With the Design Review Board (DRB) approval of the upfit of Main Street Labs at 2 North Main Street, the City's new biotech hub will get an updated look to match the innovations already underway inside.
Board member Katie Skoloff praised the project for its massive impact. "I'm excited about it," she said. "I think it's well done."
The Board voted 4-0 to approve the exterior renovation proposal. Originally occupied by JCPenney in the 1940s, the last improvement to the building happened in 1997. The space has been vacant for the past few years.
The building already has its first innovation hub tenant. Last year Kiyatec, a biotech company creating life-saving solutions for cancer patients, moved into the space.
The DRB found Main Street Labs proposal to be in keeping with the character of the area, and approved the proposal to break the existing continuous facade into three separate fronts, creating visual interest and a smaller scale to better fit with the surrounding buildings.
The three-story portion of the building fronting North Main Street will include a new retail space tailored to attract a specialty retailer. The two-story section will be the primary access for innovation hub tenants and feature a recessed entry and expanded windows.