Honorable Mention, Mixed Use
Like Memphis, Tenn., itself, The Commonwealth has endured years of highs and lows. A child of the roaring ’20s, the building has sustained the Great Depression, World War II, the Atomic Age, the birth of Rock ’n’ Roll, the depopulation of downtown Memphis and, ultimately, abandonment. But—also much like Memphis—there is another story. This story is not simply about the restoration of a hidden gem; rather, it’s a story of redemption: a redemption that the great city of Memphis is also experiencing.
Drawing inspiration from the building’s history, the adaptive reuse brings together a mix of uses, including retail, multifamily residential, and commercial offices with shared spaces for collaboration and celebration. Retail spaces and amenities at the ground floor bring residents, occupants and visitors together to experience the story of the building. Utilizing the original corridor and service core, new residential units and offices offer modern amenities while exposing and highlighting the historic structure. Restrained modern additions and the restored original steel windows bring natural light to spaces.
A selective insertion of understated new construction allows the reimagined ground-floor façade to emphasize the restored terra-cotta façade above while welcoming visitors into the mixed-use vertical community.
Design began in May 2015 with construction starting May 2017. Construction was completed in January 2020.
“A great restoration and mixed use (and adaptive reuse) of the interiors.”
Charles Van Winckle, vice president, Thornton Tomasetti’s Renewal practice, Metamorphosis Awards Judge
Retrofit Team
METAMORPHOSIS AWARD WINNER and DESIGN ARCHITECT/ARCHITECT OF RECORD AND INTERIOR DESIGNER: LRK
MEP/FP ENGINEER: Haltom Engineering
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Chad Stewart & Associates Inc.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Montgomery Martin Contractors
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Kersey/Wike Associates
Materials
APPLIANCES: GE Appliances
BATHROOM FITTINGS: BrassCraft
BATHROOM FIXTURES: American Standard and ProFlo
BATHROOM SHOWER TILE: Rittenhouse 3×6 in 0148 Spa from Daltile
ELEVATORS: KONE
FLOOR TILE: Marble Falls in White Water from Daltile
CARPET: Alchemy Tile in Colossal Bismut from Shaw Contract
LIGHTING: GM Lighting, Capital Lighting Fixture Co., Mobern Lighting, Eaton and Troy Lighting
PAINTS/STAINS: Sherwin-Williams
ROOFING: Cold Fluid Applied from Johns Manville
PORCELAIN ROOF PAVERS: Archatrak
WINDOWS: Marvin
