Whitesel Building - 131 West Grace Street, Harrisonburg, VA
 

Built in the late 1940’s this brick and wood structure remained
largely unchanged and in continuous use. Originally it was a tractor
and farm equipment dealership which featured a large freight
elevator for ferrying tractors to the second floor, dramatic bowstring
metal trusses and heavy, face-nailed oak floors. Blue Ridge Design
Studio was hired to convert the 16,000 square foot building to art
studios, gallery, theater costume shop and offices for use by James
Madison University. The building’s Owner used Historic Preservation
Tax Credits to help finance the renovation. Our plan preserved the
building’s character-defining elements including a large steel and
wood sliding doors, exposed trusses and steel-framed windows.
Project was completed January of 2006.