Downtown Retail Adaptive Reuse

Revived Facade with New Storefront and Windows, Renovated Interior from Restaurant to Public Retail Floors and Private Employee Areas

Black and gold storefront with ornate cast iron facade with black gooseneck light fixtures

Nestled in Boston’s financial district, is this 200+ year old gem. This Federal style building was home to a variety of mercantile businesses throughout the 1800s and operated as a restaurant and bar in its more recent years.

The Starting Point: An Abandoned Downtown Boston Restaurant

Existing Restaurant and Bar Prior to Conversion into Retail Cannabis Facility

  • The boarded storefront of a former restaurant in downtown Boston's Financial District, with a vintage Market sign above the entrance.
  • A ground-level bar with exposed wood beams and taps, prior to renovation.
  • A second-level bar with red upholstered seating and a mounted television.
  • An entry vestibule with wood paneling and an illuminated exit sign
  • A dim bar standing area with exposed wood beams leading past a service counter
  • A former dining room with wood-framed windows and mismatched chairs.

During design development, collaging fixtures, finishes and furniture is a quick way to test whether an aesthetic direction is reflective of the client’s brand.

Learn more about the commercial design process.

Vacant since 2016, this building's charm and heavy timber framing were reason enough for a full restoration.

Solving the Puzzle

Transforming a Multi-Level Restaurant into a Boutique Retail Store

  • When restoring existing commercial buildings, accessibility requirements should be part of initial design discussions. Massachusetts requires building upgrades based upon project costs in comparison to the value of the building. Establishing your scope of work early will help anticipate modifications that may need to be made and allocate resources accordingly.

    Access for persons with disabilities should always be considered in public spaces. Evaluating the building entrance for either the integration of a ramp or lift, can create equal opportunity for people of all abilities. Though unable to install an elevator at this property, a once inaccessible entrance was reworked to accommodate a low sloping ramp by regrading the existing brick in the public courtyard. On the interior of the building, the accessible ground level was designed to accommodate all products and services that may also be found on level two.

  • Circulation in and around a building is dictated first by code requirements and then modified where possible to respond to the specific needs of the business. In a high traffic facility like this one, where security is a primary concern, separate entry and exit vestibules were integrated into the ground level layout.

    Given the already limited floor plate, we aimed to maximize the sales area while considering the flow of traffic through the vestibules and the required clearances for standing area and accessibility.

  • In small buildings like this one, being deliberate with the programing of each square foot will impact customer experience and sales. It made most sense that level one would be designated as grab and go for customers who either previously placed an order or intend to be quick with their decision making. Fewer floor displays and a built-in wall of glass cabinetry behind the POS counter keeps the focus on the point of sale. A central open space provides more area for a line to form and less to meander. We also incorporated a private meeting room for guests who are unable to travel up to level 2 but desire a more personalized experience.

  • Customers will find this slower paced environment intended for a personalized experience with a comfortable waiting nook, designated display area and ample room at each point of sale. With the primary building circulation isolated to one corner, there was opportunity to shape the space in a way that would encourage social interaction and inquiry of the products.

Building Section Illustrating Public and Private Program by Level

The Finished Product

Black granite waterfall check in counter with sliding transaction window, gold texture wall covering, terracotta vases with ferns and black wall sconces.
Green textured tile laid in a woven pattern at a custom POS with three registers, custom glass displays, heavy timber beams and red concrete lights with gold accent wall covering.
Glass displays with gold texture wall covering and a Jamaica map under original heavy timber beams with a private meeting room beyond.
relationship between vestibule check in window and POS counter with display beyond under original heavy timber beams.

With a desire to blend the original architecture with elements of Jamaican and Rastafarian culture, we created a boutique retail experience characterized by the old heavy timber beams, vibrant colors and rich textures.

Retail custom cash wrap with drawers and open shelving for equipment and storage with black displays beyond and large horizontal windows under original heavy timber beams.
Retail seating area with custom Jamaican art, leather couch and chair, black accent pieces over red rug with black sconce lighting under original heavy timber beams.
Main staircase featuring textured red wall covering, black railings and skirt board with step lights.
Detail of green texture tile installed in a woven pattern at a custom POS counter in a Boston retail building.

Boston Multi-Level Retail

Project Impact: Working within a petite 900 sf footprint, this multi-level transformation turned a vacant restaurant into a fully functional retail operation with efficient retail flow, ample storage and a distinct cultural flare throughout. From the storefront to the employee workroom, the design carries a unique aesthetic from top to bottom.

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