History transformed
The historic Holzbeierlein Bakery was designed by Julius Nenig in the commercial style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was part of the early consolidation of industrialized bread production around the 7th Street corridor in Washington, D.C. After the bakery closed in 1953, the building was used as a warehouse. At the time of its conversion into a mixed-use development, the warehouse was home to a food and beverage company that supplied food carts in the D.C. area. The design team worked closely with the DC Preservation League to nominate the building for landmark status while simultaneously gaining approval for adaptive re-use and expansion.
Creating a neighborhood
The original warehouse was expanded both horizontally and vertically to create 30,000 SF of new commercial offices on the adjacent lot. Nine high-end residential units and ground floor retail occupy the warehouse site. A new structural system was surgically threaded through the existing warehouse to support the vertical expansion. The materials and character of the additions complement the historic brick warehouse and allow it to be read as part of a larger composition. The design team took a similar approach to marrying old and new in the adjacent residential development called The Shaw. The two properties, with similar aesthetic, a mix of uses, and ground floor retail, catalyzed redevelopment of the neighborhood.
Respecting the history while providing a modern complementary design
History of the project
The Holzbeierlein Bakery was original constructed between 1891 and 1930 design by Julius Wenig in the late 19th and early 20th century commercial style movements. The bakery was part of a consolidated location of the early DC industrialization of bread production around the 7th Street corridor. In 1953, the bakery closed and the building was then used for various warehouse purposes. At the time of conversion, the warehouse was home to a food and beverage company that supplied DC area food carts.
MGA worked closely with the DC Preservation League to nominate the building for Landmark status while simultaneously gaining approval for a 28,000-square-foot addition to the building. MGA carefully designed for the revitalization of the existing warehouse highlighting the building’s original features while surgically lasing a new structural system through to support the additional two floors of new construction. The design of the addition compliments the historic warehouse while providing a modern complimentary design.
Sean Pichon, AIA
Principal
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Jeffrey Goins, AIA
Principal
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