The challenges to working in a 140 year old building are many, but in re-purposing the available space, the satisfaction lies in overcome the obstacles that are encountered in doing so, all the while honoring and maintaining to the extent that is possible the original character of the structure.

Upon completing the design, required asbestos inspection, obtaining demolition and building permits, we began to renovate a potion of the 140 year old “back” section of the Makemson – Steele building on 8^th Street just off of the Square in downtown Georgetown. This section of the building has at various times in the past been part of a hotel, a mercantile, a bank, a restaurant, various storefronts, and office space, most recently housing the offices of Edward Jones Investing.

The primary focus was to provide a kitchen/break-room area for the employees of Farney – Daniels.

The back area where the break room was to go had not been touched for 20 years or so, and needed a complete makeover. The available plumbing and electrical service were not sufficient to meet the needs of the proposed usage of the space, the space was too small, and the floor and the ceiling were too low. We gutted the space down to the original hand hewn stone walls and the original roof trusses. We found and treated for termites. We installed new plumbing and a new 200 amp 3-phase electrical service. We raised the floor and the ceilings. We added structural elements to support enlarging the space. We re-framed new walls, and brought the entire space up to current building code standards. We added recessed can lighting and pressed tin ceilings throughout the space and finished all of the wall and flooring surfaces. We installed a completely new bathroom with a full shower. We upgraded the HVAC system and installed all new duct work. We added insulation to R-38 in the ceilings. We discovered extensive termite damage and another live termite colony living in the storefront entry to the office space. We rebuilt the store front and painted the entryway.

During the past when the space housed a Mexican restaurant a door to a back “patio” had been installed for access to the patio. Subsequently, during a major renovation of the main portion of the building a concrete loading dock was installed where the “patio” was and it “trapped” the door so that it was no longer operable or usable. We raised the door opening and in doing so had to acquire “permission” from the Historical and Architectural Control Commission because it constituted a modification to the exterior of a historical structure.

The new “kitchen” houses custom painted wood cabinets, commercial grade appliances including a  GE 21 cu. ft. counter depth refrigerator, a  GE 17.7 cu. ft. upright freezer, a GE fully integrated dishwasher, a GE over the range microwave oven, a 30” GE freestanding smooth-top electric range, and a commercial under-counter Scotsman ice maker that produces nugget ice. We also installed a Fagor “all in one” washer/dryer combination unit.

In addition to the new “break-room” we installed 2 custom-made 9’ x 3’ longleaf pine doors with Industrex obscure glass, and 3 custom partition windows with fluted glass to both allow access to and keep separated from the existing space in the rest of the building.

Thinking about building a commercial project in the Austin area?

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Email me at tim@tatoddconstruction.com

Before you search engine “Columbarium”; I will summarize it for you.

The dictionary defines a columbarium as “A vault with niches for urns containing ashes of the dead.”  And technically that is exactly what it is.  Although that makes it sound so unpersonal.  Let’s try a different definition. “A columbarium is a place for the respectful and usually public storage of cinerary urns. The term comes from the Latin columba (dove) and originally referred to compartmentalized housing for doves and pigeons; see dovecote.”

First United Methodist Church Georgetown
Grace Gardens

This project was the vision of many in the church, a desire to build a final resting place for its members.  The ideas and thoughts were were brought to life by Voelter Associates Inc. of Georgetown Texas, and the landscaping plan  by David Bost Group of Round Rock Texas.   Award winning designer Linda McCalla also helped with the project. 

The project features 180 companion niches with the ability to expand for future niches.  7 custom light fixtures from Texas Light Smith add to the ambiance of the space.

Two very special pieces were included in this project.  The first is a beautiful fountain, and the second is a stunning statue. Both were donated by families who were involved in the planning of the project.

For more information, or to plan construction for your churches Columbarium.  We travel all over the central texas, and would love to sit down with your planning committee.  Call our office today. 512.930.5188

Kitchen Remodel at the Schwertner Ranch

• Gutted existing kitchen sans the cabinets and floor tile
• installed custom island cabinet with butcher block top, installed granite countertops, installed custom potrack, installed new backsplash
• All new commercial grade appliances.

Schwertner Ranch Event Center: “A memorable event is our pledge to you. Set amidst a real working cattle ranch overlooking a twenty acre lake, your guests will enjoy one of the most panoramic views in the Williamson County area. Our fine staff will help you plan your event  and ensure that it goes off without a hitch.”