The Witherspoon Building Receives a Preservation Achievement Award

The Witherspoon Building received a 2023 Preservation Achievement Award for preservation that benefits economic development.

Designed by Joseph M. Huston in 1896 as an office and education building for the Presbyterian Church, this beautiful ecclesiastical structure has been adapted into a 186-unit apartment hotel. The historic building now provides furnished rooms and hotel-like service to visitors seeking short-term stays. Left vacant after Wells Fargo rode the last stagecoach out of the building, the Witherspoon has been restored to a central role in the Midtown Village economy, bringing new life to the block in the form of 24 ×7 pedestrian traffic supporting local businesses. Retail space on the ground floor further bolsters activity on the streets surrounding the Witherspoon, with the project activating entrances that were previously not in use. Construction of loft units and careful use of space throughout the 11-story building allowed for the preservation of Huston’s dramatic window design. The restoration of sculptor Alexander Milne Calder’s original carvings and medallions highlight the awe-inspiring façade, despite the renovation and complete makeover of the interior. This project is an excellent example of preservation that spurs economic growth.