Commonwealth Architects provided historic tax credit, architectural and interior design services for the adaptive reuse of the St. Luke Building developed by River City Ventures. After sitting vacant for nearly 40 years, twelve modern apartments plus 3,500 SF of retail space have been created within the existing four-story, flat-roofed brick building and its two rare adjoining two-story vernacular Italianate brick townhouses.
Unique remaining historic features of the building, include signage consisting of individual letters spelling “St Luke Building” affixed to the exterior masonry facade, ceilings finished with pressed tin, hardwood floors, and a paneled wood teller’s cage complete with metal gates. The existing marble clad elevator lobby and two open four-story stairs with wrought iron railings were refreshed and continue to serve as the building’s circulation, the only modifying feature being a storefront system added at the second and third floors to provide fire separation while maintaining clear sightlines. Four apartments were designed on each of the upper three floors, two of which are loft units taking advantage of the exceptional ceiling height.
The St. Luke Building, which once served as the national headquarters of the Independent Order of St. Luke, a mutual aid society founded in 1869. The Order’s mission to foster African-American economic independence was largely realized through enterprises housed in the St. Luke Building, including the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, printing facilities for the St. Luke Herald, and offices for the Order. The St. Luke Building was constructed in 1902 as a three-story masonry building. An expansion constructed between 1915 and 1920, added a fourth floor, an elevator in the south elevation of the building, and a new bay containing a pair of fireproof stairs.
