A Wonder Bread Factory Is Converted into Class A Office Space to Help Drive Downtown Development

LRK was charged with repurposing an abandoned Wonder Bread factory into a vibrant new headquarters for Orion Federal Credit Union. The choice to move the headquarters from a suburban location was an intentional decision by the executive team to help drive long-term economic development within downtown Memphis. Equally important was creating a work environment that was so compelling the credit union’s employees would find the relocation worthwhile. LRK’s design earned the firm an Honorable Mention in the Transformation category of retrofit’s Metamorphosis Awards.

Before Photos: LRK, First After Photo: ORION FEDERAL CREDIT UNION and Remaining After Photos: NICHOLAS MCGINN, MCGINN PHOTOGRAPHY

Vacant since 2013, the 63,000-square-foot factory now provides Class A office space for more than 225 employees. The 3-story, daylit lobby with a central staircase reveals the interior, part of the client’s desire for transparency and connection with the city. The office environment encourages collaboration and is supported by various-sized conference rooms and open, informal meeting spaces. Central coffee and copy areas also connect open-office space on each floor.

The modern 7,100-square-foot rooftop addition provides a breakroom, pre function space and a rooftop deck. Available to all employees, it showcases scenic views of downtown Memphis.

The exterior façade was reconstructed with bricks salvaged from buildings that were part of the existing factory complex. To pay homage to the factory’s history, the Wonder Bread sign has been restored, an old flour chute now is a chandelier and former dough beds are raised flower gardens.

Retrofit Team

ARCHITECT and METAMORPHOSIS AWARD WINNER: LRK, Tony Pellicciotti, AIA, CDT, LEED AP BD+C
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Montgomery Martin Contractors
INTERIOR DESIGNER: LRK, Rebecca Courtney, ASID, IIDA
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Chad Stewart & Associates Inc.
MEP/FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEER: HNA Engineering
CIVIL ENGINEER: ETI Corp.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Hodgson Douglas

Materials

TOILETS, LAVATORIES: Sloan
SHOWERS: Moen
TOILETS, URINALS: Kohler
BATHROOM COUNTERTOPS: Corian
DOOR HARDWARE: Adams Rite; Best Access Systems; Falcon from Allegion; Pemko and Rockwood from ASSA ABLOY; Sargent; and Stanley
ELEVATORS: Otis
STOREFRONT SYSTEM: Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope with Vitro Architectural Glass
CERAMIC TILE FLOORING: Concept Surfaces
WOOD FLOORING: HF Design
HVAC: Trane
KITCHEN CABINETS: Formica
KITCHEN FITTINGS: Delta
KITCHEN FIXTURES: Elkay
KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS: Durasein
LIGHTING: A-Light; Architectural Lighting Works; Lithonia Lighting; Louis Poulsen; Targetti; and Vibia
PAINTS, STAINS: Sherwin-Williams
ROOFING: Johns Manville
WINDOWS: Quaker Windows & Doors