Commercial Architecture: Ye Olde Provincial House

Location: Geneva, IL

The owner of this circa 1867 historical landmark, in the downtown business district of Geneva, IL, was having a challenging time renting the available retail / office spaces to potential tenants. The overwhelming problem was the structural integrity of the rear portion of the structure – it literally felt like you would fall through the floor into the existing basement / crawlspace. The owner recognized the safety hazard this was causing, ultimately discouraging potential tenants. The solution was to demolish the severely crippled portion of the building and rebuild it to current building standards. In addition to rebuilding the damaged areas, RS2 Architects worked closely with the Geneva Historic Preservation Commission to preserve the historical character by specifying specific Italianate details, matching existing siding, and maintaining the Italianate architectural style of the building. The building is currently leased by a drapery and curtain retail store.