2009 Adaptive Re-use Tours
Grand Avenue has a long, and storied history. To provide the community with an opportunity to learn more about this unique diagonal street, the Grand Avenue Festival includes adaptive re-use/history tours each year during the festival.
Over the last 16 years new uses have been popping up in the Lower Grand Avenue district (from Van Buren to the 1-10 Freeway overpass) with many buildings reverting from industrial uses back to the original small retail and office uses that once lined this important connector to Wickenburg, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and points west. An influential factor in this renaissance has been the many innovative commercial adaptive re-use projects in the neighborhood: new owners have preserved parts of the existing vintage structures while making modern conversions that allow for more practicality in today’s world, including a myriad of hybrid uses.
Adaptive re-use of commercial buildings in older commercial districts is an important factor in creating true neighborhood sustainability. Many small, entrepreneurial businesses are attracted to the character these older structures lend to a neighborhood – and rents are usually more affordable than brand new construction can offer. The adaptive re-use/history tours during the Grand Avenue Festival focus on celebrating the unique history of Grand Avenue, as well as the wonderful adaptive re-use projects in the neighborhood. Different projects will be highlighted each year. The 2009 adaptive re-use tour included the following:
- Tilt Gallery – 919 W Fillmore
- Jordre Studio – 1007 W Grand
- Paisley Violin Cafe & Paisley Town – 1028 W Grand
- Motley Design Group – 1114 W Grand
- Rehbein Grocery Building – 1229 W Grand Ave
- Bragg’s Pie Factory – 1301 W Grand
