The historic property at the corner of Cedar Street and 3rd Avenue in Sandpoint, Idaho, has undergone numerous transformations since its inception as a blacksmith shop in 1905. Today, it stands as the Belwood Building, home to the Pend d’Oreille Winery and Fat Pig restaurant. This renovation by Julie and Steve Meyer, who purchased the building in 2010, makes it a strong candidate for Contribution to Historic Preservation.
Originally constructed in 1907 as a brick and timber one-story mercantile building, the structure soon evolved into the St. James Hotel with the addition of a second and third floor in 1908. Over the decades, the building was altered to house various businesses, including Williams Mercantile, Crescent Pharmacy, J.C. Penney, Golden Rule, Stebbin and Nesbitt House of Furniture, Sandpoint Table Supply, and Savon Cash Grocery. More recently, it was known as the Furniture Exchange and finally, Belwood Furniture.
Recognizing its historic significance and potential community value, the Meyers embarked on a thoughtful and meticulous renovation. They focused on reusing and recycling materials to preserve the building’s historical texture and quality.
Belwood Building sets a high standard for repurposing, reuse, and recycling in historic preservation. Notable examples include repurposing red fir flooring as interior siding and transforming two large 8″ beams from the front of the store into light fixtures for the restaurant. Elements from the winery’s previous venue were incorporated into the courtyard, and roof vents were converted into exterior light fixtures. A non-abrasive process was used to remove paint from exterior bricks, preserving the bricks and grout, which revealed historic signage (“Sandpoint Motor Company”) that was highlighted with new lighting and protected by a new roof structure and glass wall. Unique metal shutter hardware on an exterior wall was preserved, and the walls of a cinder block addition were insulated from the inside, creating deep windowsills. The brick walls were reinforced with steel, and date-appropriate materials were used to maintain the building’s historical look and feel. Tim Boden of Boden Mountain Architecture received a Citation Award from the American Institute of Architects Idaho for the renovation, adaptive use, and preservation of the building.
This renovation is a testament to the successful blending of historic preservation with modern functionality. The commitment to maintaining the building’s historic integrity while repurposing it for contemporary use makes Belwood Building a great choice for this 2024 Preservation Idaho Orchid Award.
For more information about the Belwood Building Renovation: https://belwood301.com