Through intentional strategy and forward-thinking, an abandoned midcentury auto shop has been readapted to become a boutique pet store while preserving its historic characteristics and charm.
Originally built in 1954 as a gas station and later converted to an auto shop, the building and site proposed many challenges. Having been neglected for many years, the building was in disrepair and went through extensive environmental testing to ensure the site was safe and fit for retail
The original space was divided into three separate zones; the entry office, oil change and maintenance, and transmissions/long-term repair. We knew we wanted to transform the interior into one cohesive space for retail sales and pet bakery. This included demolishing half of a wall and opening the storefront to allow natural light and visibility.
We started by identifying components of the existing space that were in total disrepair. This included existing garage doors, roof, drainage, service canopy, rear of building, and parking lot. With material reuse in mind, we opted for minimal replacement and salvaged as much as we could. Instead of repainting the building, we cleaned the enamel panels, sandblasted the structural canopy to remove rust, and degreased the east side of the building.
As the client went through a rebrand, we wanted to make sure we brought the new elements of her story and brand to life without losing touch of the vintage feel of the architecture. We used graphics and signage to highlight art modern features such as the streamlined color blocking of the facade and the neon stripe that curves around the box-type station. Neon lettering along the roofline and a blinking dog pylon sign were used to invoke the nostalgia of the 50’s when the original building was constructed.
