“We are proud of this project and the role that is has played in the ongoing urban revitalization of downtown Roanoke,” said Burt Pinnock, AIA, principal. “When considered as a whole, the success of West Station makes a strong argument for how long-term engagement and quality design can bring new life to our historic neighborhoods.”
The Lofts were part of a grander revitalization effort spearheaded by developer Bill Chapman of Bill Chapman Enterprises to reclaim and rebrand the neighborhood of West Station. Adjacent to a large rail yard, the area had fallen into disrepair, but both Chapman and Baskervill saw potential.
“We took a two-step approach,” Chapman said. “First, we created a downtown district with a new name to convey the idea of change, and then we built high quality, design-centric space that clearly showed that change was happening. We designed and installed street banners then built The Lofts at West Station. We were 100 percent occupied in 90 days and have stayed that way ever since. The project has been a resounding success and a catalyst for further investment in the neighborhood.”