Building 19

Client: Pioneer Group, Inc., Topeka
Team: Treanor Architects; Straub Construction
Investment: $13 million

Building 19, the former Mess Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the historic district - "Western Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers."  The VA had determined they no longer needed 38 buildings on the Leavenworth VA campus, and were considering demolishing those buildings. 

In 2005, rather than tearing the buildings down, the VA entered into a 75-year Enhanced Use Lease with Eisenhower Ridge Association that provided for both preservation and development of the 38 buildings and 52 acres included in the lease. This project demonstrates an opportunity to renovate one of those buildings again to serve the VA, and thereby allow the VA employees to be located immediately adjacent to the VA functions in Leavenworth.  As a member of the developer’s team, Spencer served as a liaison with the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service to successfully utilize federal and state historic tax credits.

Once used to serve meals to disabled veterans, Leavenworth Building 19 now houses a new VA medical records office that brought 400 jobs to town.  The old mess hall on the first floor and ballroom on the upper floor, were comprised of large open rooms – historically serving over 2,000 veterans three meals per day.  The open plan configuration was a natural fit for the CPAC offices where modular office cubicles accommodate 400+ employees on three floors.  The mess hall and ballroom had wonderful design features and details that were incorporated into the new use providing a unique office environment.