Bowood Farms bought a decaying warehouse on the north side of the Central West End when they wanted to develop their retail operations in Saint Louis. The area they were moving into had a mix of deteriorated residential and commercial structures.

The family company wanted a location with history and character, where they could operate as a plant nursery and also have a flexible space for selling home and garden gifts year round. They needed offices and classrooms for gardening instruction. They also wanted to open a cafe serving food grown on site and at their farms in Clarksville.

Bowood Farms has worked steadily since 2005 to renovate the warehouse and incorporate the empty lots and hundred year old houses around the property into highly functioning retail, support and cafe spaces.

Cohen Hilberry designed the outdoor sales area, which has a heavy timber frame work to distinguish the new work that connects the user to the historic building elements.

We also designed the newest retrofit of an historic house into administrative suites, classrooms and, of course, an accessible restroom available for customers. Also for Bowood, we have assisted with the renovation of adjacent residential properties are currently working on the design for a commercial historic renovation across the street from Bowood’s Osage Café.