Friday, November 27, 2009

What a difference a new front makes

You may recall Allison's, the gas station turned auto parts store, at the corner of Grove and Gurley. For the past couple of months, workmen have been busy remaking this example of nondescript architecture into...

...the very model of a respectable financial institution. It's been absolutely fascinating to watch how a simple new facade is transforming what is basically the same old box for a totally new use.

A touch of parking lot landscaping adds to the illusion. And what will occupy the made-over premises? Just mosey down Grove Street one block...

...to the Credit Union West, which is moving out of its strange quarters and into the newly refurbished building. The future of this structure, which is the last non-Prescott College premise on the block? PC is adding it to the collection of recycled buildings that comprise its campus; latest word is that it will serve as the school's visitors center.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy times for both PC and Credit Union West!

~Anon in AV.

Prescottstyle said...

How about a bomb shelter? Those two foot thick walls are stout!

Granny J said...

anon av -- a win-win situation, as they say...

style -- yeah, but don't bombs come from the sky, as a rule? Not much protection from that direction.

prescottstyle said...

As a rule sure they do. But, this would be the only building standing if a ied blew up in the hood!

Kathleen said...

Nice new look to the old Allisons =) Amazing what a new 'facade' can do to an old building!

Anonymous said...

You could'a been a photo-journalist, methinks. Always enjoy your pics.

Granny J said...

style -- minus those skylights, I'm sure.

frame -- isn't revealing how a new front can change everything!

decker -- in the old days, I was a journalista but the photos were only incidental. Now, the pictures are taken and selected on the basis of their story-telling potential. Glad you enjoy them.

 
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