CPG was engaged to assist with historic tax credit application as part of the developer’s vision to rehabilitate the building as a mixed use property, with ground floor commercial and upper floor residential units. Due to the location within the floodplain, sensitive retrofits were made to protect the building from future flood events, to enhance the safety of the tenants, and to ensure the long-term resilience of the historic building.
Commonwealth
Duke Grace Building
Building Documentation & Scanning
Flood Retrofit Negotiation & Design
Historic Building Renovation
Historic Research
Historic Tax Credit Consulting
Duke Grace Building
Partners
Work Program Architects
Compo Construction Company
Timmons Group
Virginia Department of Historic Resources
National Park Service
Project Goals
The Duke Grace Building is a c1969, five-story, International-style office building with an adjacent associated parking garage located within the Norfolk Auto Row Historic District.
Project Design
CPG provided building treatment recommendations to retain first floor commercial use and to sensitively insert residential units within the upper floors while preserving the historic character of the building.
The historic public spaces such as the lobby and hallways were retained. Systems and finishes throughout the building were upgraded to provide necessary floodproofing and meet abatement requirements while meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
Challenges & Accomplishments
Due to the age and historic use of the building, significant changes to the office suites occurred over time which resulted in a loss of historic materials beyond the public spaces. Additionally, asbestos was detected within windows, floors, and walls throughout the building, posing a risk to future tenants.
Priority was placed on maintaining the historic plan of public spaces, intentionally inserting apartment units, and carefully selecting compatible finishes to replace abated materials and to improve flood resiliency. The project successfully met the Standards for Rehabilitation.