REI (Seattle) consummated a demanding two-year renovation in April, when the outdoor sporting goods retailer’s Denver flagship was finally complete. Unlike most renovation projects, the Denver store posed the issue of historic significance. The building, a 99-year-old power plant (once the Denver Ramway Power Company), is a landmark, awaiting induction into the National Registry of Historic Places. So, REI and designers at Mithun Partners (Seattle) wanted to update the building without destroying almost 100 years of history.
The game plan was to reuse and restore as much as possible. Tasks included restoring/replacing 168 wooden windows and rehabilitating stairs, coal hoppers and even a smokestack. The smokestack and coal hoppers were reincarnated as a skylight and signage, respectively. Unless required by code, structural elements were not hidden. The result is an expansive, updated space (with hands-on features like a mountain bike testing trail and a rock-climbing tower) with the authentic look of a historic landmark.
CLIENT TEAM: REI, Seattle — Jerry Chevassus, vp retail development; Laura Rose, retail design coordinator; Elaine Jorgenson, merchandise presentation DESIGN TEAM: Mithun Partners Inc., Seattle — Bert Gregory, principal-in-charge; Robert Deering, project manager; Ken Boyd, project architect; Uwe Bergk, interior design; Jim Brown, Craig Brooks, Chris Butler, Lynn Robbins, Clement King and Masumi Saito, designers OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS: J. Miller & Associates, Seattle (lighting); Trademark Sign and Display Corp., Seattle (signage) AUDIO/VIDEO: Electromedia, Denver; Sound Products, Eden Prairie, Minn.; and Bose Corp., Farmingham, Mass. CEILING: Armstrong World Industries Inc., Lancaster, Pa. FIXTURING: REI Construction Shop, Seattle; M. Lavine Design Workshop, Cold Spring, Minn. FLOORING: Masland Carpets, Mobile, Ala.; DalTile, Dallas; Pratt & Larson, Portland, Ore. FURNITURE: Chuckanut Design, Bellingham, Wash. GRAPHICS: Photobition, Denver LIGHTING: ETC Source Four, Middleton, Wis.; Kolbe & Kolbe, Wasau, Wis.; Altman Stage Lighting, Yonkers, N.Y.; Pauluhn, Pearland, Texas; Amerlux, Fairfield, N.J.; Thomas Daybrite, Tupelo, Miss.; Litelab, Buffalo, N.Y. MANNEQUINS/FORMS: Fusion Specialties Inc., Broomfield, Colo. SIGNAGE: Trademark Sign and Display Corp., Seattle WALLCOVERINGS: DesignTex, New York METAL MESH: McNichols Co., Tampa, Fla. RECLAIMED TIMBERS: Timber Creek, Ketchum, Idaho