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United Motors Building
United Motors Building
project info
Firm's Responsibilities: Construction Management / Design / Build
Conversion of former United Motors headquarters building into Cleveland YWCA headquarters and offices.
Total Development Cost: $4 million
Location: 4019 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio
Building Size: 24,000 sf Renovation
Completion Date: June 2001
Owner: UM Building, LLC
Tenants: YWCA of Great Cleveland Headquarters
Primary Use: YWCA Headquarters & Offices
Funding Sources: First, Second, Third Mortgage Financing - $4 million
The preservation and adaptive re-use of the 1920 United Motors Company Building at 4019 Prospect Ave. in Cleveland’s Upper Prospect Historic District received a 2002 Preservation Merit Award.
As an automobile dealership and showroom in the 1920’s, the United Motors building was rehabilitated by the use of a 20 percent Federal Tax Credit.
Certain features were important to the restoration, such as the façade. A storefront was added in 1957 and was removed and replaced with wood and metal storefronts matching the original architectural drawings and historic photographs. The terra cotta cornice was repaired where possible. Missing portions were rebuilt to match the original. Fluted columns were repaired and the column capitals were reproduced based on a single surviving acanthus leaf.
The remainder of the building was rehabilitated in a contemporary style and now serves as headquarters for the YWCA of Greater Cleveland.