With 100,000 square feet, Wilhoit Plaza (formerly the C. Arch Bay
Building) is Springfield's first multi-use lifestyle center where people
really can live, work, shop, dine, and park downtown.
The renovation of 32 unique lofts was completed in August 2006. Features: secure entry into the
building, intercom system to buzz in guests, washer/dryer hookups in
every loft, stainless-steel dishwasher, stove/oven, microwave, and
refrigerator. On-site community washers and dryers are available, private parking lot.
This historic tax credit renovation was winner of the 2007 "Preserve Missouri Award" for outstanding preservation & rehabilitation of an historical building. Since 1926, the Wilhoit Building has occupied one of the largest commercial
blocks in downtown Springfield. Built for local oil magnate Edward M. Wilhoit,
the Wilhoit Building housed his company for decades. Other early tenants
included the Draghoun Business College and the Dillon Brothers Packard
Automobile Agency. The ground floor automobile service bays had low,
dropped ceilings and small rooms, while the upper floors contained a maze of
partitions.
In
2005, Matt Miller Company began a major
rehabilitation of the building. The project restored and reconstructed
all of the commercial storefronts, carefully replicating an
early vehicular door on the north wall. New
windows were installed on the north elevation to complement the original
fenestration.
On the rear elevation, construction of a new brick retaining wall and
stair
structures redefines the elevation and provides better access to the
second
floor apartments and to parking.
The ground floor now houses retail shops, restaurants, and a large office
tenant, while thirty-two spacious apartments fill the second floor. The formerly
rundown, partly vacant property is once again a vibrant element of Springfield's
revitalized downtown.
Image:
Matt Miller Company/Blue Block Lofts 431 S. Jefferson Ave., Suite 120, Springfield, Missouri 65806 Main Office: 417.889.0951 Lofts for Rent: 417.864.LOFT (5638) webmaster@mattmillercompany.com
