Sedona Main
Street Program nominates Takashi Court for AZ Main Street Best Large
Scale Renovation Project.
The owner of
Takashi Court invested $107,278 to improve the entire property and its
building with six (6) tenant spaces surrounding a courtyard. Renovations
were spurred on by the critical need to alleviate the impact of losing
all street-front parking. New patrons and “regulars” had to be
redirected to their rear parking lot, a challenge since it’s only
accessible by going “around the block” to enter from a parallel street
behind the building.
Sedona Main
Street Program acquired a grant from AZ Main Street to provide a site
and façade rendering, based on this property owner’s commitment to
complete at least an initial phase of renovations worth $20,000 within
the following six months. Once construction began, the renovations
developed a life of their own! It is exactly what we hoped to accomplish
by acting as a conduit for the visioning inherent in creation of a
rendering that successfully captures the owner’s desires and ideas.
Pride of ownership led to a far greater investment in a shorter time
frame than originally intended, because her passion and excitement about
the potential outcome kept growing as each piece of the project became a
reality.
The elements
of the renovation:
·
A SMSP Member and
in-district architect was selected and hired to create the site drawings
·
A local Contractor was
hired to oversee the project, and local trades people were hired
(electrician, mason, handyman, sign-builder)
·
Added front patio with 7
wrought iron tables & chairs enclosed by low-level wood fence (creating
curb appeal with sidewalk café look) & acquired outdoor café liquor
permit
·
New monument sign,
tenant business signs, and multiple way-finding signs for parking
(front, side and rear)
·
Improved façade
landscaping with addition of Seki-Tei (simple Zen rock garden) adjoining
new sidewalk
·
Additional façade
lighting via low-level bollard lights (5) in Japanese lantern style
bases; blend with Seki-Tei
·
Parking lot improvements
including signage, five tall wood poles with shielded lights, additional
gravel and new parking space demarcation for handicap, motorcycle,
compact and standard cars
·
Dumpster enclosure with
artistic elements
·
Roof utility screening
via shelter behind kitchen that also provides shade area for staff &
access to dumpster
·
Added Torii Gate to
define courtyard entrance from parking area
The results
of the renovation:
·
Curb appeal
·
Connection with new
pedestrian sidewalk in front of building
·
Better signage to
identify and promote tenant businesses
·
All patron and employee
parking behind building
·
Inviting entrances to
Takashi Court and tenant businesses from street frontage and rear street
parking lot
·
Natural and design
appropriate materials that blend with environment and enhance existing
building
·
Increased accessibility
for ADA compliance, pedestrians and vehicles
·
Improved safety
street-front, since parked cars no longer backing up into oncoming
traffic
The
improvements are accomplishing their intent to alleviate the impact of
lost parking. The façade can be seen by all who pass, now that parked
cars are gone. The front dining patio and landscaping now adjoin the new
sidewalk. The pathway connections now entice visitors into the courtyard
– a surprisingly lush and tranquil haven for leisurely enjoyment.
Overall, the renovations transform Takashi Court from appearing as “just
another sleepy office building along Jordan Road” into a vital business
property with an inviting restaurant, a variety of great service
providers and a beautiful gathering spot.
Photos included with Nomination
