Historic downtown building to be renovated into apartments

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Davies Building, located on Kansas Avenue, was constructed in the 1800s and will now serve the community as a downtown apartment complex.

When the building went on sale, Falk architects purchased it and plan to transform it into updated downtown apartments. They are keeping the buildings’ old charm, including sliding doors and stained-glass windows, but also adding skylights and rooftop access.

The building stood out to the team because of the prime location and classic design.

“I like using what I’ve learned as an architect to help my community. And so, I see cool buildings like this that just need somebody to go and do what I’m doing,” Architect Bryan Falk said. “You know, it’s got a beauty and a character of its own, and we’re just going to kind of enhance it and complement and bring it back to what it was.”

The structure is a protected historical building, which means the project will have to follow guidelines for refurbishing the property.

Benefits like the Neighborhood Revitalization Program keep the project cost-effective.

“Honestly, you can’t build these types of buildings anymore. It’s way too expensive,” Architect Bryan Falk said. “So just protecting them, preserving them, hopefully, you know, for the next hundred years would be the goal. That’s what excites me about it.”

The new apartments will have two storefronts downstairs, with one still available to lease. The architectural firm will start accepting bids to build the apartments this fall and plans to start leasing units next summer.

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