Pepper Construction, Cincinnati Headquarters

Building Architecture- Large Scale (>10,000 sf)

Project Narrative

The Pepper Construction Cincinnati Headquarters rehabilitated the historic Stearns & Foster office building in downtown Lockland, Ohio. The simultaneous, ambitious goals for historic preservation, sustainability, and economic impact required a tightly integrated team of Owner-contractor, designers, and consultants.
Historic Preservation
The Second Renaissance Revival style 1912 Sterns and Foster building received additions in 1929, 1956 & 1964, as well as interior renovations, all utilitarian. At purchase, the building had been vacant for two decades, with severe water damage, collapsed or ruined floors, crumbling walls, and broken windows. The team worked closely with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to preserve, restore, or replicate verifiable historic character where possible, and to introduce functionally necessary interventions with a light contemporary touch. Original windows on the front façade were restored, and exterior masonry was carefully cleaned and tuckpointed. Other restored elements included interior plaster, brick, window and floor trims, missing columns, and cast-iron fencing. All work met strict guidelines set forth by SHPO and the Standards for Rehabilitation, won federal and state historic tax credits, and is now part of the National Register’s Mill & Dunn Historic District.
Interdisciplinary Integration
Historic guidelines did not allow adding significant thickness to the exterior walls, so the team brought together its architects, building physics and mechanical engineers, and Pepper’s building envelope expert to work with SHPO to devise a thin solution that allows the massive brick wall to breathe, use its thermal mass, and avoid condensation. Notably, prevention of energy-sapping infiltration now measures to be an almost 100% improvement over code minimum. At the same time, monitored indoor air quality measures are superior to outside air. Geothermal wells and solar panels also contribute to the achievement of Net Zero Energy, LEED Gold, WELL Gold, and Energy Star Certifications.
Economic Impact
The 15-acre Stearns & Foster Mattress factory was a premier employer in the region, but the complex was closed in the 1990’s, leaving Lockland and its downtown, struggling. After 20 years of abandonment, all factory buildings except the office were demolished.
Pepper is excited to bring new jobs and activity to the Village and its center and has made its meeting facilities available to community-serving organizations. The Ohio Development Services Agency and JobsOhio provided grants in recognition of its transformative potential. The new headquarters is a highly visible statement of confidence in Lockland, and directly adjacent to the future planned redevelopment site of the former factory.
Recognition
The Pepper Construction Cincinnati Headquarters has received numerous awards at the national, regional, state and local levels, including recognition for Economic Impact, Historic Preservation, and Sustainability.