#269 restoration

Last week I was fortunate enough to be part of a group that was given a tour of a warehouse that is being renovated into living and community spaces.  This is a block-long building that was built in 1860, served as a factory for doors, sat vacant for 40 years and is now one of the most desirable places in town.

If I was not already in love with my two non-apartment-compatible golden retrievers, I would have signed a lease on the spot.  The owners have done a magnificent job of restoration; preserving the character of the original and enhancing it with efficiencies that were inconceivable when the structure was built.

This is no longer a dilapidated, empty shell in a blighted neighborhood; instead it is becoming a showcase and hub for the arts, community gatherings, and hip young people to call home.  In my opinion, it is far better than any new construction could hope to be at that site, and their early occupancy rates bear that out.  Preserving the past has added dimension and character in a way that provides a distinctiveness and individuality unavailable in standardized new buildings.

What element of restoration can you provide in your organization?  Everything does not have to be new.  How can you resurrect some of the grand elements of the past to bring your heritage to the modern times in a way that actually adds value to your work?  Are there traditions, facilities, stories or practices that you can claim as a bridge from the past to the present?  

In a world that has so many elements of sameness, remember to look to your past as you envision the future.  You may find a forgotten treasure there.

-- beth triplett
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