Saigebrook & O-SDA Open the New Alton Plaza
ALTON PLAZA is an adaptive reuse of Longview’s historic Petro- leum Building, originally built in the 1953 as a 5-story parking garage. In 1956, the building’s upper 3 stories were converted into offices, and the entire building was redesigned by famed Houston architecture firm Wilson, Morris, Crain, & Anderson. The building became a centerpiece of downtown Longview for decades, with offices and an iconic Southern diner, “The Coffee
Shop,” until the building closed in the 1990 due to the discovery of asbestos.
For over 25 years, the office building sat vacant, ing into disrepair, extensively vandalized. The City of Longview considered it for demolition until Saigebrook Development purchased it in 2018, using Low-Income 9% Housing Tax Credits and Historic Tax Credits. The City of Longview provided loan funds to assist with the acquisition and rehabilitation as an alternative to demolishing the building.
Now, the Petroleum Building has a third life as a mixed-income apartment community in the heart of downtown Longview. The project consists of 48 units, 68% of which are affordable at 30%, 50%, and 60% area median income. The exterior façade of the build- ing remains the same architectural masterpiece of Wilson, Morris, Crain, & Anderson, including original windows, massing, and prominent building sign, while the interior has been transformed into a colorful modern apartment homes and shared commu- nity space.
The historic nature of the building means that community spaces and units are unique and reflect the rich history and other uses of the Petro- leum Building. Through creative architecture and engineering, as well as careful preservation and construction, each unit within this building has a unique floorplan and shape. Original floor-to-ceiling windows give several units unparalleled views of downtown Longview. The preser- vation of original wall tiles, marble and flooring maintains the buildings’ unique historic feel, while new finishes add clean modernity to the units and community spaces. Interior decoration is a mix of creatively reused historic photographs and antiques, and colorful modern flair.
Resident Profile: This property serves families at a variety of income levels; 4 affordable at 30% AMI, 7 affordable at 50% AMI, 22 affordable at 60% AMI, and 15 market rate. Green initiative: Alton Plaza is NGBS-Silver Certified, as well as being inherently environmentally friendly by virtue of being a historic rehabilitation instead of a new build. Units feature resilient materials, high-efficiency Energy Star appliances and high-efficiency lighting. Special design features: High-efficiency appliances and lighting, washer and dryer connections, solid surface counters and flooring, tiled tub sur- rounds, secured entry and walkable, downtown living.
Longview, Texas
www.affordablehousinngtexas.com “Building Bright Futures”
Megan Lasch Page 6 TALHFA Lisa Stephens Fall 2020
Talk
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