Sol Harris Day Architecture

With the revitalization of downtown Mount Vernon being at the forefront for this small college town, the need for temporary housing for visiting college professors and traveling health care professionals created the perfect opportunity to re-invigorate an existing downtown block. The corner of Main Street and Gambier Street, an intersection that was previously inconsequential to look at, has now become a hub for downtown Mount Vernon. The project began with a vision for bringing this block back to life in the Victorian Style that this town was founded on. Historic colors were used to create a charming affect with colored storefronts, segmenting a flat facade to give a row-house effect.

Services

  • Facilities Assessment
  • Space Utilization
  • Visioning
  • Estimating/Scheduling
  • Visualizations and Graphics
  • Architecture
  • Interior Design
  • FF&E
  • Construction Services

Building Organization

Along with preserving and updating the look of the exterior of this building, the large, dilapidated apartment flats were transformed into 16 economical one- and two-bedroom condos. These spaces yielded many surprises and opportunities to celebrate the history of the building. One such surprise was the 8-foot diameter wheel found in one of the attic crawlspaces. This wheel is believed to be used in the original construction of the building to raise materials, such as the brick, into place. It still spins today!

Before these renovations there was a series of attic spaces that were unusable, with either no light and no flooring or no access. These areas were transformed into cozy reading and workspaces. Another opportunity arose when several low height additions were removed from the second floor of the building. By opening up these areas, additional natural light is able to flow into these interior spaces that were once uncomfortable and dark.

The decision to restore the extents of the building to its original 1850's footprint allowed for the creation of an outdoor terrace. This space offers additional amenities for the tenants, giving them access to gas grills and firepits, as well as year-round exterior seating.

This downtown economic development effort has brought vibrancy to the area with 16 beautiful new condos, an amazing outdoor patio area designed to promote resident interactions, safe and attractive parking options, and stunning retail facades along downtown’s main corridor.

Kim Rose, Mount Vernon Development Company President

Interior Concept

The condos were designed with a contemporary aesthetic that combined with the charming details of an 1850’s building, creating temporary spaces that feel more like home. Utilizing economically sized bedrooms allowed the kitchen and living room spaces to be open concept, taking full advantage of the natural light.

Color, once again, was used on the inside, creating wayfinding and a sense of home. Four color schemes were developed so that that no two neighbors would have the same color cabinets and finishes. Each entry door into the building is a different color to enhance the wayfinding and to serve as a community building tool.

Parking

Another aspect of the design was to develop spaces for residents to park. There were several gravel and dilapidated lots on an adjacent street but nothing that combined beauty with functionality. Six different parking lots were chosen to revitalize. One of these was the existing Rotary Park parking area that offers a scenic Riverview destination and connection to the local bike path. Now tenants are able to walk from their cars to their homes on well lit, tree lined, streets.

Highlights

  • Created a new hub for downtown businesses
  • Re-invigorate a block of downtown Mt. Vernon with Victorian style architecture
  • Created comfortable and convenient housing for visiting college professors and traveling health care professionals working in and around Mt Vernon

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K-12

Alliance City SchoolsAshland County-West Holmes Career CenterCanton City SchoolsCarrollton Exempted Village SchoolsCentral Catholic High SchoolChippewa Local SchoolsCrestwood Local SchoolsCuyahoga Valley Christian AcademyThe Golden Key for Exceptional ChildrenGreen Local Schools (Green, Ohio)Green Local Schools (Smithville, Ohio)Indian Creek Local SchoolsJackson Local SchoolsLake Local SchoolsMarlington Local SchoolsMassillon City SchoolsNordonia Hills City School DistrictNorth Canton City SchoolsNorthwest Local SchoolsOsnaburg Local SchoolsPerry Local SchoolsRG Drage Career Technical CenterRootstown Local SchoolsSandy Valley Local SchoolsSolon City SchoolsSt. Michael SchoolStark County Board of Developmental DisabilitiesStrasburg-Franklin Local SchoolsTallmadge City SchoolsTriway Local SchoolsWayne County Schools

Higher Education

Ashland UniversityBelmont CollegeBethany CollegeBluffton UniversityThe College of WoosterGrove City CollegeIndiana Wesleyan UniversityKent State UniversityKenyon CollegeMalone UniversityMount Vernon Nazarene UniversityNorth Central State CollegeStark State CollegeThe Ohio State UniversityUniversity of AkronUniversity of Mount UnionWalsh UniversityWashington State Community College

Workplace

3D Business AcceleratorAdvanced Storage SystemsAirtex ProductsAkron-Canton AirportAkron Community FoundationASC IndustriesArtsinStarkBekaertBridgestone AmericasCampbell Oil CompanyCarroll County TransitCutler RealtorsDiebold NixdorfDix CommunicationsEnvironmental Design GroupFedex Custom CriticalFirst MeritGE CapitalGreat Lakes ConstructionIn The RoundKiko Auctioneers and RealtorsLean DogLG FuelNational Inventors Hall of FameNickles BakeryPegasus FarmPenske TruckPro Car Automotive GroupProgressive InsuranceS.D. Myers IndustriesSecuritas Electronic SecurityStark Community FoundationSummit County Department of Job & Family ServicesSterling JewelersStruktol Company of AmericaTaylor BankThe Timken CompanyStark County CommissionersTomTod Ideas Inc.United Glass and Panel SystemsUnited Way of Greater Stark CountyThe Vasco GroupYoung Truck

Recreation

Alliance Country ClubAlliance Family YMCAAshland County ParksBoy Scouts of AmericaBrookside Country ClubBucyrus Area YMCACambridge YMCACampCarl.lifeCongress Lake Country ClubEric Snow YMCA (Downtown Canton)Ernie's Bicycle ShopFirestone Country ClubGeauga Park DistrictGirl Scouts of North East OhioGlenmoor Country ClubLakota YMCALouisville YMCAMassillon Boys & Girls ClubMinerva YMCAMount Vernon YMCAMurfreesboro Tennis ComplexMuskingum Watershed Conservancy DistrictNorth Canton YMCAParamount Tennis ClubPaul & Carol David YMCA (Jackson)Pegasus FarmShady Hallow Country ClubSilver Lake Country ClubStark ParksStark County Wilderness CenterTiffin Community YMCATuscarawus County YMCAWestbrook Country ClubYMCA of Central Stark County

Other

A.H. Wilson BuildingAlmost Heaven Homemade Ice CreamAmerican Development CompanyAmerimar Enterprises, Inc.Aultman FoundationAultman HospitalBair's PowersportsBAM Healthy CuisineBenders TavernBoggs ChiropracticBolivar Volunteer Fire DepartmentBrewster Fire DepartmentCanton Baptist TempleCanton Palace TheatreCanton TownshipCanton Township FireCapstone Real Estate InvestmentsCarroll County District LibraryChapel Hill Retirement CommunityThe Chapel in AkronChrist Community Chapel in HudsonCity of CantonCity of WoosterCoshocton Port AuthorityDeVille DevelopmentsDeHoff DevelopmentDowntown FordFirst Friends ChurchGastroenterology SpecialistsGoddard SchoolsGrace United Methodist ChurchGreentown United Methodist ChurchHampton InnHeartland Behavior HealthHoly Trinity Greek Orthodox ChurchHoover HouseJackson TownshipLake TownshipThe Lenzy Family InstituteLeopard Town TwirlersLiberty Development CompanyLions Lincoln TheatreLimbauch BuildingsLouisville Public LibraryMassillon Fire DepartmentMassillon Heritage FoundationMassillon MuseumMassillon Public LibraryMeniru Medical OfficesMinerva Champer of CommerceMissionView ChurchNational First Ladies LibraryPerry Township Police DepartmentPetitti Garden CenterThe Pickwick PlaceThe Pines Lakeside TherapyPlain TownshipPlain Township Fire DepartmentPro Football Hall of FameProgressive ChryslerQuonset HutRose Lane Nursing & RehabilitationSARTAScriptShop PharmacySeville-Guilford Township Fire and EMSShady Lawn Nursing & RehabilitationSmithville Fire DepartmentSpring Hill Historic HomeStark County Department of Job & Family ServicesStark County District LibrarySt. Edward HotelSt. Lukes Lutheran HomeSt. Mary's Catholic ChurchSt. Michael the Archangel ParishSt. Michael Lutheran ChurchSt. Stephens Lutheran Martyr ChurchTraditions at Bath Road Nursing HomeTrillium Family SolutionsUnion HospitalWooly Pig Farm BreweryWooster Community Hospital

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