The Commonwealth

240 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38103 United States

Building Area (sf): 82,000 sf conditioned area + 35,700 sf garage buildings + 5,100 sf penthouse apartment

Completion: December 2019

Restrained modern additions combined with pruning of unsympathetic previous modifications to highlight the historical fabric of a storied gothic revival structure.

Originally conceived as the Medical Arts Building, it was a place designed for the common good. A place where all Memphians—no matter their social status, race or gender—could come for healing. A place where medical professionals collaborated and shared ideas about their craft. Like Memphis itself, The Commonwealth has endured years of highs and lows. A child of the roaring twenties, it has sustained the Great Depression, World War II, the Atomic Age, the birth of Rock’n’roll, the depopulation of Downtown Memphis and, ultimately, abandonment. But—also much like Memphis—there is another story. A story that is not simply about the restoration of a hidden gem; rather, a story of redemption: a redemption that we believe the great City of Memphis is also experiencing.

Drawing inspiration from the building’s history, the adaptive reuse brings together a mix of uses including retail, multifamily residential, and commercial offices with shared spaces for collaboration and celebration. Retail spaces and amenities at the ground floor bring residents, occupants and visitors together to experience the story of the building. Utilizing the original corridor and service core, new residential units and offices offer modern amenities while exposing and highlighting the historic structure. Restrained modern additions bring natural light to spaces through the original restored steel windows. A selective insertion of understated new construction allows the reimagined ground floor façade to emphasize the restored terra cotta façade above while welcoming visitors into the mixed-use vertical community.

Feature Image (exterior) - Photo by Chad Mellon
1 – The sensitive approach to the restoration of the iconic 1925 Gothic Revival design reestablishes The Commonwealth as one of the city’s most precious historic architectural landmarks. The cleaned, deeply-cut white glazed terracotta and restored steel windows add sparkle to the eastern edge of downtown. Photo by Dalton Green
2 – The 1950’s alterations to the original storefront design at the ground level were removed and original design intent closely replicated in new simplified storefront design. Photos by Kyle Archer and Dalton Green
3 - Careful peeling away of periodic renovations reveal original ceiling detail. Custom light boxes inserted into the existing lobby retail windows, artully convey the life and prominence of the building during the 1920’s. A sloped walking surace was incorporated into the lobby design to maximize accessibility throughout the ground floor’s multiple level changes. Photos by Jamie Harmon (left) and Dalton Green (right)
4 - Removal of narrow service alley to create charming courtyard between building and existing garage. Photos by Jamie Harmon (left) and Nicholas McGinn, Jr. (right)
5 - Despite fire and neglect, the building’s basic plan remains intact. Offices and apartments grouped to the exterior walls with support spaces located within the central service core, resulting in tremendous natural light-filled spaces. Photos by Jamie Harmon (left) and Chad Mellon (right)
6 - Gathering lounge connects to internal courtyard to create communal spot for building residents, tenants, and neighbors. The design team’s careful organization of building infrastructure allows most of the concrete structure to be fully expressed and the exterior walls to be permeable. Photo by Nicholas McGinn, Jr.
7 - Reinvigorated existing elevator lobbies draw inspiration from original 1920’s design era with restored terrazzo floors and limestone wall panels. Photo by Chad Mellon
8 - Office space grouped to the exterior walls, as conceived in the original building plans, maximizes natural light and views across downtown. With simplified, elegant materials in-keeping with the 1920’s design era, the modern office is seamlessly inserted into this renovation. Photo by Chad Mellon
9- Original sun porch becomes private rooftop penthouse overlooking downtown. Photo by Nicholas McGinn, Jr.
10- By carefully organizing the building infrastructure the interior spaces maximize natural light, views and the authentic texture of the concrete structure. Photo by Chad Mellon