The recent restoration of this 1922 heavy timber and brick building has sparked the revitalization of a historic downtown in north Idaho. The design team balanced the strategies of the U.S. Green Building Council with the stringent Standards for Rehabilitation from the Department of Interior to transform the decaying shell into a high performance, healthy, and vibrant building. As a result, this is one of only a handful of registered Historic buildings in the country to also achieve LEED® Gold certification.

Originally commissioned by timber and mining pioneer Charles Beardmore, the mixed use “Beardmore Block” housed his expanding businesses as well as professional offices, retail shops, ballrooms and theater. By the time Beardmore’s great-grandson acquired ownership over eighty years later, both the interior and exterior of the building had suffered from years of neglect and abandonment.

All existing materials and architectural elements were carefully documented prior to construction. A majority—including window sashes, doors, toilets, sinks, wood flooring and structural joists—were salvaged, restored, and reused on site. The exterior was cleaned and restored. Innovative technologies such as rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, mechanical systems, and photovoltaic arrays found a place within the historic context. Office and retail floor plans capture the character of the building’s past while accommodating the technological needs of present and future tenants. The public lobby features historic photographs and educational displays to illustrate the area’s history, the restoration process, and the building’s green features.

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