Second rising

Loft project at the old Holsum Bread Factory site nears completion

BY TONY ILLIA

The Holsum Bread Factory, a longtime Las Vegas landmark that closed in 2002, is rising anew. An eight-month redevelopment effort by LaPour Partners, Inc. has breathed life into the 51-year-old industrial building.

The 41,650-square-foot bakery underwent a $6.5-million upgrade and expansion, transforming it into the Holsum Lofts -- a series of chic, boutique retail stores, showrooms and art galleries. Scheduled to open Feb. 15, the Lofts are situated on 2.6 acres on West Charleston Boulevard near Interstate 15, where, an estimated 70,000 vehicles pass daily.

"All vibrant cities have the old and the new, and it's important that they coexist," says Jeffrey LaPour, president of LaPour Partners, Inc. "But it actually cost more money to save the structure than build anew.

"If can you link those different elements, then it becomes a winning combination for everyone."

The modernized mixed-use building now houses 15 flats and seven lofts, with tenants ranging from a 1,000-square-foot Home Expressions showroom to the 1,500-square-foot Grill at Charleston.

Whipping the building into shape was a task that fell to TWC Construction, Inc. of Henderson. The former bakery building required a thorough gutting, including new electrical, mechanical and life-safety systems, plus asbestos and lead-paint removal.

Despite this, the improved structure retains much of its original feel, with stained concrete floors and wood bow truss ceilings. It embraces its roots, while still fashioning a hip contemporary atmosphere.

Stephen Jackson and Westar Architects of Las Vegas served as the project architect.

"This is the oldest renovation ever done in Las Vegas," says Rick Welch, TWC's project superintendent. "Most often, buildings this old are just demolished. In this case, however, it held historic and cultural value that LaPour wanted to preserve."

The single-level, L-shaped building's heavy timber ceiling, steel detailing and wide-open spaces reflect its mid-century design. The building's iconic signage and neon clock that reads "hours fresher" was also restored.

One of the project's major challenges entailed bringing more natural light into a dark interior. TWC added 43 new metal-framed windows to accomplish that task, plus another 36 skylights. The end result is an airy day-lit interior within a large warehouse space.

The aging building, however, held several surprises for its contractor. There was, for example, a 22-inch metal pipeline buried underground that had been abandoned. And when TWC went to expand the building, it realized that a portion of the foundation was missing. Apparently, an addition had been done to the original structure without using footings.

The block building lacked detailed plans and schematics. So restoration often meant a slow and tedious process of discovery. Despite this, TWC successfully finished the eight-month project on time, employing up to 60 people during the height of construction. The efforts paid off with a spectacular looking building that is both old and new.

The Holsum Bread Factory's rolled roofline was retained, keeping the building's original character intact. Meanwhile, new amenities like shade canopies, a glass-enclosed arcade and a 3,000-square-foot, landscaped courtyard were added. A traffic signal was installed at Charleston Boulevard and Grand Central Parkway for easy access, with expanded parking for 120 vehicles. The building's work-play environment now serves as a gateway to downtown Las Vegas.

"[The Holsum Lofts] are unique and authentic, not fabricated to look old," LaPour says. "There's been a great deal of interest in the project. We found the right location at the right time."

The Future of Las Vegas is Growing Tall

February 1, 2005

When it comes to great views of the city, the Stratosphere is getting a lot of competition. Condo developers are offering Las Vegans a view out of their own windows. Right now downtown is the hot spot for high rises, but will people really leave the suburbs to live in a tower? News 3's Denise Rosch shows us who developers are targeting.

" New York has its villages. Las Vegas will have its districts."

It's a future literally mapped out in downtown Las Vegas -- from Club Renaissance, to Soho lofts; the building trend is up. It’s less land, better views for a new breed of home buyer.

"All the kids are off to college, they're empty nesters, don't want to deal with a yard anymore -- and have all the conveniences of the city." Grant Garcia says condo living just makes sense in Las Vegas where much of our open land is BLM and off limits to developers. Still, that doesn't mean sacrificing style -- "You have granite countertops, stainless steel range."

Garcia admits the downtown lifestyle might not appeal to large families. Here the pool is on the roof instead of in the backyard. It's a give and take -- with more and more buyers ready for change.

"I'm starting to see a lot of locals that are looking for that urban and true city living -- looking into downtown they see how fast downtown is moving. According to a spokesperson for the city, there are at least 8 condo projects in various stages of development in downtown alone.

Right now condos are a hotter seller than houses despite the high price tags. The National Association of Realtors says the median price for a condo or town home in Las Vegas is 170,000 dollars.