Awards of Excellence:

Baldwin Motor Company Building

Located within the Emporia Downtown Historic District, 714-718 Commercial Street is also listed as a contributing building on the National Register. This brick two-part commercial block occupies a triple-width lot and the building is six bays wide. Before the project, paired upper-story window openings define the bays, each of which contained brick infill. Four brick piers define three storefront bays in the first story. Before the project started, the south and center storefronts contain aluminum-framed storefront systems; and the north storefront features wood infill with a recessed door. Each storefront transom is covered with painted plywood. Aluminum visor awnings span the top of each storefront.

The historic character-defining features present include: the dark brown brick facing; the shaped parapet; the cast stone embellishment found throughout the façade as parapet coping, belt courses, windowsills, and decorative rectangular inset panels and pier capitals.

As part of the remodel project, the brick infill was removed and replica historic windows were installed on the 2nd floor. Two original windows remained and these were used to create the custom windows for the project. A non-historic first floor storefront was removed, and an appropriate storefront system was installed.

At the former car lift shaft, a new 2nd fire stair and elevator were installed. A total of ten apartments were installed on the 2nd floor of the building. New mechanical, plumbing, electrical and sprinkler systems were also installed within the scope of work. The existing stairs and 2nd floor corridor were restored including the original terrazzo flooring.