Behind an unassuming storefront in the 400 block of Main St. big things are happening. Ellicott Development in partnership with McGuire Development is nearing the final stages of renovating the former Baker’s Shoes building located at 456 Main Streeet, just behind the Lafayette Square Metrorail station. The complex spans the entire width of the block with an eight-story building on Pearl Street.
The top four floors will be used for twelve apartments, eight of which will be two-bedroom units and the remaining four will be one-bedroom units. Unit sizes range from 1150 to 1450 square feet with the first apartments expected to be finished and move-in ready this Fall.
All residents will have parking under the building which features an original terrazzo floor. Two bedroom-units will be get two parking spaces and the one-bedroom units will get one parking space. Another interesting aspect is the planned reuse of the original elevator car which will contain the residents’ mail boxes.
There are three different floorplans for the units and all will have in-unit laundry. Every apartment boasts interesting and unique features such as original wooden floors, exposed brick walls, curved plaster window sills, massive industrial style windows, or structural steel clad in curved brick.
So many of these elements are being retained as Ellicott Development is working with the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service to have the building listed on the National Register. For example, the windows on Pearl St. are massive 12 foot high double-hung sash wooden windows which will be replaced in-kind.
Currently two units have already been leased and two to three more leased are pending, and the company hasn’t even advertised the building yet (contact Ellicott Development for pricing and availability). Commercial space is planned for the lower floors. Bryant and Stratton College has decided not to expand into the building. The Main Street entrance will include building out a glass storefront to the edge of the façade and refurbishing the existing metal canopy.
Ellicott Development is looking for office or retail tenants for the first through third floors which are 8500 sq. ft., 4600 sq. ft., and 4600 sq. ft. respectively. These floors can either be built-out or retain a wide open floor plan, having the same hardwood flooring, exposed brick walls, large windows, and indoor parking as the upper residential floors.
Get Connected: Ellicott Development, 716.854.0060