A 95-year-old train depot station that was meticulously restored into a popular restaurant, a four-year project that renovated the historic Delaware Market into a beautiful new, mixed-use project and the long-awaited Riverhouse Convention Center that redefined meeting space in Central Oregon are among the recipients of the 2007 Building a Better Central Oregon awards.
Appropriately, the annual awards luncheon was held in The Riverhouse Convention Center where representatives of the Central Oregon Association of Realtors presented 12 awards that serve as the organization’s principal community activity.
Chair Geneese Zinsli led a 10-person selection committee in choosing the winners that enhanced the beauty and vitality of the community, preserved or restored historic buildings or were simply unique projects that used appealing building materials or design elements. All projects had to have been completed over the past two years.
The award winners:
Outstanding Commercial Design & Site Utilization
Greg’s Grill, Old Mill District
Greg Hubert & Tom Krueger
Located on the Deschutes River, the outstanding design and attention to detail makes this building a definite winner. Designed in a Northwest style and integrating the restaurant with the natural amenities of the site as well as the historical significance of the area, the construction included the use of natural materials, heavy timbers, dramatic lighting, floor to ceiling glass and beautiful masonry.
The expansive and airy feel when you enter the lobby–with it high-beamed ceiling to the unobstructed view of the Deschutes River and Cascades beyond–gives an immediate warm ambience to the pleasure of dining out.
The interior seating was designed in a “theatre” style with the seats arranged with the exterior patio being the lowest elevation, the first row of tables inside the windows the next step, the second row of tables higher, and so on. The tiers allow every seat to have a view of the mountains and/or the river. The curved bar and lighted back-bar allow patrons a wonderful conversation area while waiting or simply having a cocktail and a private banquet room provides even more options to the dining experience.
The high ceilings and strong simple detailing give Greg’s Grill a powerful and visible presence in the Old Mill District – simply put, the building and site utilization are absolutely outstanding. George E. Hanson of Seattle served as the principal architect for the project.
“I felt very strongly that the location deserved a beautiful restaurant and we wanted to do the very best for that location,” Hubert said.
Outstanding Historic Renovation
Delaware Market
Jennifer White
The grocery store was first built in its current location in 1924, with an ice house added in 1936. For years it served many of the mill workers from the Shevlin-Hixon Mill. The store also included a butcher shop as well as grocery items, and mill workers would charge their purchases and then take care of their bill when they received their weekly paycheck.
Delaware Ice made 300-pound blocks of ice which were then made into smaller blocks or thrown into a chipping machine to make crushed ice. The second floor of the grocery housed small boarding rooms which were occupied by mill workers and the owner of the store.
Jennifer White purchased the property in 2004 and actually ran the store for some time. She quickly discovered the building was structurally unsound and decided to start a renovation process.
Crews discovered that the building was rotted and not salvageable. When contractors pulled off layers of pine they found concrete that had been applied over wood and shingles, all of which were rotted out and had to be removed.
Walls could literally be pushed down with the slightest pressure. What were left standing were basically the old brick walls and an apricot tree.
The roof consisted of the original roof made of 1×12 boards with tarpaper and wood shingles, it then had another roof built on top of it that consisted of 2×4’s and plywood, all of which had rotted, and on top of the plywood were aluminum shingles.
During the removal of walls, crews found newspapers dating back to World War II, ads from Radio Shack from the 80s that showed a VCR costing over $500 and a 1921 map of Bend.
The old ammonia compressors, gas mask from the ammonia cooling system, the old account register, butcher block, scales and cash register still remain, as does the familiar old “Delaware Market” sign that has graced the west side of the building for many years.
This historic building now houses a beautiful first floor grocery/deli space where the original brick walls have been restored. The space is ready to be leased so a neighborhood store & deli can once again be available to local residents.
The upstairs has six one-bedroom, one-bath apartment units, all with modern appliances, hardwood floors, warm colors and a shared balcony.
The building was rebuilt and remodeled by York Building & Design. David York and his superintendent Chuck Thurman did a fantastic job of renovation and retaining the historic character of the property.
Outstanding New Office Construction
Prudential High Desert Realty
Ruben Garmyn & Jim Birtola
The two-story, 6,000 square foot commercial building offers an eastern gateway to downtown Bend along Greenwood Avenue. Once an eyesore on the corner of Greenwood and First Street, Second Hand Sports was demolished to make way for a beautiful enhancement to the Greenwood corridor.
The Prudential High Desert Realty building graces the corner with a bold orange-red exterior that features rock and copper accents and cedar eaves. The interior’s open floor plan, with a two story Montana moss fireplace as its centerpiece, creates a warm and inviting lobby area for visitors.
The interior also features knotty alder doors, trim and railings as well as overhead skylights. Each office enjoys large windows and natural light. A small second floor deck provides another area for visitors or staff to enjoy the great Central Oregon outdoors and mountain views.
The building is also built green and enjoys the latest technology with high efficiency heating and cooling, automatic light sensors and ICF-built and insulated wall forms. The City of Bend also commended Prudential for its state-of-the-art storm water containment system.
Mike Gorman of GGL Architects was the principal architect for the building with Judson Construction serving as the general contractor.
Outstanding Small Commercial
Enhancement
Hip Chicks Salon, Redmond
Neva Spurgeon
Another renovation on a smaller scale has arrived on Seventh Street in Redmond where half of the street is zoned commercial, half residential. Neva Spurgeon and her husband purchased an old residence on Seventh Street, which was apparently moved to its current location many years ago, in the hope of remodeling for her business.
Once a contractor was called in it appeared better to start from scratch rather than try remodeling. The building was in structurally poor condition and in a state of disrepair. So, after all city specifications, engineering plans, building permits, etc. were in place for a remodel, it was definitely “back to the drawing board”.
New engineering, new elevations, new building permits, etc. were obtained. Hurdle after hurdle through the building, engineering and public works departments were finally resolved and nine months after they started the process Three Pines Construction was able to break ground.
Hip Chicks Salon finally became a reality. Spurgeon and six others now work out of this beautiful new facility. The building’s exterior lends itself to the neighborhood look, including an outdoor patio and garden space.
Inside, the bright warm colors, light and bright lobby area, and individual work spaces make the salon a pleasure to visit. It’s an outstanding enhancement to the popular and fast growing area of Redmond.
Outstanding Commercial Project,
Madras
Inn at Cross Keys Station
Rich & Sandy Priday
A spectacular new hotel and convention space, built on 20 acres of hillside and ridge top property, has emerged at the north end of Madras. The Inn at Cross Keys Station is a newly constructed, upscale, three-story, 72 room hotel and conference facility – a badly needed and welcome addition to the community.
Owners Rich and Sandy Priday of Prineville named the hotel for an area about 20 miles north of Madras that at one time was a stage stop that linked Shaniko to Bend, called Cross Keys Station. The first new hotel in Madras since 1986, the Inn at Cross Keys features a mix of the present and past.
The beautiful rock pillars of the portico welcome you. Upon entering the lobby, guests find themselves enjoying memorabilia reminiscent of the early 1900s including black & white photos and old guns. Western-style furnishings, slate flooring and a large rock fireplace complete the warm welcome to the reception area.
Each guest room features a 32-inch flat screen TV as well as refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and a desk work area. Guests can enjoy a daily continental breakfast in the warm atmosphere of the dining area. An indoor pool and spa, exercise room, outdoor patio, business center and free wireless access are just some of the amenities offered at the Inn at Cross Keys Station.
A 200-person conference room, complete with full kitchen facilities, is available to meet the needs of larger groups and a smaller more intimate conference room can also be utilized. The hotel was designed by Dale Sweeney Designs with E.A. White serving as the general contractor.
Upon receiving the award, Sandy Priday told the audience, “We’ve spent 12 very busy months on this project and we’re still married, so that’s testimony to our belief in this hotel and what it means to the community of Madras.”
Outstanding Historic Residential
Restoration
O’Kane Home
Laurel Yocum & Richard Kebler
A historic house just happened to be the perfect fit for Laurel Yocum and Richard Kebler near downtown Bend. Named the O’Kane Home after early 1900’s businessman Hugh O’Kane, the home was originally built in 1925.
Although the house had “good bones”, what they didn’t know was how much major work it actually needed. The stucco was crumbling and cracking and had to be replaced, the original double-hung windows were crumbling – but surprisingly were salvageable.
Every window was removed, restored and refurbished with only the glass replaced where necessary. The walkway was crumbling, the plumbing was crumbling and walls were crumbling.
Richard wanted a home with modern conveniences, surround sound, security systems, radiant heat, internet, etc, and Laurel wanted to preserve as much of the home’s historic presence as possible.
Because the home is located in Bend’s Drake Park Historic District, restrictions on how the renovation could affect the exterior appearance were imposed. Working with the Deschutes Historic Commission added another layer of complexity to an already major project. And one of many miscellaneous projects to meet their specifications was replacing a missing railing on the front porch.
With the assistance of architects, builders, custom craftsmen and decorators, the needs of both husband and wife were met. The original character of the home was preserved, although not easily.
The original layout of the living room and sunroom were maintained, with an expanded kitchen area and garage added in the rear. Walls were removed to shore up and stabilize the structure and to add new plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems, were then rebuilt.
The original glass fronted cabinets and bookshelves were removed and refurbished, then put back into their original place in the home, although one wall cabinet was removed to provide movement between the kitchen and dining room.
The fireplace was retained, although Laurel did paint new original tiles to replace the old ones. Light fixtures were saved where possible, as were hardwood floors. Even the front door was removed, refurbished and reinstalled and the stairwell leading to the upstairs bedrooms rebuilt.
One of the great discoveries during the renovation of the home was the “hidden” space in the broom closet where Hugh O’Kane stashed his liquor during prohibition.
The new kitchen is modern, functional and high-tech, but still representative of the era, as are the bathrooms. The bedrooms are spacious and colorful and beautifully decorated to resemble those of days gone by. An office over the garage utilizes every square inch of space and again mirrors the design of the period.
The redesign was created by architect Gary Johansen and. general contractor Dave Rink of D.E. Rink Construction and supervisor Erich Hohengarten did a masterful job of reconstruction.
Outstanding & Innovative
Lodge Design
Five Pine Lodge & Conference Center
Bill & Zoe Willits
At the base of the Three Sisters Mountains, Five Pine Lodge, Conference Center and Cottages provide the ultimate getaway. Zoe and Bill Willitts began creating a vision for Five Pine in 1994 during a summer vacation in the mountains, and have now completed a retreat designed and built in harmony with nature.
The Five Pine complex, which includes the Sisters Athletic Club, the Sisters Movie House and Shibui Spa, was built using sustainable development practices. Buildings were sited to reduce tree loss. The cottage hot water is supplied by computer driven tank-less technology. Heating, lighting, and windows are all energy efficient.
Paint is low VOC and all rooms are kept clean with toxin free cleaners. Some of the purest water in the world is provided to Five Pine through aquifers that run from the Cascade Mountains into two community wells on site.
The Lodge building is beautifully nestled between the trees at Five Pine, and upon entering you are greeted by a glowing fire in the massive stone fireplace. Two beautifully carved stairwells take your eyes upward. All hardwood furnishings at Five Pine are hand built.
Rooms are complimented with fireplaces, 42 inch plasma screen TV & DVD players, large bathrooms and tubs. Tiles are hand painted and hand carved chess sets provide non-high tech entertainment. A warm, sunny deck completes the ambiance of the lodge building.
The Teresa Conference Center, which overlooks the creek, provides meeting space for large or small groups. The entry across the creek and through beautiful hand crafted doors gives the feeling of elegance yet harmony. The boardroom hosts a twelve-seat craftsman conference table with stained glass lighting and a wet bar.
There are 24 cottages that are all designed with simplicity and natural materials. Each cottage provides an experience that is anything but common. Every facet of design contains unique and creative applications of a western 1880’s town.
All hardwood furnishings were hand built. Each room has a fireplace and TV & DVD player, hand-painted tiles and hand carved chess pieces. All cottage and lodge rooms include a complimentary natural energy breakfast, hosted wine reception and access to the Athletic Club. French doors open onto private patios complete with Adirondack chairs.
Five Pine is a unique resort committed to providing guests with a unique and memorable experience. Bill and Zoe Willitts’ 12-year vision is now a reality thanks to contractors Ken Yopp of Sunlight Construction, Curt Kallberg of Kallberg Construction and Pioneer Group LLC, Greg Willitts, owner.
“The project is actually a story of friendship that Zoe and I have developed with the contractors and their crews that will last a lifetime,” Bill said upon receiving the award.
Unique Public Art Enhancement
Air Traffic Control & Western Swing
City of Redmond
Sometimes art makes a statement that is fun, humorous and even beautiful. The City of Redmond has been fortunate enough to have two wonderful pieces of art donated to them by Phil & Penny Knight.
Air Traffic Control was placed at the west end of Redmond at the Highland/Glacier couplet in May of 2007. The sculpture by artist Greg Congleton is made up of some interesting materials, including horse shoes, motorcycle parts, bearings and gears, fan blades, irrigation pipe, brass door handles, boat propeller and even a meat grinder
Congleton also did another sculpture, which was donated to the City of Redmond’s Commission for Art in Public Places titled Western Swing and it is now located on the north end of Redmond.
Western Swing is a 12-foot bronze statue of a cutting horse, rider and calf. Congleton used several live models and their cutting horses to create this beautiful work of art. The sculpture and models were available for viewing in Redmond’s downtown plaza before being moved to the permanent position at the North Y.
Creative Architecture
The Riverhouse Convention Center
Wayne Purcell
The large timber and rock portico and beautiful entry doors greet guests to the largest convention center east of the Cascades.
Once inside, a stunning natural rock fireplace and 24-foot high ceilings offer an air of ambiance. A miniature version of the Deschutes River was taken from an aerial photo and the trout are true replicas carved in metal.
On the north wall, wood-carved tiles grace the true charm of the interior and the 20-foot waterfall near the stairway that runs down the rocks to the exhibit hall is the centerpiece of the building. The massive timbers came from the property where the convention facility is located, as did much of the rock and the fireplace mantle.
The largest stone utilized in the design elements weighs 20,000 pounds. There are also large images of historical Bend that are made on acoustical panels.
The new convention facility is 54,000 square feet with over 28,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit hall space. The main ballroom can accommodate groups of over 1,000 for a sit down meal prepared for you in the massive, state-of-the-art kitchen. It can also be divided into a combination of ten smaller rooms.
The large deck overlooking the river is waterproof in case of inclement weather, and can host events and receptions for enjoyment of Central Oregon’s outdoor ambiance. There is even a walkway under Mt Washington Drive for pedestrian safety issues.
The unique feature of the convention center is the modern technology. The AV system alone cost $500,000 and $200,000 was spent on an automated lighting control system. Each room has a LCD projector and screen that drop from the ceiling, and live media feeds are available all around the ballroom.
The lighting can be controlled by a touch screen on the podium, as can the speaker’s laptop or DVD player. The energy efficiency of the heating & cooling system is also outstanding with each room temperature controlled by an advanced circulation system. The facility has been given the LEED certification, which denotes energy and environmental sustainability in building practices, materials and indoor environmental quality.
The lower level of the convention center can facilitate trade shows large or small, and can even accommodate vehicles. Kirby Nagelhout Construction served as the general contractor for the project that was designed by Steele Associates Architects.
New Retail Design Concept
Cascade Village Shopping Center
Kevin Burns, SIMA Corporation
Cascade Village Shopping Center was designed to breathe new life into the Mountain View Mall. SIMA Corporation, a Santa Barbara, California based real estate firm acquired the Mountain View Mall property in 1998 and the transformation began.
What was once a 350,000 square-foot enclosed mall on 34 acres was to become a 440,000 square foot, open-air village shopping district.
A careful mix of tenants creates a diverse and value-added shopping environment. By locating these tenants together, it creates a unique synergy that might not otherwise locate in a community the size of Bend. The new tenants also bring an abundance of new attractive jobs to the Central Oregon region.
The village is designed with an Oregon chalet-inspired, craftsman architecture. The shopping center boasts pedestrian friendly sidewalks, a plaza center for entertainment, complete with a water and fire feature. Elaborate landscaping, tree lined sidewalks, decorative pavement, rock pillars, exterior lighting and concrete complete the overall ambiance.
The revitalization of an underutilized site now compliments the community and its surroundings. Guests can also enjoy the site lines to the Cascade Mountains that have been opened up and the wide drive isles provide convenient access through the entire site.
The new Cascade Village Shopping Center is an example of everything good about economic development and at the same time fulfilling the needs of a community. SIMA Corporation was well represented at the luncheon with construction manager Jim Tunnell, general manager Byron Orton and President Kevin Burns making the trip from California to accept the award.
“It was a Herculean effort by vast number of individuals who were enamored by the beauty of this area,” Burns said. “We eventually came up with a configuration that opened up the site lines to the mountains so that visitors to the center are constantly embraced by the mountains.”
Creative Residential Renovation
Cooper Home, Tumalo
Dave & Colleen Mills
Another exceptional renovation is evident at a home located on the Old Bend Redmond Highway. Built in 1975 by local designed John Cooper, the Tumalo-area home was featured in that year’s Bend Parade of Homes. In 2005 Dave and Colleen Mills purchased the 6,000 square foot home and began planning their renovation.
The seventies décor of walnut paneled walls, very dark doors, floors and cabinetry has been refined with old world charm. Removing the 70s woods, carpet, appliances, cabinetry, yet keeping the original footprint of the home was a major undertaking.
Textured walls and custom faux painting, using an array of warm colors, now graces this lovely estate. Doors and woodwork feature beautiful knotty alder and beech woods. The dark and outdated kitchen is now elegant – it includes a copper topped kitchen island, slab granite, tumbled marble, and a revamped fireplace.
The enormous lava rock fireplace, centrally located and visible from most of the main level rooms, has been resurfaced in Italian architectural stone featuring keystone and special stone columns.
The west wall of the home features floor to ceiling windows illuminating the home as well as providing exquisite views of the Cascade Mountains. The backyard pond reflects the Central Oregon skies and breathtaking views from the beautiful three-tiered deck.
The master suite offers a spa-like atmosphere with a chromatherapy bathtub and large shower with three different shower stations as well as a huge walk-in closet and dressing area. The high ceilings of gorgeous warm wood trims in the master bedroom provide a welcome respite at the end of the day. Off the master suite is an exquisite sunroom allowing additional warmth and comfort.
The bedrooms are spacious and bright with exquisite light fixtures. The office has additional fireplace warmth, and the lower floor, which was unfinished when the mill’s purchased the property, is now a relaxed family living and recreation area.
The owners collaborated with designer Kevin Gallagher of Inspired Design to restore the grand home with Delana Kent as tile-master and Gene Simmons serving as the general contractor.
Creative Historic Preservation
Terrebonne Depot
Kristin & Ian Yurdin
The old Terrebonne Depot stood shakily at the edge of Terrebonne’s railroad tracks with holes in the roof, windows long gone, and an exterior so weathered it looked like a relic from a ghost town. But Kristin and Ian Yurdin, who make frequent rock climbing trips to Smith Rock State Park, fell in love with the 95-year-old building. They thought it was a neat structure and would make a great restaurant.
Constructed in 1911, the depot played a critical role in Central Oregon’s growth and provided a vital supply link for the tiny town of Terrebonne. For much of the latter half of the 20th century the depot sat abandoned.
After tenaciously calling the owner about once a month for five years, the Yurdins finally were able to purchase the old depot. They took possession in 2004 and began the process of restoration – facing major hurdles all the way.
The entire 2,200 square foot building was held up by a foundation of 40 eight-inch by eight-inch old-growth fir piers blocks. To put it on a new foundation, they had to jack it up and slide it back nearly 40 feet onto a platform. Once on its new foundation, the roof trusses and roof hips were removed and replaced with new Glulam supports with the supports left exposed for dramatic effect.
Other challenges included re-engineering the walls, rebuilding the roof, basically up in the air, 20 feet high, engineering a new septic system, rezoning and obtaining permits. The building’s original size and dimensions were left exactly as they were and with a historic photo as reference, they replicated the old doors, exterior lighting and siding.
Local artisans were commissioned to handcraft the restaurant’s substantial but elegant bar – carved from the old-growth fir blocks that once supported the depots floor. Breathing life into a 96-year-old railroad depot was no easy feat, but the results are perfect.
Today the Yurdin’s dream of a restaurant in the restored depot, even though a two-year endeavor, has come true, with lunch and dinner served in the midst of history.
Todd Warburton of Green Line Construction in Sisters served as the general contractor for this outstanding project.
The Selection Committee
Barbara Krumwiede, Bob Jeans, Carol Osgood, Cheryl Tanler, Cindy King, Debbie Walsh, Laura George, Robin Williams, Tammy Funchess & Geneese Zinsli. Members are Realtors or Affiliate members of COAR.
