(January 28, 2024) – Following a $2 million exterior renovation of its Veranda apartment building, Piedmont Crossing will celebrate the completion of the project with residents and local officials. The public is invited to attend.
The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, January 24, at 10:30 am at 300 Shuler Drive on the Piedmont Crossing campus. Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather.
Before renovations were set in motion, an evaluation was conducted to establish whether it would be better to tear down and replace the two-story building or renovate it. Ultimately, the decision was made to reinvest in the existing structure since its 28 apartments remain fully occupied and the building itself is structurally sound. In addition, interior renovations to individual apartments had already been done. (As apartments turn over, they’re updated on an ongoing basis to keep interior spaces current.)
The renovation plans were designed by Steele Group Architects with three goals in mind: To increase the functionality of the building, to add architectural interest and unify its appearance with other campus structures, and to upgrade the materials while decreasing overall maintenance. A timeline of construction tasks was created by the general contractor, David E. Looper & Company, to accomplish all of these changes as efficiently as possible. Residents continued to live on the premises during the scope of the project.
Perhaps the most striking change to the Veranda building has been the raising of its porte-cochere. This covered area for picking up residents, unloading groceries, and making transfers from wheelchair to car originally had a clearance of only 9 ½ feet, which made it difficult for vans, trucks, and other vehicles to get beneath it safely. Now, the structure has been rebuilt and its clearance elevated to 14 feet.
Other changes included:
- Replacing the roof, installing darker architectural shingles, and building gables to give the roofline more dimension
- Adding new arched windows and replacing exterior doors
- Upgrading decks, screened porches, and railings with composite materials for increased durability and longevity
- Adding new vinyl siding and an exterior ceiling system throughout the breezeways
- Painting sections of the original brick as accent walls
- Encasing architectural columns with vinyl panels and trim work
- Hanging new gutters and downspouts
- Adding and upgrading exterior lighting
- Refreshing the landscaping
Pleased by the outcome of the renovations, Doug Russell, Piedmont Crossing’s executive director, shared, “Not only do these improvements position the Veranda building for many more years of use and easier upkeep, but they also substantially brightened the façade and walkways, which is of great benefit for visibility and mobility. Beyond that, the pride that residents have in their renovated spaces is immeasurable – whether it’s their individual deck or porch or the entire look of the building. Seeing them fall in love with their homes all over again is absolutely worth the effort behind the project.”