Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
downtown office
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| A 3,000 SQUARE FOOT building, a project of Paul and Susan Marberry, reflects the design of other downtown Fairfield structures. The building is being constructed to provide retail and office space. |
The 3,000 square feet structure, named The Marberry Building for now, is a project of Paul and Susan Marberry.
The couple completed Marberry Professional Building in June 2000 on the southwest corner of Commerce and Keechi streets, and the new project is located a couple of doors to the west.
“We have seen a need over the years for office and retail space,” Marberry says.
“It’s an investment for us,” Mrs. Marberry adds.
Work on the new building has been delayed for the past several months, awaiting a decision by the city council on building a parking lot behind businesses in the 100 block of E. Commerce Street, using a $150,000 grant received in summer.
The city council last week killed the parking lot project and will return the grant which would have funded most of the work.
The Marberry Building will be steel construction with brick facades for the front and rear, designed to be architecturally compatible with other buildings around the square.
“We are looking for a 1920s look,” Marberry says.
Designed by Fairfield architect Lane Stripling, the front of the structure is to look like a 2-story building with arched upper windows, an awning, decorative brick work and transoms the awning.
However, a unique aspect of the building is a breezeway built through its middle, open at the front and rear—-office and storefronts will open onto the breezeway.
“There won’t be another building in Fairfield like it,” Mrs. Marberry says.
In a nod to the past, steel columns and thresholds that adorned the front of the old T.J. Hall Building at the same location are incorporated into the design. The T.J. Hall Building burned about a quarter century ago and the downtown space has remained empty.
Contracted to erect the structure is Jerry Don McLeod of Fairfield, David Housewright of Fairfield is serving as construction superintendent and the Marberrys are their own general contractors.
Plans are to build eight spaces for offices and retail locations, and the couple says they are especially interested in attracting retail businesses to the downtown location.
Taking up a portion of the space will be Marberry Home Health, a new venture to be launched by the couple in the coming months.
The couple started SMC Nursing several years ago, providing contract nursing services to hospitals and other health facilities.
Renters are actively being sought by the Marberrys, who note that businesses that sign up early can get their space custom built to suit their needs.