Notable high-tech, industrial architect Frank Gehry's buildings continue to spark the interest of individuals from around the world, specifically developers in Columbia.
The James Rouse headquarters, which was originally built in 1969, sits over a 27-acre lake, has four stories and is nearly 150,000 square feet, will serve as a new conversion project for a Whole Foods store.
It took years for Gehry to return to his place of design origin, where he produced and cultivated his first architectural workings. The current lead developer of New Town Columbia hopes to reinvent the neglected building of James Rouse headquarters by keeping the original exterior aesthetic. The building has not been utilized in two decades since the passing of real estate developer and urban planner James Rouse, who died of Lou Gehrig's disease in 1996.
The renovation of the vacant building is set to be the front-runner of other preservation projects and retail development for the town of Columbia, headed by experienced architects George Holback and Anath Ranon. With a remodel that cost nearly $25 million, it is important to keep the original design of Gehry's work as the space adapts to encompass a wellness center, shops, merchandise, and in-store dining.
According to Biz Journals, "Gehry, 83, is said to be satisfied that his first larger commission will be reused at all and liked the building to now be more open than Rouse had allowed."
The legendary Gehry has developed some of the most famous buildings in the world, from The Walt Disney Concert Hall to the Guggenheim Museum in Spain. His latest project happens to be the Facebook Headquaters, as doors plan to be open in Spring 2015.
Columbia's Whole Foods just might be one of the most attractive grocery stores around, given its recognizable and renewed spirit of Gehry's work.
