The Willards-Hopkins Rehabilitation consists of the rehab and adaptive reuse of two historic masonry structures, each estimated to have been originally constructed in 1868.
The Willards building was a furrier doing fur trading throughout the area and the Hopkins was a Main Street commercial space with peculiarly small private “offices” on two levels above. It is local lore that the small “offices” were social meeting spaces for the trappers when they brought pelts and hides to the furrier. The use of a Main Street building for a house of ill-repute seems foreign, but social norms have changed in the 150 plus years these buildings have been sentries on the Main Street of Marshalltown Iowa.
While being two distinctly separate buildings both in configuration and style, the structures had to be configured as one consolidated building for the purpose of complying with modern building codes. The ground floor at Main Street remains commercial space as it has been for over a century and a half. The upper floors have been converted to apartments in sizes and configurations respectful to maintaining nearly all existing walls and openings. The design was to serve as more of rehabilitation than an apologetic adaptive reuse…
The building now has 13 residences and two commercial spaces. The stair-atrium of the Hopkins is the figurative and literal center piece of the interior. It has been restored to appear unchanged from over a century ago. Even the hand painted signage on the doors remains. The facades have been restored, life safety resolved, and the building is fully accessible.
The corner is anchored with the vitality of purpose.
Location: Marshalltown, IA
Program: Residential
Area: 25,478 SF
Client: MHS Properties
Photo Credits: Integrated Studio, Cameron Campbell