style and can make your home uniquely custom to your tastes. Time and time again, we have clients contact us wanting the complex and unexpected palettes they see in our portfolio, yet they are absolutely terrified to select them on their own. We get it. If a painter doesn’t call us halfway through a room to make sure it’s the right color, then we know we played it too safe… or they have just worked with us for a long time. Our color selecting confidence is rooted in a deep understanding of color theory and years of experience working with a wide range of styles and tastes for Jacksonville interior and exterior design project. Helping clients bring their unique flavor into their homes is one of our favorite services to provide. 

Regardless of which services you are interested in, the first step is to schedule a 15-minute introductory call. Before this call, you will receive a brief questionnaire to help identify your specific needs and tastes so that we can make the best use of our time on the call. We will discuss goals, timeline, and budget to determine the next steps for your design needs. It may be that you would like to start a full-service design project or that you just need a little help finalizing the right colors and finishes for a DIY renovation. If we both feel our team is a good fit, we will schedule a paid consultation at your home. 

The consultation is up to two hours and is a working meeting. We bring a customized kit of tools to help you identify your unique color style. We will go through a variety of imagery and graphics for you to provide feedback. You don’t need a degree in design vernacular and this kit is designed for us to get the information we need from those who may have a basic concept of what they want but find themselves intimidated by the design process. Sometimes partners disagree but we’re some of the most qualified mediators out there when it comes to meshing tastes while still looking very intentional and unified. This is why the call is so important – so we know exactly what to bring and can ensure it will be a super fun yet successful investment of your time and money. 

As the consultation concludes, we will work on a handwritten list of our selections to leave behind. You may also opt for additional services such as a mood board to help select final touches or renderings to help you visualize and help your painters get the locations right. Trust us when we tell you that painters love this–Especially when the scheme is complex and super involved. We can also recommend some helpful additional services and provide an estimate at your Jacksonville interior design consultation that is wholly unique to your project.

Here’s an example of an exterior paint consultation we did years ago and what our client had to say about it:

We are so happy with the color consultation we received for our Queen Ann exterior! Becky listened to our ideas and within days, she showed us the rendering of the perfect color scheme to honor the period and personality of our home. She provided all the color numbers and diagram for the painters, so they follow her plan. Springfield is thrilled to have this talent in our neighborhood! If you are thinking of painting your home, but not sure what works well with your house’s age, neighboring structures, and personal taste, we highly recommend calling on Bmorcreative, Inc. – Jim

Photo by Miguel Emmanuelli

So if you have been agonizing over making a selection or your sample wall is starting to look patchier than your grandmother’s quilt, it may be time to call in some help. We absolutely love doing in-home consultations for paint and color because we know what a dramatic impact a little color can add. And while these consults are not designed to finalize specific options like tile or furnishings, it is an opportunity for you to get a little help along the way and for us to get to know each other, which is the foundation of every great working relationship. Contact us to schedule an introductory call and get started today!

Tepeyolot Cerveceria, founded by Luis Melgarejo, is scheduled to open sometime in April or May – and Melgarejo plans to offer a substantial selection of craft brews.

“I think 20 or 25 [taps] – one of the best things about beer is the variety. You can really do whatever you want,” Melgarejo said. “We can try something one week and if it doesn’t work or we don’t like it, we can just change it and bring something else out.”

Located at 2136 Kings Ave. in a former office and recording studio building, Tepeyolot’s 5,407 square feet gives Melgarejo room to experiment. He said he plans to install a 7-barrel system for brewing and aims to initially produce about 500 barrels of beer in the first year – however, he added the space allows him to grow his operation in the future.

Click here to read the article »

Although, I think it is actually a secretary meant for writing letters, I love all of the dainty nooks for my beauty stuff. I added some small vintage ashtrays to store jewelry and bobby bins, tucked away on the shelves.

I don’t have a lot of antiques, but the ones I do, I adore. Although, I am not really sure what they’re worth to anyone else. Recently though, I attended a lecture discussing how now is a great time to invest in antiques. Everyone wants vintage, and antiques are more affordable again. I believe that when a piece is functional and quirky, it doesn’t matter what year it was made, it will always come back into style.

Photo Credit: Miguel Emmanuelli

Renovations are nearly complete on the building that once housed the first medical facility to serve the African-American community in Jacksonville.

The long-vacant Brewster Hospital building, located at 843 W. Monroe St. in La Villa, will soon house the North Florida Land Trust’s offices.

Danis is the general contractor on the project, while Robbins Design Studio handled the architecture and BMor Creative handled the interior design.

Click here to read the full story »

The original Akra Bros Department Store, circa 1959.

Restoring a historic building is no small undertaking; on top of aesthetic appeal and modern amenities, restoration specialists must consider state and local preservation laws. We helped Crispens and his architectural team with the extensive design and planning required to bring this space into the 21st Century.

We knew there was great potential in these display windows.

Fortunately for us (and Crispy’s), preservation grants – including the first facade grant from Operation New Hope – and tax credits helped ease the financial burden, allowing the BMor Creative team to focus on restoring the splendor of the structure itself. Despite this windfall, grassroots funding was still a must; multiple fundraisers were held to create awareness and share our progress with the neighborhood, and residents came out in droves to support the soon-to-be local pizzeria bar and grill. It would still take months of elbow grease and persistence to bring this space into the 21st century, and transform it into Crispen’s dream restaurant and art gallery.

Setting up for a community FUNdraiser.

We wanted your first impression of Crispy’s to be both sophisticated and welcoming. One of our goals was to highlight the beautiful display windows and covered alcove by restoring the original tin and copper banding. We then incorporated copper accents into the sign and exterior lighting to create this striking, reflective entryway.

Inviting by day and somehow even more stunning at night!

Inside, we were fortunate to have nearly 6,000 square feet of space to play… err, work with. We were lucky to find several diamonds underneath the rough layers of the previous years, including terrazzo marble floors, a central grand staircase, and two second-story skylights.

We restored this neglected stairway into a central thruway to the upper dining level.

Since opening its doors just over a year ago, Crispy’s Springfield Gallery has been at the center of Jacksonville’s Urban Core revitalization effort. Crispy’s and the BMor Creative team opened the gateway, and more small businesses like breweries, restaurants, and coffee shops are popping up in the historic district, each offering unique, local flavor.

The alcove windows make a great live band stage, leaving the dining room space free for patrons.

The spacious, bi-level dining area is family-friendly and visually pleasing.

In 2018, Crispens was awarded the Jacksonville Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Ignitor Award, which recognizes individuals who serve as catalysts for urban neighborhood development.

In February, John Crispens was awarded the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Ignitor Award. This recognizes someone who has served as a catalyst for urban neighborhood development.

We were thrilled when the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission recognized our combined effort to revitalize Springfield’s commercial district and honored us with a 2018 Jacksonville Preservation Award, for “outstanding local achievement in the field of historic preservation.” Watching new life breathed into old buildings inspires us, and we love living in a city that recognizes the importance of preservation.

Paint and color are one of the least expensive and most impactful ways to customize your space. Color is not simply used to dress up a room. Color is used to shape energy and sway emotions. It can reflect a person’s personality, express individuality, and can shift a person’s mood. Color can be what helps set your space apart, and make people remember you. And in a world where everyone seems to just want to fit in, we encourage you to stand out!

As designers, we take a thoughtful and precise approach to color choices and it’s all about achieving the desired effect. Did you know that the right colors can actually change the look and feel of your space? Did you know that color can actually change the way you feel? This is not some new-agey hype, experts have been studying ‘Color Theory’ since the early 1400s. Color and the way it is applied, are principles considered by Interior Designers, Graphics Designers, Marketing Teams, Product Designers, and Fashion alike.

There is a wealth of information available about color symbolism and meaning. Every hue has its own characteristics, and every variation has a purpose. When it comes to design, it’s not just about picking a color; it’s understanding how that color – and its variations can affect space and create a mood. At BMor Creative, we feel the ultimate goal for any renovation, whether it be a local eatery, small business office space, or historic home, is to express the personality of its inhabitants and contribute productively to how they use their space.

Temperature
Colors are classified by temperature: warm to cool. On the spectrum, blues, purples, most grays, and blue-greens are considered cooler colors; while reds, yellows, yellow-greens, oranges, browns, and tans are considered warmer.

Cool colors are known for their calming effects. They invoke mental pictures of water, mountains, wintertime, or an overcast sky – Natural Elements. And just as in nature, these elements can have relaxing and calming effects on a chosen space. Cool colors also tend to make a space feel larger and more expansive, receding visually. This makes cooler colors a good choice for smaller spaces and rooms or any environment you want to promote as calming or relaxed.

Main and Sixth Brewing, Historic Springfield | Jacksonville, FL | Photo: Miguel Emmanuelli

Warm colors tend to bring out a sense of excitement, physicality, and energy. Think of the sun, sand, red clay, or fire – Natural Elements that embody warmth, physically and psychologically. Warm interiors make spaces feel more inviting and comforting. Often you’ll find public spaces in homes, restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs dressed in warm colors. And while cooler colors help expand a space, warmer colors help make larger rooms more intimate, creating a more human scale. Super high ceilings in a living room? Paint the walls and ceiling a warm neutral – it will suddenly feel more intimate and cozy.

King Residence, Historic Springfield | Jacksonville, FL | Photo: Miguel Emmanuelli

Now that you’ve narrowed down the color, it’s time to pick the perfect shade. But how do you know which green will work when there are over 50 to choose from? Understanding saturation can help.

Saturation
Saturation is best described as the intensity of color. Bright and bold colors, the purest and least modified from their true hues, are highly saturated. Softer, more muted versions of the same colors, created by adding black or complementary colors, are less saturated.

Highly saturated colors are visually stimulating and give off a sense of energy, excitement, and optimism. Think of an exercise gym, a Miami nightclub, or a children’s daycare center – places where energy and enthusiasm are implied and intended. It’s easy to envision those places with bright and bold color schemes. Saturated colors are also used to highlight an area or as an accent, drawing attention to a specific spot or room.

As designers, we love using bursts of color to act as signage, as well as contrast to shape large spaces or make a certain color really pop! However, you must proceed with caution. Too many bright colors or colors paired with its complementary companion can be overstimulating. The objective is to create a place for the eye to rest, not a sense of visual anxiety.

Trinity Baptist Pre-K | Jacksonville, FL

Less saturated colors are more peaceful and serene and provide a calming effect. They promote rest and relaxation and help lower negative emotional responses such as anxiety and fear. Is it any wonder these colors are commonly used in spas, mental health facilities, and areas of tranquility in homes, such as bedrooms and bathrooms? Just as too many bright colors can be overstimulating, too many muted colors make a room depressing. So, keeping it to a splash of color is sometimes what you want when looking to liven up a room.

Archer Residence | Jacksonville, FL | Photo: Miguel Emmanuelli

Still not sure?

Are you stuck between a few options? Color is one of our specialties at BMor Creative. We have years of experience in selecting the right palette for each client’s unique needs and personality. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. One of our clients’ biggest fears is picking the wrong colors. Not only do we offer full Interior Design, including Project Management and Construction services, we also offer color consultations.

Not sure how to pull it all together? We would love to share more of our passion and expertise in the world of color with you! Schedule a consult with us today, we’d love to help.

BMor Creative is a full-service interior design firm, specializing in commercial interior design and historic preservation for small business.

Becky Morgan has been running her commercial interior design company for three years and now, she’s setting up a storefront of her own.

Morgan, the owner of BMor Creative Inc., whose clients include planned restaurant and mixed-use space Crispy’s and the Happy Grilled Cheese in Five Points, is opening a studio at 157 E. 8th Street soon.

As a resident of Springfield, Morgan said the decision to open a storefront was a convenient move for her, but also one that she believes could give her business more visibility.

Click here to read the full story.

The old entry to Springfield on West Pearl Street. Established in 1869, Springfield is the state’s largest historic district.

The renewal of Springfield has had its share of obstacles the last two decades. Today, skyrocketing home values and substantial Main Street business investments indicate the current turnaround may be sustainable.

After the 1960s, when the urban middle class began to flee to the suburbs, Springfield experienced decades of neglect. But the neighborhood always had its charms.

Changing perceptions

In 2010, Southern Living and Florida Trend magazines touted one of Springfield’s comeback attempts.

Becky Morgan moved to Springfield that same year. Having lived in a gated community with a long list of restrictive covenants, she appreciated the neighborhood’s “free-spirited nature.”

Becky Morgan and John Crispens outside Crispy’s at 1735 N. Main St. Crispens plans to open the 150-seat restaurant this month.

“Everyone does their own thing,” she said.

At the time, Morgan said, Springfield had a “charming commercial corridor that was crumbling to pieces.” While that might have repelled many, Morgan — an interior designer with a passion for historic preservation — saw the potential.

“It’s just a vibe,” said Morgan, who opened her Springfield interior design company, BMor Creative, in 2014. “I want to be part of the action and the change.”

During the last three years, she has helped John Crispens build his 150-seat restaurant, Crispy’s, in the old Akra Bros. Department Store.

To return the building to its 1933 art deco style, Crispens restored the sleek black tile exterior and entryway features, such as the architectural glass and zigzag, copper-on-nickel trim. He also preserved the building’s skylights, staircase and terrazzo floor.

Crispens had not visited the neighborhood until about a decade ago.

“We came and fell in love with it,” he said. “We’ve been living here nine years now.”

Click here for the full story.

By May, John Crispens hopes to renovate his vintage Springfield building at 1735 N. Main St. into Crispy’s, a restaurant, bar, art gallery and dry-cleaning service.

“I’ve been wanting to start a business in Springfield for quite a while,” said Crispens, 46, who moved to Jacksonville from Long Island, N.Y., in 1992 and has been a Springfield resident for more than six years.

Crispens said he wants to contribute to the level of development along that part of Main Street, which is north of Downtown. He considers himself lucky to have found the almost 6,000-square-foot building, which he bought last year.

“The building is over 80 years old, with many unique architectural features including terrazzo marble floors and two giant original skylights,” he said.

In addition to the floors and skylights, the grand staircase to the second level also will be restored.

The city is reviewing a building permit application for Johnson Home Builders Inc. of Yulee to convert the space. Plans show the renovation would turn the first floor into a dining room, bar, kitchen, business area and storage. The partial second floor would accommodate more dining, as well as live music and private events.

BMor Creative Inc. is the interior designer. Baker Klein Engineering and The Ohmega Group are the engineers for the plans. All three are based in Springfield.

Click here for the full story.