Gleason was one of first to restore lofts

|tab|

In 1980 Parkie and Paula Gleason bought a building in downtown Springfield to house their renowned stained glass studio and also serve as a long-range investment. Today, the project stands as a model of how builders and owners can work together to realize a dream. |ret||ret||tab|

Located on the southeast corner of Campbell and McDaniel, the three-story structure, known historically as the Turner Building, is listed on the Springfield Historical Registry. It housed the Style Clothing Store in the early 1900s and Hunter's 5 & 10 in the '30s, and in 1958 was leased to Turner's Department Store. |ret||ret||tab|

The Gleasons moved their business into the 4,000-square-foot ground floor space and for a time rented the top floor to a sculptor as a studio. Knowing that second and third levels of urban buildings often serve as residences, they envisioned dividing the upper floors for apartments from the beginning, even though unsure whether the idea would work in Springfield.|ret||ret||tab|

Encouraged by the success of Bill Graham's apartments on Olive Street in downtown Springfield, they moved ahead. "We believed from what Graham did that people would be willing to live in the urban environment," said Paula Gleason. |ret||ret||tab|

The couple saw the upper floor as a potential for four lofts, but when Parkie Gleason turned to architect Bruce Adibyazdi for design help, Adibyazdi changed Gleason's mind by coming up with a plan for three units and room for laundry facilities and tenants' entrance at the rear.|ret||ret||tab|

Although Gleason did a lot of the work himself, he also brought in Springfield Builders, Inc., SBI, as contractor to facilitate the installation of needed new wiring and plumbing.|ret||ret||tab|

The completed units feature a modern open studio look complete with high ceilings, large windows and, for atmosphere, much of the original brick exterior wall exposed. Two of the three upper units are further enhanced by stained glass windows.|ret||ret||tab|

Completed in 1993, all three units have stayed rented from the beginning. Although rents have increased over time as loft apartments became a trend in Springfield, Gleason keeps his rents low compared to other landlords.|ret||ret||tab|

"We usually have first choice of tenants," he said. Paula added that they have never raised rents on a tenant, and that most have been with them for the long term.|ret||ret||tab|

"We've developed an instinct for selecting people who can adapt to living downtown," she said.|ret||ret||tab|

On the mezzanine level the Gleasons added another unit and moved into it after selling their family home. They were there for a year or so while searching for the "cabin in the woods we dreamed about," a dream that came true in 1996.|ret||ret||tab|

The building is now for sale by owner. The upper level, ground floor, and basement each measure 4,000 square feet, the mezzanine about 2,000 square feet. The couple are asking $650,000. The apartment units should rent in the $600 range, Gleason said. He adds that there are six parking spaces at the building's rear and an outside rear entrance that goes directly to the upper level with the apartments.|ret||ret||tab|

Gleason originally planned to put the building on the National Historic Register, but abandoned the idea when he found the requirements too restrictive. While he made an effort to restore the building to near-original condition, he did not want the registry to dictate limitations to the renovation.|ret||ret||tab|

[[In-content Ad]]