Oscar Hoffman Building

Scope of Work

Consulting

Berggren Architects provided preservation consulting during the renovation of the Hoffman Building

Location

Ashland, NE

History

The Hoffman Building was built in 1917 by Oscar and Clara Hoffman.

Completion

This project was completed in 2015.

The Challenge

The historical Hoffman Building in Ashland, Nebraska was bought by Linoma Software in 2012 to be the site of their corporate headquarters. Architectural Design Associates was retained to rehabilitate this historic space for use as an office.

Berggren Architects was brought onto the project to provide historic preservation consulting for the acquisition of tax credits through the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

Our team would be responsible for administering requirements for historically sensitive rehabilitation according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, providing the necessary paperwork for tax benefits, and listing the building on the National Register of Historic Places.

Condition of the main auditorium entrance facing Silver Street

Stage curtains, olio curtains, and flats still remain in good condition. These elements were made by the Twin City Scenic Company based in Minneapolis.

The dull-green wall with painted decorations was probably completed by the local Girl Scout troop in 1955. They had used the auditorium as a meeting space.

The room is furnished with original light fixtures, pressed tin ceilings, and hardwood floors.

The Strategy

Some clients are hesitant to commit time and money towards the certification process. Our team argues that the federal tax credits, amounting to 20% of the rehabilitation costs, are well worth it.

Only the character-defining parts of the building relevant to the public, which comprise mostly the building exterior and the auditorium space, need to follow rehabilitation guidelines. The rest may be rehabilitated to the owner’s discretion.

Preservation work includes the restoration of windows, doors, floors, and ceilings. The multi-light glass, including the west transom, were also preserved. The renovations include the addition of an elevator and two new staircases.

The Results

The Hoffman Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014 and its rehabilitation efforts were approved by the Nebraska SHPO for tax credits.

The client successfully converted the building into an office space while maintaining its historic character. Office spaces and modular workstations were housed in the auditorium, making use of its abundant natural light.

The 16-light colored glass transom above the west back entrance was one of the historic elements preserved.

The auditorium space sees abundant natural light with windows along two sides of the room.

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Our Process

We listen to you

We are preservation architects, let’s get together and talk about your project. Once we know your ideas, we can start your project in the right directions.

We involve you in the planning

Planning projects is what we do. We’ll work with you to develop the best way to implement your ideas. Our written documents are the road map which is essential to ensuring your expectations.

We make it happen

When you’re ready to implement your ideas, we’ll gather together the craftsmen and women necessary and bring your ideas to life. Architecture is in the details. We will follow your project through completion ensuring all the details meet your expectations.
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