Approach

The concept for EVCO is to develop an office environment downtown that will attract and retain the creative class. Located in the East Village Arts District, this development will complement and enhance the existing arts community and creative firms such as JLOOP, The Designory and Gotama Engineering.

By removing past insensitive remodels, the intent is create three distinct buildings that complement each other. The existing red clay brick will be exposed on the western building (425 Fourth Street). The center structure (435 Fourth Street) will be set back to accommodate a street facing courtyard and paseo to the parking and will be mostly glass and siding. The eastern building (441 Fourth Street) will be stucco with steel and cement board accents. Interiors will be simple shells with exposed brick and block walls, concrete floors and wood ceilings with skylights. To encourage interaction between various tenants, a variety of outdoor open spaces are proposed including a shared courtyard, landscaped pedestrian paseo and parking court, and enhanced planting along Linden and Fourth Streets.

Sustainable design practices will be incorporated through out the development. Through adaptive reuse, the original building shell will be preserved and enhanced. New materials and building systems will embrace green building practices. Drought tolerant landscape will reduce the heat island affect and alternative modes of transportation such as biking, transit and walking will be encouraged. The development will be the first to comply with the City Green Building Policy.

Through façade improvements - including new storefronts, signage, lighting and landscape - the pedestrian realm along Linden, Fourth and Frontenac will be greatly enhanced and activated, creating a vibrant environment for the East Village.