The Manheim

Formerly a car wash, this cinder-block structure offered hiding places for illegal activity. The new owner wanted to turn it into a welcoming space for meetings and educational programs.

To improve curb appeal, they constructed new parking lots, an entrance awning and sidelight windows. The new exterior lights provide an understated yet elegant aura of hospitality. A dark gray and black color scheme with orange accents imbues the exterior with richness and vitality. They preserved one piece of the old car wash: the exterior vacuums. This fun conversation piece is a nostalgic reminder of the building’s history.

The refinished interior wood ceiling creates a dramatic and sonically friendly space for visitors, while the polished concrete floors and deep-blue walls promote calmness. An assortment of antique French mansard windows—refurbished as mirrors—work together with the new modern furnishings. Special touches like vintage art and 10-foot-tall, hand-carved 17th-century Spanish stable doors make the space like no other.

Despite acquiring just a single variance and facing multiple challenges, the team achieved their goal of creating a safe, beautiful environment that helped shut down illegal activity on the premises.