Still Cooking at Holsum Lofts
By Tony Illia

Things are still cooking at the 54-year-old Holsum Bread Factory in Las Vegas.

advertisement

Although the landmark has been closed for years, a recent renovation has brought it back to life. Local developer LaPour Partners Inc. invested $6.5 million to upgrade and expand the 41,650-sq.-ft. industrial building into live/work units with retail stores, showrooms, a café and art galleries.

TWC Construction Inc. of Henderson was the project's general contractor under a $5 million guaranteed maximum price contract.

The Holsom Lofts are on 2.6 acres at 211-299 W. Charleston Boulevard, near Interstate 15 where an estimated 70,000 vehicles pass daily. The building was the city's longtime bakery.

The building required a thorough gutting, including new electrical, mechanical and life- safety systems, plus asbestos and lead paint removal. Still, the improved building retains much of its original feel with stained concrete floors and wood bow truss ceilings.

Stephen Jackson and Westar Architects of Las Vegas served as the project architect.

"All vibrant cities have the old and the new, and it's important that they coexist," said Jeffrey LaPour, president of LaPour Partners. "If can you link those different elements then it becomes a winning combination for everyone.

But it actually costs more money to save the structure than build anew."

The single-level, L-shaped building's heavy timber ceiling, steel detailing and open spaces reflect its mid-century design. The building's iconic signage and clock that read "hours fresher" was also restored.

To bring more natural light into a dark interior, designers added 43 new metal-framed windows and 36 skylights. The end result is an airy day-lit interior within a large warehouse space. The framing, drywall and paint were performed by subcontractor Tradewinds Construction of Las Vegas.

"This is the oldest renovation ever done in Las Vegas," said Rick Welch, TWC's project superintendent. "Most often, buildings this old are just demolished. In this case, however, it held historic and cultural value that LaPour wanted to preserve."

The old bakery building held several surprises for the contractor. For example, there was a 22-in.-dia. metal pipeline buried underground that had been abandoned. Also, when TWC went to expand the building, it realized that a portion of the foundation was missing. Apparently an addition had been done to the original structure without using footings.

The building, initially constructed in 1950, lacked detailed plans and schematics. Restoration subsequently often meant a slow and often tedious process of discovery.

But TWC successfully finished the seven-month project on time, employing up to 60 people during the height of construction.

The Holsum Factory's rolled roofline was retained, keeping the building's original character intact. Meanwhile, new amenities such 12-ft. shade canopies, a glass- enclosed arcade and a 3,000-sq.-ft. landscaped courtyard were added. A signal was installed at Charleston Boulevard and Grand Central Parkway for easy access, and parking was expanded for 120 vehicles.

The modernized mixed-use building now houses 15 flats and seven lofts, with flexible floor plans ranging from 250 sq. ft. to 12,000 sq. ft. in size. Tenants include a 1,000-sq.-ft. Home Expressions showroom, the 1,500-sq.-ft. Grill at Charleston and a 2,000-sq.-ft. art gallery.

"[The Holsum Lofts] are unique and authentic, not fabricated to look old," LaPour said. "There's been a great deal of interest in the project. We found the right location at the right time."