The Journal Times from Racine, Wisconsin • 40

2D te" Journal Times, Sunday, August 24, 1966 Racine, Wis. Basinets Properties hoop mvhum Basic structure work done been painted blue with the upper plaster wall in white. New concrete has topped what Tobias described as ok) rickety floors. "Unfortunately with new heating and ventilation the ceilings must be dropped in the middle but the original ceiling will remain around the windows," he said. Dr.

Snoop's office still sports it's wooden walls and fireplace. Tobias said the fireplace is inoperable but it has been wired electrically so it can be used. Tin walls and ceilings in addition to a fireplace have been preserved in the sitting room located in the tower at the building's northwest corner. Also in the northwest corner was a main staircase which serviced five floors. This had to be removed because it didn't meet city codes.

A freight elevator also had to be removed. Two elevators and stairwells have been added. "Modern code requirements take an awful lot of room out of a building," Tobias said. He estimates that new bathrooms and elevators encompass a 16-by 40-foot-space. Original support poles remain throughout the building.

Curiously, some of the poles are made of cast iron and others are made of wood, Tobias said. "That means they've gotta be pretty old." he said. By Susm M. Zaeske 'Journal Times t)r. C.I.

Shoop may have stopped mixing his "all curative" restorative in 1910, but the structure he built in 1902 for manufacturing the concoction is getting a dose of restoration itself these days. Before redevelopment began on the Shoop Building, its address was 215 State St. However, the addition of a new entrance has changed it to 222 Main St. The 896,196 cubic-foot building was purchased and is being remodeled by the Johnson Redevel- rnt Corp. City building permits the ow ner's estimated cost for the project is $1.9 million.

"Trying to match the old with the new is a real challenge," said Dick Tobias, superintendant of construction for Camosy Construction Company, which is working on the Shoop Building. "We are at this point virtually completed with the basic building," Tobias said. He explained that prices are now being prepared for prospective tenants. Tenants will then give their requirements for construction of office space and the finat phase of construction will begin. "Basically what we have done is brought the whole east plaza area for access to the city's parking ramp," Tobias said.

Architects' plans show that trees, benches, plants and flagpoles will be added. Tobias said that work on the exterior began by cleaning bricks and replacing lose mortar. The building changed from a blackish color to tan during this process, he said. "It is a meticulous, time-consuming job The building is a composite. It's been enlarged several times and each time they used a different style," Tobias said.

He said the project is taking longer than expected but the city's parking ramp should be finished by the end of the month. Thermopanes have replaced what Tobias called windows that were much like plate glass on the inside of the building. "We've retained the original fancy cut glass windows from the entrance to put in the northeast corner," Tobias said. "They were within a hare's breath of being gone because someone tried to buy them from an interim owner." As much as possible of the orig-nal window frames were saved, he said. Old walls, made with horsehair and plaster applied to wood lathes, have been replaced with dry wall and pine doors have been added.

Wainscoting runs throughout the building. The original wood has Attorney Peter Jansson Main PDace accLhiiittecs cetoBim hnstocSc beaotoes rr, "Sottas Mil 1 Ill HI 1 CTtwck D'Acquisto. Journal Time obscurred by the ceihng that had to be lowered for air conditioning and fire sprinklers. Main Place has a fire security system that closes doors if fire is detected so the fire doesn't spread. Also, tenants must have a key to enter the outer doors and a security card to enter inner doors.

Other features that were saved are part of a tin ceiling that is highlighted in the basement barbershop. Just down the hall are tiles of an arched ceiling which are still in place from the Turkish bathhouse, that occupied the hotel from 1893 to 1941. Brian Anderson of Osprey Management Inc. said the devel opers wanted to save the tiles which covered the basement but couldn't' do so because they crack. Around the corner in the building's postal center are antique mailboxes that were found in the Racine post office, Anderson said.

"Peter Jansson (attorney) has bought antiques for his office space He's kept the character of the old." Anderson said. Jansson's offi ce is decorated in the mezzanine sports antique furniture and indirect fighting to preserve the barreled ceiling. The east lobby, which is currently unoccupied, has had extensive re-finishing, Anderson said. Cherubs float along the tin upper walls and ceiling "What was done, was done with historical care," Murphy said. "It was quite a challenge." FOR LEASE WESTGATE MALL.

Several new national tenants mates Westgate the retail space to be in Racine. Only a lew good spots remain. Competitive terms. AMERICAN BUILDING: Washington Avenue and Highway 31. Two professional suites available.

Parking. $814 WASHINGTON AVENUE: Brick house otters the ultimate tor the image -minded professional. Highly adaptable. Off-street parking. 622 HIGH STREET: Northside retail store includes two-story vault.

Excellent visibility and traffic. SOUTHSIOE RETAIL. SPACE: Sizes range from 1 ,850 square feet to over 16,000 square feet. Reasonable terms. CONTACT JOHN CRIMMINGS OR BOB FERGUS slj 1100 N.

MAIN ST. 837-9801 The Shoop parking ramp is Two new Chuck D'Acquisto, Journal Times scheduled to be open next month. parking ramps will add spaces downtown works in his Main Place office. graphs of the buildings and made some radical corrections to some remodeling done in subsequent years," Murphy said. He said some of the historically attractive features on the exterior of the Nelson Hotel were destroyed by previous owners.

Windows in the south facade had been bricked in and the developers replaced its glass. Ornamental para pits on the roof had been taken off and those were also rebuilt. The interior of the buildings had be completely gutted for remo deling. "There was nothing worth saving on the inside," Murphy said. Again in the interior, historical fixtures were destroyed.

Murphy mentioned a wood paricay floor that was torn up and used for firewood by previous owners. All the original heating, electrical and elevator equipment was taken out of the buildings and replaced in the atrium addition. Anderson said placing the mechanical equipment in the new part of the building helps retain its historical characteristics because it doesn't take up any room in the buildings. The glass addition, which replaces a one story tavern that was formerly located between the buildings, is set back from the front of the building so as not to detract from the original architecture. Some historical aspects of the buildings have been saved, such as solid metal pillars that -run up through the entire building.

Although fluted columns remain, their decorative scrollwork capitals are VACANT LAND Fergus Ave. Zoned M-1 $30T00C 2.77acres East Frontage Rd. $125,160 zoned A.u.H. 1 8.68 acres Hiahwav31 to 32 $161,000 23 acres Zoned M-1 R-3 Douglas 3 Mile Rd. $180,000 I Zoned B-2 1.6 acres! IHwy.

20-East of IKilbourn $215,0001 Zoned Off-Highway 2.25 acres service We Have Space For Von! BUY or RENT! ERY NELSEN RIAL ESTATE 637-4820 rlffl MLS an na economic, attractive. By Susan M. Zaeske Journal Times Antique mailboxes, tin ceilings and marble walls reflect the ambiance of days gone by for those who amble through Main Place, a recently remodled downtown building. The former Nelson Hotel, which was build in 1857. and the Wisconsin Electric Power Co.

building just north of it, built in 1903, were purchased and reconstructed by the Johnson Redevelopment Corp. The project involved joining the two buildings and renovating them inside and out "We tried to retain the essence of that time by using contemporary material," explained John Murphy of Architectural Associates which designed Main Place. "We wanted to mate together the two buildings We chose glass so it wouldn't compete with the two architectural styles." A glass atrium was built to connect the former electric company building and the former hotel, which is listed on the state and national historic registers. State Histo-' rial Society standards required that 75 percent of the existing exterior remain. Murphy said the society preferred that redevelopers build with contemporary materials rather than attempt to imitate the old.

City building permits show that the owner's estimated cost of remodeling the 537,449 cubic-foot Main Place structure was about $1.6 million. "We went back to very old photo COMMERCIAL 6 UnM Briefc apartment building at 1917 Fatrvtew Terrac. In excellent condition. Each unit has living room. 1 bedroom, kitchen and bath.

All large rooms. Motivated seller says sen at $125,000. 1409 8th St. 6400 sq. ft.

bloc building having 1-2 zoning, allowing light industrial, body paint shop and many other heavy uses. Offered at $114,900. Immediate occupancy available. SO PLUS ACRES On Hwy. 20 across from the Sheraton Racine.

Offered al $475,000. CaH tor particulars. Commercial zoning very possible. High St. Over 5000 sq, ft.

of building Including office area. Offered at only $42,900 Call for particulars. 7140 Washington Ave. (Hwy 20) Vacant land 4.73 acres, 240x657. Across from Sheraton Racine.

Zoned B-3 for commercial use. Leasing Managing Agent for Western Village Shopping Center. Only one commercial space available at the present time. Call for particulars. PETERSON REALTY 1144 Blaine Ave.

632-9700 886-5045 Fast erection, spaces for public use will be the nicest-looking parking ramp in the state, City Development Director Thomas Wright says. The city's fourth downtown ramp, west of Lake Avenue between 3rd and 4th streets, will cost about $2.1 million and have three parking levels, Jenn said. Plans at this point call for all spaces to be open to the public. Construction of the Lake Avenue ramp is to begin this fall and be completed in mid-summer 1987, Jenn said. Whether downtown parking is available depends on where people need to park.

On an average day, it's difficult finding a space around the courthouse. However, parking in lakefront lots or the 300-space ramp in the 500 block of Wisconsin Avenue is frequently available. "The (240-space) McMynn ramp is used very heavily," Jenn said. That ramp is located at the corner of Main and 7th streets. By Mike Hilt journal Times RACINE Two new parking ramps, added to nearly 2.00 downtown metered spaces, will mean more parking spots on the north side of downtown.

The 220-space Shoop parking ramp is expected to be ready to use about Sept. 5 and the city's fourth downtown parking ramp with 365 spaces is to be completed within a year. Even more downtown parking spaces may be added in the future after the city's lakefront festival site is completed, officials said. "We will need some additional parking" said City Traffic Engineer Clair Jcnn, for peak periods during lakefront activities. The $1.5 million, five-level Shoop ramp in the 200 block of Wisconsin Avenue expected to provide 120 square feet of "prime first class" office space on the market, Schwallier said downtown retail and living spaces will fill up before the office spaces, he said.

A lot of work remains to be done downtown before it is vital again. But the long-term prognosis of "Doctor" Lang and her partners is that it will regain its health. "Otherwise we wouldn't have invested $1 million," she said. GOOD COMMERCIAL PROPERTY! Over 1,300 sq. ft.

with easy access from busy streets. 4 garages and paved parking. Nice upstairs rental apartment adds value to this well-maintained all-brick building. 858,900 CUSTOMIZED BRICK OFFICE, attractively planned, zoned B-2, plus separate 2 bedroom house and adjacent vacant lot. High-traffic location.

842,000 AUTO REPAIR SHOP with estimated 1,500 sq. ft. plus office. 5-6 car working area with hoist, gas heat and 12 ft. overhead door.

Includes store front (850 sq. ft) and a 1 bedroom apartment above. 57,000 NICHOLS ZEUNGER, INC. 8332 Corporate Drive 886-4400 0 City (Continued from Page ID) Company. Scott McCuaig, resident manager of the building, sai it is 95 percent occupied.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. So are two other downtown buildings advertised asftiaving "Class office space Main Place. 245 Main h'd the Shoop building, 222 Main St. Anderson's Osprey Management lc. is ihe leasing agent for those I vo properties.

The first tenant moved into Main lace in June 1985. The building is 5 percent rented, said Anderson. Fine Investment 13 000 so. ft on 1st ttoor. 9O0O sq ft in basemen! Property is zoned B-1 Great potential as Mim-Mall or 1 tenant occupant Many financing possibilities.

Presently leased Call today ottered at $325,000 Great Opportunity you have a need to shelter income Call today for information on this 10-tamily unit. Be lure and aft about the possibility of owner-assist financing. Listed at S22S.0O0 West Racine This In brick property with over 3360 sq ft is in eicellent condition Occupancy no problem, zoning is B-2 Central air. off-street parking and more await your inspection. LeasePurchase.

Price reduced to $1 75,000. For Lease West Racine location 4160 zoned B-2 2-5 year lease available. Occupancy no problem. Off-etreet parking. CaU today for information.

Off ice Condominiums A new concept In private ownership of your own office can be realized in ltd exciting protect. Each interior cart be designed lo your specific needs. CaM today for information on Hickory Hoftow Office Condominiums. The way of the future. LeaaePurchaae.

Two names you can trvtt MLS 632-6116 REALTOR When completed, the Shoop Building will include a health club. The city is developing a parking ramp adjacent to it. Anderson said Osprey and Johnson Redevelopment Inc. are just starting to search for tenants at the Shoop Building. Gerald Schwallier, president of Marine Bank South, said it will still be some time before office space will be in demand downtown.

Marine Bank South recently put 13,000 How Much $Mony Is Your Business Worth? We'd like to tell you. We are Corporate Investment Business Brokers, "The Nation's Professionals'. Our offices from coast-to-coast throughout the U.S. appraise and help to negotiate the sale of businesses every day. and large ones.

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