Bell Tower Lofts

Reusing the Structure, Rebuilding the Systems

Pedro Piedrahita, Electrical Designer

Bell Tower Lofts still looks unmistakably historic—but it now operates as a contemporary multifamily facility because its MEP systems were re‑engineered from the ground up.

After sustaining extensive damage in the 2020 derecho, the former Methodist church couldn’t be adapted using its original infrastructure. Conversion to residential use required a complete replacement of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, providing modern HVAC, electrical distribution, and plumbing capable of serving 55 dwelling units while meeting current multifamily codes and performance standards.

Constructed in 1896, the structure’s architectural character was retained, including it’s 800-pound original bell, while new systems were carefully integrated within existing constraints. This approach allows the space to heat, cool, power, and function like a newly constructed apartment building—without altering the building’s outward form or historic presence.

This $11 million project demonstrates how, in adaptive reuse, MEP systems quietly define how historic buildings behave, enabling modern occupancy while leaving their architectural identity intact.