We've talked recently about how the new Charlottesville zoning codes have allowed property owners to make use of unused and underused real estate within the city and carving out places for affordable housing (aka “the missing middle”). But this isn't the only place we're seeing a "rightsizing" of properties to meet the needs of the city's citizens.
One of the most exciting projects we've recently undertaken is the revitalization of our own office building - located on a two building site, 802 and 818 East Jefferson Avenue, which we think is a shining example of the possibilities of adaptive reuse within our city.
Too often, the first impulse when companies are seeking office space, or developers are planning commercial properties, is to look beyond city limits for acreage and start from scratch. However, the projects we designed at East Jefferson street demonstrates that by creatively updating existing structures, we can achieve more sustainable, convenient, and dynamic results that meet the needs of local businesses while preserving Charlottesville’s character.
In a post-pandemic world, the way we work has fundamentally shifted. Many employees now operate from home or in hybrid situations, reducing the demand for expansive office square footage. Smaller, thoughtfully designed office spaces make more sense than ever. They’re cost-effective, flexible, and perfectly suited to today’s business landscape.
This approach not only saves on the resources required for new construction but also leverages the inherent value of properties that have been part of the city's fabric for decades. Businesses don’t have to venture out to sprawling office parks when there’s untapped potential in their own backyard.
Benefits of Staying Local
Using existing office space within the city offers several compelling advantages:
Reduced Commute Times: Centrally located offices allow employees to spend less time on the road, fostering a better work-life balance.
Combating Urban Sprawl: By revitalizing urban spaces, we help curb the need for further development in surrounding rural areas, preserving the beauty of the Charlottesville countryside.
Dynamic Workplaces: staying in downtown Charlottesville allows both mature and new companies to coexist, collaborate and enhance the commercial community, creating a more vibrant city where people want to live, visit and learn.
Design Creativity is the Key
At our building, affectionately called "9th East Jeff,” design creativity was the linchpin of the renovation. This project involved not just a facelift but a reimagining of how the building’s interior and exterior could best serve modern tenants. Flexible, smaller floor plans, modern design elements and the use of outdoor space are all examples of optimizing the building for today’s work dynamics.
The result? A fresh influx of both young startups and established companies now co-exist within the building. This blend of tenants fosters collaboration, innovation, and a sense of community. Smaller companies that might have struggled to afford larger commercial spaces now find viable, right-sized offices that meet their needs without unnecessary excess and expense.
9th East Jeff Tenants: Diversity in Spades
The current tenants in our building highlight the diversity that the rightsizing and flexibility of office space can convene. Generation180, located on the second floor of the building, is a nonprofit working to inspire and equip people to take action on clean energy. They are flipping the script on the climate narrative from doom and gloom to “we’ve got this!” to shift how people see their role in clean energy.
Just down the hallway from them is BMC Property Management, which is one of the area’s most unique property management firms with over 50 properties and approximately 250,000 square feet under their management. They steward single-family units, student apartments, medical and legal offices, along with retail and restaurant spaces and even the historic Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall.
Go up a floor and you’ll find folks hard at work in the Contraline offices and lab space where they are doing ground breaking work in the field of male contraception. Their research and trials could change the reproductive health landscape, improving the health and lifestyle of individuals and couples worldwide.
Step outside the main building to an adjacent single-story storefront and your nose will be the first to find Cumbre Coffee & Bakery. With their unique assortment of Argentinian pastries, empanadas, sandwiches and coffees, they may be everyone in the building’s favorite tenant.
Moving Forward
We believe that Charlottesville’s future (and the future of many urban areas) lies not in sprawling outward, but in revitalizing inward. Projects like 818 East Jefferson Avenue show us that with a little creativity and dedication, we can transform existing structures into vibrant, functional spaces that benefit businesses, employees, and the community as a whole.
As architects, we’re excited to continue leading the charge in preserving Charlottesville’s charm while adapting to the evolving needs of our city. If you’re a property owner looking to rethink your commercial real estate, let’s talk about how we can bring new life to old spaces—together.
