At Quinn Evans, we believe that adaptive reuse is as much about imagination as architecture. Our approach goes beyond repurposing old buildings to uncover possibilities and breathe new life into places that others might overlook.
The process of adaptive reuse often begins with a client who has a cherished building but is unsure of its future potential. Our role is to help them see beyond the obvious and uncover hidden opportunities. We approach each project with deep respect for the existing structures and an innovative vision for their future. While others may see only a rundown movie theater or an abandoned train station, we imagine vibrant community spaces and cutting-edge workplaces.
This ability to think creatively and see potential where others may not allows us to develop solutions that lead to meaningful transformations. These changes create spaces that are both functional and inspiring, contributing to the vitality of communities and urban landscapes.
Imagination and Vision
We believe the creative process thrives on collaboration and open-mindedness. Rather than trying to make design solutions fit a predetermined idea, we start by listening attentively to our clients and the people who will use the building. We find the best ideas come from exploring possibilities together and refining them through thoughtful iteration. Our team also considers factors like historic preservation guidelines, community impact, and sustainability goals, weaving them into a cohesive vision.
This approach allows us to turn challenges into opportunities. Whether we're converting a furniture showroom into modern office spaces or reimagining a post office as an inspiring gallery, we're passionate about creating places that enrich communities and honor architectural heritage. The transformation of the Lion Brothers Building in Baltimore shows how imagination can connect a building's history to its future use. Once a factory symbolizing the industrial craftsmanship of its time, it has been reborn as a hub for creative enterprises, with open, collaborative spaces designed to support the modern equivalent.
From Eyesore to Asset
The key lies in seeing beyond the present state and imagining the future possibilities. Our imagination becomes a powerful tool, allowing us to transform abandoned or underutilized buildings into valuable community assets where people want to live, work, and gather.
By repurposing neglected structures, we fill gaps in the streetscape, seamlessly reintegrating them into the neighborhood. Empty warehouses, retail stores, and industrial buildings can be reimagined as vibrant, multi-use hubs of activity.
Adaptive reuse isn't limited to traditionally beautiful buildings. Even "ugly ducklings" can become vital threads in the urban fabric, contributing to a more cohesive, engaging, and sustainable cityscape. Consider the Packing House in Cambridge, Maryland. What was once a dull industrial structure has become a modern commercial space supporting the businesses that are remaking the local economy.
Or the former parking structure for a taxi fleet that is now the Checker Cab building, the first in a series of prominent mixed-use buildings known collectively as Elton Park that have added dense residential and retail space to Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood.
The Role of Collaboration
Adaptive reuse is inherently collaborative, involving input from clients, communities, and preservation experts. Often, clients know they want change but aren't sure what that change should be. The building's original purpose may no longer serve the community, so we work closely with clients, communities, and stakeholders to fully understand their needs, aspirations, and the project's broader context.
This approach often leads to unexpected and exciting outcomes. What may begin as a simple idea can evolve into a multi-functional development that meets a wide range of community needs. An example is the 7.Liv project in Detroit, where we reimagined a vacant mid-century retail building as a mixed-use hub that revitalizes an entire urban block. This project demonstrates how adaptive reuse can go beyond preserving a single structure to catalyze neighborhood renewal, integrating restored historic elements and contemporary design to serve community needs.
Collaborative efforts are often the most productive way to ensure that the heritage and significance of the original structure are respected when new uses are imagined, as with our work on the Element Detroit at the Metropolitan. Once downtown Detroit's longest-vacant building, the Metropolitan Building stood unused for 40 years. Built in 1925, the Gothic Revival tower originally housed various fashion-related businesses, including several stories dedicated to jewelry and watch manufacturing. We drew on our technical expertise and creative problem-solving to envision how the building's grand historic spaces could be repurposed for contemporary hospitality use, balancing preservation with modern amenities.
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At the hotel’s opening, Detroit City Mayor Mike Duggan said, "This was just the right team to come in and see possibilities when all other people saw was decay." Today, the revitalized Metropolitan is contributing to the renaissance of the Grand Circus Park community.
Vision Matters
Adaptive reuse is an art form requiring a blend of creativity, historical appreciation, and practical foresight. It's about looking at a structure not for what it currently is but for what it has the potential to become. Whether transforming a forgotten industrial site into a thriving entrepreneurial hub or incorporating a historic brownstone into an arts high school, the possibilities are endless with a visionary approach.
In the world of adaptive reuse, the journey from old to new is as inspiring as the outcome itself. By maintaining a big-picture perspective, we can unlock the hidden potential in our built environment and create spaces that are not only functional but also enriching to our communities and our collective heritage.
