Pepper Construction Completes Phase Two of Kenyon College Redevelopment Project

Pepper Construction Completes Phase Two of Kenyon College Redevelopment Project

Pepper Construction of Ohio recently completed the second phase of a redevelopment project in the heart of Kenyon College’s active, residential campus. The project enhanced several mixed-use spaces in the Village of Gambier, which is home to about 2,300 students and year-round residents. A blend of retail, restaurant and student residential spaces preserve the “Main Street” feel of the village center while offering contemporary amenities to residents.  

The project was split in to two separate phases, 2A and 2B.  Phase 2A saw the remodel of the historic Kenyon Bookstore, the nation's longest continuously operating college bookstore and the third-oldest bookstore of any kind in America.  With a new storefront and loads of natural lighting, the bookstore, which opened in March 2018, has already received recognition in The College Store Magazine.  Above the bookstore, a collaborative new office space was designed for the college IT department. Below the bookstore is a laundromat and college print shop.

During Phase 2A, Pepper preserved a portion of the existing building, Farr Hall, by removing the east and west walls and renovating the front façade. The most intricate work happened during the demolition and addition to the structure while simultaneously reinforcing it. Phase 2A also included an addition on the second-floor roof which not only increased space on the first floor, but also provided additional space for the HVAC mechanicals to be located on the rooftop.

The remaining two-thirds of Farr Hall was renovated during Phase 2B. Three mixed-use buildings designed to accommodate retail and restaurant spaces topped with student residences now stand along Gaskin Avenue. The Gambier Deli, located beside the Bookstore, has a lower level featuring a small office suite with three offices that the college will use.  To the north of the Deli are two other buildings that will become temporary study spaces until the Kenyon Commons Library is complete. The lower levels will be utilized by WKCO, a freeform radio station owned by the College, and a Chilitos Fresh Mex and Margaritas restaurant which is set to open by spring. 
Pepper also served as the Construction Manager for Phase One of this project, which provided a new commercial space for the Village Market, a full-service grocery and deli, and twelve student apartments above the grocery complete with full kitchens, dining and living rooms.  In addition to the Village Market residences, Pepper also built the Center Run Residences, two apartment buildings housing eight students each, located on corner of East Brooklyn Street and College Park Drive.

Now in their fourth generation of family leadership, Pepper Construction Group serves clients across the country with comprehensive teams in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin working in markets such as healthcare, manufacturing and light industrial, hospitality, workplace and education among others. Pepper, one of the Midwest’s largest contractors, leads the industry in virtual technologies as well as lean and high-performance construction. Among the firm's current projects are Highland District Hospital’s Building Expansion Project in Hillsboro, OH and Syneos Health Office Renovation in Columbus, OH.
###