Built in 1907, the 10,000-sf structure was originally built as a horse stable on land leased from the estate of Mary Schenley. This building, which had served several functions over the years, including a taxi depot and consignment store, had little to no infrastructure. In this underutilized building, the owner imagined creating a micro-distillery with a warm and welcoming interior that served both as an amenity to be enjoyed by Strip District neighbors, as well as a destination spot for visitors.

Our goals were to:
• Create a functioning micro-distillery out of an early 20th Century livery.
• Meet building code required MEP systems and life-safety components without compromising the historic nature of the building.
• Highlight and re-use the original features of the structure through careful restoration and creative artificial lighting strategies.
• Thoughtfully incorporate accessibility into the design without adding unsightly elements.
• Save an artifact from Pittsburgh's industrial past from being demolished and replaced as has been the recent trend.

Our design called for restoring and celebrating the existing materials and structure as much as possible. This included cleaning and careful restoration of the existing brick, structural clay tile known as "speed tile", and American Chestnut timbers.

In addition, when the Owner purchased this property, the building had virtually no mechanical, electrical or plumbing infrastructure. The systems that did exist, did not meet current building codes. A code compliant and fully exposed MEP system was carefully integrated into the existing structure. Life-safety components, such as a sprinkler system, were also added where none previously existed. Furthermore, handicap accessibility was seamlessly added to the design to make up for the 18" change in elevation that existed from the front to the rear of the structure.

Should anyone else choose to inhabit this 115-year-old building in the future, little to no infrastructure improvements would likely be required.