159 Armour Drive
Atlanta, GA

The transformation of this former 30,000sf one-story industrial facility into a 45,000sf two-story public assembly and event space represents a remarkable adaptive reuse project in our portfolio. The project included several design modifications to adjust and adapt the building heights and spaces to accommodate tenant requests. A new steel-framed clerestory section was added at the rear of the building, new wood framing and shear walls were used for the two-story space at the front of the building, and a full-height fire wall separation was added between the 1-story and 2-story spaces. Demolition required well-planned sequencing to maintain structural integrity and allow for design adjustments.

Other design challenges and adaptations during the course of the project included incorporating large storefront openings in wood and masonry walls, and incorporating large A/V equipment suspended from the roof framing at the event space. The most striking impression of the building occurs at the custom steel-framed front façade and a flying cantilever upper patio and sloped roof. Stability worked closely with the architecture team at Kronberg Urbanists + Architects to create a unique steel-framed colonnade and covered walkway with integrated steel plate roof and custom bent steel gutter which also serves as a rim beam. However, the most innovative aspect of the project may be the custom heavy timber column connections and engineered wood framing in the 2-story portion of the front of the building. The project required using a hybrid of materials to achieve the client’s goals, while the existing historic masonry façade and some architectural details were retained.