New life for old warehouses

The summer of renovation is under way in downtown Columbia, as warehouses and factories are being converted into new businesses, art studios and loft apartments.

Architect Brian Pape, a member of city’s Historic Preservation Commission, has designed two of the projects:

• The conversion of a 72-year-old colonial red-brick building on Hitt Street just south of Broadway, originally a Coca-Cola bottling plant, into a new home for Ragtag Cinemacafé, Uprise Bakery and Ninth Street Video.

• The conversion of an 88-year-old building at Hinkson and Fay streets, commonly known as the Diggs packing warehouse, into a multi-use building for apartments, offices and art studios.

John Ott soon will begin renovating the 92-year-old Berry Building, a three-story warehouse at Walnut and Orr streets. The North Village Lofts project will turn the deteriorating structure into apartments and commercial space.

Mark Timberlake is preparing to launch a three-phase expansion of the Orr Street Studios converting more warehouses into art studios.

Tom and Scott Atkins have finished restoring the historic Hamilton-Brown Shoe Factory on Wilkes Boulevard, and nine businesses and organizations have moved into the offices.