Location
Ann Arbor, MI
Original Construction
1906
Construction Cost
$2,700,000
Size
33,000 sqft
Size
2000
Awards
2001 Michigan Historic Preservation Network Building Award;
1999 Ann Arbor Historic District Commission Special Merit Award for Façade Restoration

Built in as a hardware store, by the Schlenker family, the Schlenker Building was also transformed into an apartment on the second floor, where the Schlenker children grew up. Additions were added throughout the 1930’s. In 1995, Schlenker Hardware closed its business, vacating the building, and the year after, it was purchased for renovation and redevelopment for a new purpose.

The design of new, in-fill construction is one of the most exciting aspects of historic preservation architecture—from both the community and the professional perspective.  This 20,500 square foot office, retail, and residential development expanded on the “loft” nature of the historic Schlenker Hardware Building, amplified the downtown pedestrian scale—down the hill to its logical termination at the base of Liberty St—and closed an existing “hole” in the street used for parking.

The size of the site resulted in the building’s addition being designed as a series of three boxes, which blend with the surrounding historic buildings and particularly complement the existing building. It intensified the use of the alley as a pedestrian and vehicular connector and provides outdoor or retail space at the entrance to the building. Further, it maintains the housing on the second floor of Schlenker and adds outdoor porch space for not only residential, but also office use, in various locations around the buildings. Since the site is in a flood plain, the addition had to be raised off of the ground. The resulting space was used for parking under the building.