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This three phased redevelopment project located at the heart of Kenyon College's active, residential campus 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.
Phase 1 of this project, 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 the corner of East Brooklyn Street and College Park Drive. The Center Run Residences is certified LEED Platinum.
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, has received recognition in The College Store Magazine for its renovation. 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. he 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.
