250 Bell Street

Built: 2007

Location: Reno, Nevada

Recipient of the 2008 CITY OF RENO RECOGNITION AWARD and 2007 AGC PINNACLE AWARD

A drab 20,000 square foot, run down warehouse on Bell Street in Reno was turned into a sleek complex with multiple wide open spaces.

Besides being the current office of CATHEXES, the building is full of tenants which share a spirit of community revival. Downtown transitional areas are an opportunity to bring life to an area.  250 Bell Street is not simply making a dated office warehouse “premiere”, It is a transformational infusion of energy in a downtown area.  The design uses simple materials with color and shape to create a lively, eclectic place for several businesses as well as for public functions. Sustainable design practices were also infused with a sense of play.  Concrete cutouts in the exterior panels to create daylight were reused for a front reception desk and partitions.  Empty wine bottles are stacked at an art wall in the lobby and soy based stain follow existing cracks in the concrete slabs.  A wind turbine was installed to offset power costs.  Basketball, movie nights, art classes, public gatherings, video productions and other events occur within the space on a regular basis.