Monday, October 22, 2012
4 More Restaurants build inside Historic Properties
Freeport, Maine
Credit: Jerry Odum
Adapting the Freeport McDonald's, which serves lobster rolls, was one of the first times the fast-food chain was forced to change its design. Since its opening in 1984, the company has wizened to the issue of appropriateness. McDonald's wouldn't describe these "camouflaged" stores as a trend just yet, however.
"A relatively small percentage of our U.S. restaurants have done this," says company spokesman Bill Whitman. "If an area is part of a historic district, we always work with officials on the restaurant and keep it sensitive to any restrictions," Whitman says. "We want to create a restaurant that enhances the community we serve." Almost a tourist attraction itself, the Freeport McDonald's later added a drive-through to the back of the house and relocated next door to create additional parking spaces.
Another prime example of a chain store fitting into a historic area is the McDonald's located right outside of the Biltmore estate in Asheville, N.C. Touting itself as the "world's classiest McDonald's," the restaurant features a baby grand piano and a gold-leafed fireplace, with food served by employees wearing black vests and bow ties. Built before the area's design ordinances existed, it was just a normal-looking McDonald's until five years ago, when the franchise decided to expand and found it itself in conflict with the local guidelines set by the historic resources commission.
Burger King's 19th-century industrial look in Paterson, N.J.
http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/story-of-the-week/2006/thinking-outside-the-big-box.html
Burger King's 19th-century industrial look in Paterson, N.J.
Credit: Adrian Fine
Tourists in Freeport, Maine, might think, at first glance, the white Greek revival house on the corner is just another historic mansion. Only when they spy the small sign on the front lawn sporting the trademark gold arches will they realize it's actually a McDonald's.
As unusual as it is, it's one of a handful of McDonald's around the country that have altered the traditional design to fit into a historic environment or planned communities surrounding them. As more historic neighborhoods are being revitalized and more cities are issuing design standards for businesses, many franchises have had to learn how to blend in, rather than stand out.
But getting chain stores to give up the flashy looks that make them so identifiable isn't always an easy task.
"The question isn't how many are fitting in but how many are willing to fit in?" says Ronald Lee Fleming, president of Townscape Institute, an urban-planning organization based in Cambridge, Mass.
Back in 1982, when McDonald's eyed the c. 1850s former sea captain's residence in coastal Freeport as the perfect spot for a burger joint, the house wasn't actually part of the picture.
"McDonald's idea was to take the building down; however, there was tremendous resistance, and a group called the 'Mac Attacks' formed and were able to present the argument very effectively that the house shouldn't be demolished," explains Freeport Town Manager Dale Olmstead, adding that the controversy "sparked" the move for Freeport to adopt ordinances that now dictate what businesses can and can't do with their stores.
McDonald Mansion
McDonald Mansion
While Edgehill puts on its finishing touches, the McDonald Mansion in Santa Rosa also nears completion of its own restoration, a more complicated undertaking in many ways because of the house’s history of additions and piecemeal restorations (as well as a significant fire in the 1970s that wiped away much of the original structure).
Nicknamed “Mableton,” the McDonald Mansion was built in 1879 by Colonel Mark L. McDonald, a Kentucky native, and his wife Ralphine North McDonald, who used the Southern-influenced estate as a summer home from San Francisco, where McDonald served on the San Francisco Stock Exchange.
He soon became prominently involved in Santa Rosa, where he bought 160 acres of land to subdivide, known as the “McDonald’s Addition.” Before long, McDonald Avenue became, much as it is today, the premier street in the area, with the McDonald Mansion serving as a showcase and beacon to others wanting their own grand estates.
During his time here, McDonald also brought the first steam railroad to Santa Rosa, operated the Santa Rosa Water Works Company, the area’s first public utility, was instrumental in building the reservoir Lake Ralphine, named for his wife), and enlisted the assistance of Luther Burbank in an extensive tree-planting effort. Many of the trees still on the McDonald estate were planted by Burbank as saplings.
The mansion, on an oversized corner parcel, was designed in an unusual Mississippi plantation style, in tribute to Ralphine McDonald’s childhood home. Oakland’s Rynerson & O’Brien Architecture (which is spearheading the restoration) has termed this a “large-scale adaptation of a so-called raised Southern cottage,” detailing how the typical plan included a single main living level, built or raised over an above-ground basement intended as a precaution in case of flood. The second floor, or attic level, was often left undeveloped.
From the beginning, a wraparound porch, a very Southern feature, went all around the house as well. Another of the building’s signature details is its extensive use of flat sawn and cutout wood ornament, details a Rynerson & O’Brien report on Mableton’s evolution. Examples can be seen in the two-tiered roof cresting and icicle-like trim that outlines the various roof overhangs.
“The use of such repeating flat patterns, and their geometric quality,” the report says, “are particularly characteristic of the Victorian era’s ‘Stick’ and ‘Eastlake’ styles (sometimes called ‘Stick/Eastlake’), which enjoyed nationwide popularity during the post-Civil War era.” However, the use of California redwood in some of the mansion’s ornamentation “makes this house a uniquely American domestic hybrid.”
This, and the fact that Mableton is Santa Rosa’s largest city home—14,000 square feet on 1.8 acres with eight bedrooms, eight and a half bathrooms, a grand, multistory entry hall and so much more—is what brought its current owners to the table and committed to undergoing a full restoration. (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:HEwrCGLq5E8J:www.northbaybiz.com/General_Articles/General_Articles/This_Old_House.php+Victorian+mansion%3F+No,+it's+a+McDonald's&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us)
Lessons in preservation from...McDonald's?
Lessons in preservation from...McDonald's?
By: Shannon Dauphin , Contributing Writer, FROM SCOUTING, NY
In: Historic Preservation, Non Residential Buildings, Old House Musings, Old Houses, House Styles
1
Mention of fast-food giant McDonald’s doesn’t usually conjure up anything remotely akin to historic preservation. In fact, the bright yellow and red colors that seem to grace at least one corner in even the smallest of towns can often bring to mind the question of what was once on that corner — the historic house that was torn down, the old church that met the wrecking ball, or the field that once invited children to play. Now that corner is a fast foodrestaurant, complete with a parking lot, generic landscaping and nothing historical in sight.
A surprise from the Golden Arches
The folks at Scouting NY discovered a surprise in the middle of Long Island — a magnificent Georgian mansion, beautifully restored, that just happens to be a McDonald’s restaurant.
The home was originally constructed as a farmhouse in 1795 by Joseph Denton, who was a descendant of the founder of Hempstead, New York. It got an overhaul in 1860, complete with a Georgian facade. Throughout the 1900’s it was used for various purposes, including upscale restaurants and a funeral home. But by the 1980’s, the mansion had been abandoned and was about to meet the wrecking ball.
McDonald’s bought the property with the intention of tearing it down to build one of their new, shiny, red-and-yellow buildings. But when preservationists stepped in and had the building declared a National Landmark, all plans for tearing it down screeched to a halt. Now what?
McDonald’s now had to adhere to certain rules in order to have their restaurant in the old building. Rather than sell the property, the company decided to restore it to the 1926 appearance. Starting with an old photograph, the company set about creating an absolutely lovely restaurant.
Of course, the inside of the house has been gutted to make way for the requirements of running a restaurant, but the look stays as true to the facade as possible. The vinyl siding might be new, but the fireplace chimneys are definitely restored. The replacement windows look very much like originals from that time period, as do the shutters, but it’s safe to say that they are likely all new. The floors are hardwood instead of the typical McDonald’s tile, and the majestic staircase that leads to an upper dining level keeps the charm of the old house alive. A nice touch is the open ceiling, which gives a glimpse of original wood and handsome beams.
But there is even better news: This isn’t the first McDonald’s that launched in a historic building. This lovely place in Freeport, Maine is complete with fireplaces, real tables (not booths!) and a cozy feel.Other restaurants that want to move into historical areas have seen it fit to make the most out of the buildings that are already there.
The Long Island McDonald’s restaurant apparently does great business without the gaudy exterior. In fact, the only spot of the classic yellow and red is on a small, discreet sign in front of the mansion. It definitely gives the phrase “I’m lovin’ it” a whole new meaning for preservationists.
Is that a mansion? No, it's a McDonald's
Is that a mansion? No, it's a McDonald's
Long Island residents' push for preservation saved a historic house and led McDonald's to design an unusual store.
By Teresa at MSN Real Estate Jun 5, 2012 12:29PM
Many of us have enjoyed a meal in a restaurant that was converted from an old home. But most of those meals didn't include Big Macs or any other fast food.
In New Hyde Park, N.Y., on Long Island, you can eat your McNuggets and fries in splendor, in a mansion that dates to 1795 and has been converted to one of the nation's most attractive McDonald's restaurants.
The architectural gem was spotted by Nick Carr, a film location scout who posted a number of interior and exterior photos on his blog, Scouting NY.
Creative preservation
He also tracked down the story:
Known as the Denton House, its bones date back to 1795, when it was constructed as a farm house by one Joseph Denton, a descendent of the founder of the village of Hempstead. In 1860, it was given a Georgian makeover, complete with gingerbread ornamentation, and throughout the 1900s, found commercial use as a funeral home and a series of restaurants.
By 1986, the building was abandoned and in bad shape. When McDonald's bought the property, the restaurant owner intended to tear the building down and build a traditional McDonald's restaurant. But citizens got the building declared a historic landmark.
Based on an old photo, McDonald's restored the home to the way it looked in 1926.
The inside of the house was gutted, and Carr was less impressed with the results. Still, from his photos I can see it looks more interesting inside than a typical fast-food restaurant. Yes, it has a drive-through.
• Seeking to preserve a modern classic
While a fast-food restaurant inside a historic home is unusual, it's not unheard of. In urban areas around the world, restaurant chains have had to adopt their traditional design to fit into historic buildings. The Guardian newspaper has 10 photos of fast-food restaurants in unusual buildings, including McDonald's outposts in Ireland, Portugal and Poland.
Have you ever seen a fast-food restaurant in a repurposed old building? Was the
atmosphere nicer?
Tags: celebrity
< Back to Listed
Mike Levy (Mike_Levy)
Jun 23, 2012 7:55PM
I've been to this McDonalds. I pass it all the time. Its nicer then a normal McDonalds, but most stuff also costs more. Guess you gotta pay for the ambiance. Tearing it down would be a mistake, regardless.
• 0 0
• Replies (0)
ALLISON ROSALIE CLARK (MJCCOOKER)
Jun 23, 2012 7:52PM
YES.....IN AMSTERDAM , HOLLAND IN THE 70'S . THE McDONALD'S WAS IN AN OLD HISTORIC FIRE STATION AND IT WAS UPSTAIRS. IT TOOK UP THE TOP FLOOR OFTHE BUILDING AND THE FIRST FLOOR WAS A MUSEUM, AS I RECALL. IT WAS EXTREMELY CROWDED UP THERE AS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE CRAMMED THEMSELVES UP THERE TO GET A TASTE OF A 'BIG MAC'. IT WAS QUAINT TO SAY THE LEAST !
• 1 0
• Replies (0)
Wyndi13
Jun 23, 2012 12:57PM
Have I ever seen one? Yep, I have. Two that I specifically remember and are still there. One is in the old cite` of Quebec, you'll have to look hard for those "Golden Arches". Oh, and by the way, they serve Poutine, the Quebec 'national' dish! The second one is in Freeport, Maine, as you head out of the HUGE shopping area, away from the highway. It's on the lft, on a corner. I don't remmber if it has a drive-through, as I drive a 45ft commercial charter motorcoach, so drive-throughs aren't exactly on my list of things to do! It's in an old, restored house. The inside is very different from a traditional McD's, with nice seating and attentive staff.
• 6 2
• Replies (0)
colleton
Jun 23, 2012 8:48AM
Well...no matter what you think of Mcdonalds i'm glad to see an effort made to preserve old and historically precious buildings and architecture. If the coporate world would make more of an effort to restore and revitalize existing buildings rather than construct bland clones over and over again this nation would actually preserve some of it's former character,the type character that we are losing everyday to box buildings that have absolutely nothing to offer visualy or culturally at all. I realize many times renovations are not as cost effecient as new construction...but when it's cost feasible to revitalize existing structures,over demolition and construction of some banal nightmare of cinder block and steel i think every effort should be made to do so. I never thought i'd say this. LOL ...but Thank you Mcdonalds for not erecting yet another lifeless testament to our epidemic loss of class and culture!
More
• 24 2
• Replies (0)
Devilboy_chris
Jun 23, 2012 8:45AM
It is a pretty house. I am glad to see someone was able to preserve it. They don't build them like that any more without a LOT of money.
• 25 2
• Replies (1)
Locations where fast food restaurants have been successfully built inside historic preservation properties
Locations where fast food restaurants have been successfully built inside historic preservation properties:
1. Scouting, NY – McDonald’s.
2. Freeport, Maine – McDonald’s.
3. Hyde Park, NY – McDonald’s.
4. Quebec, Canada – McDonald’s.
5. A McDonald's in what used to be the Café Imperial in Porto, Portugal - http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2012/mar/20/fast-food-restaurants-10-unusual-buildings-in-pictures#/?picture=387396040&index=4.
6. Asheville, N.C. - touting itself as the "world's classiest McDonald's."
7. Paterson, N.J. - Burger King.
8. Philadelphia, PA - Banana Republic.
9. Miami, FL - Banana Republic.
10. San Francisco, CA - Banana Republic.
11. New Orleans, LA - historic district Wal-Mart moved into the St. Thomas store is styled after a 19th-century warehouse with brick masonry, historic light fixtures, and unlike its typical large parking lot, there are five smaller separate parking areas.
12. Old Town Hall of Bray in Co Wicklow, Ireland – McDonald’s http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2012/mar/20/fast-food-restaurants-10-unusual-buildings-in-pictures#/?picture=387396048&index=2
13. AMSTERDAM , HOLLAND IN THE 70'S - McDONALD'S
14. Pret a Manger is the latest in a long line of tenants at 421 Strand, London: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2012/mar/20/fast-food-restaurants-10-unusual-buildings-in-pictures#/?picture=387396050&index=8
15. Starbucks in the Persian area of the Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai - http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2012/mar/20/fast-food-restaurants-10-unusual-buildings-in-pictures#/?picture=387396059&index=9
Maybe list:
Starbucks in China: Joining the crowds at Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar in Shanghai, China, you'll have to look carefully for the branch of Starbucks (I’m not sure if this is historic preservation or not, based on the picture): http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2012/mar/20/fast-food-restaurants-10-unusual-buildings-in-pictures#/?picture=387396054&index=7
Is that a mansion? No, it's a McDonald's
Long Island residents' push for preservation saved a historic house and led McDonald's to design an unusual store.
By Teresa at MSN Real Estate Jun 5, 2012 12:29PM
Many of us have enjoyed a meal in a restaurant that was converted from an old home. But most of those meals didn't include Big Macs or any other fast food.
In New Hyde Park, N.Y., on Long Island, you can eat your McNuggets and fries in splendor, in a mansion that dates to 1795 and has been converted to one of the nation's most attractive McDonald's restaurants.
The architectural gem was spotted by Nick Carr, a film location scout who posted a number of interior and exterior photos on his blog, Scouting NY.
Creative preservation
He also tracked down the story:
Known as the Denton House, its bones date back to 1795, when it was constructed as a farm house by one Joseph Denton, a descendent of the founder of the village of Hempstead. In 1860, it was given a Georgian makeover, complete with gingerbread ornamentation, and throughout the 1900s, found commercial use as a funeral home and a series of restaurants.
By 1986, the building was abandoned and in bad shape. When McDonald's bought the property, the restaurant owner intended to tear the building down and build a traditional McDonald's restaurant. But citizens got the building declared a historic landmark.
Based on an old photo, McDonald's restored the home to the way it looked in 1926.
The inside of the house was gutted, and Carr was less impressed with the results. Still, from his photos I can see it looks more interesting inside than a typical fast-food restaurant. Yes, it has a drive-through.
• Seeking to preserve a modern classic
While a fast-food restaurant inside a historic home is unusual, it's not unheard of. In urban areas around the world, restaurant chains have had to adopt their traditional design to fit into historic buildings. The Guardian newspaper has 10 photos of fast-food restaurants in unusual buildings, including McDonald's outposts in Ireland, Portugal and Poland.
Have you ever seen a fast-food restaurant in a repurposed old building? Was the
atmosphere nicer?
Tags: celebrity
< Back to Listed
Mike Levy (Mike_Levy)
Jun 23, 2012 7:55PM
I've been to this McDonalds. I pass it all the time. Its nicer then a normal McDonalds, but most stuff also costs more. Guess you gotta pay for the ambiance. Tearing it down would be a mistake, regardless.
• 0 0
• Replies (0)
ALLISON ROSALIE CLARK (MJCCOOKER)
Jun 23, 2012 7:52PM
YES.....IN AMSTERDAM , HOLLAND IN THE 70'S . THE McDONALD'S WAS IN AN OLD HISTORIC FIRE STATION AND IT WAS UPSTAIRS. IT TOOK UP THE TOP FLOOR OFTHE BUILDING AND THE FIRST FLOOR WAS A MUSEUM, AS I RECALL. IT WAS EXTREMELY CROWDED UP THERE AS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE CRAMMED THEMSELVES UP THERE TO GET A TASTE OF A 'BIG MAC'. IT WAS QUAINT TO SAY THE LEAST !
• 1 0
• Replies (0)
Wyndi13
Jun 23, 2012 12:57PM
Have I ever seen one? Yep, I have. Two that I specifically remember and are still there. One is in the old cite` of Quebec, you'll have to look hard for those "Golden Arches". Oh, and by the way, they serve Poutine, the Quebec 'national' dish! The second one is in Freeport, Maine, as you head out of the HUGE shopping area, away from the highway. It's on the lft, on a corner. I don't remmber if it has a drive-through, as I drive a 45ft commercial charter motorcoach, so drive-throughs aren't exactly on my list of things to do! It's in an old, restored house. The inside is very different from a traditional McD's, with nice seating and attentive staff.
• 6 2
• Replies (0)
colleton
Jun 23, 2012 8:48AM
Well...no matter what you think of Mcdonalds i'm glad to see an effort made to preserve old and historically precious buildings and architecture. If the coporate world would make more of an effort to restore and revitalize existing buildings rather than construct bland clones over and over again this nation would actually preserve some of it's former character,the type character that we are losing everyday to box buildings that have absolutely nothing to offer visualy or culturally at all. I realize many times renovations are not as cost effecient as new construction...but when it's cost feasible to revitalize existing structures,over demolition and construction of some banal nightmare of cinder block and steel i think every effort should be made to do so. I never thought i'd say this. LOL ...but Thank you Mcdonalds for not erecting yet another lifeless testament to our epidemic loss of class and culture!
More
• 24 2
• Replies (0)
Devilboy_chris
Jun 23, 2012 8:45AM
It is a pretty house. I am glad to see someone was able to preserve it. They don't build them like that any more without a LOT of money.
• 25 2
• Replies (1)
Lessons in preservation from...McDonald's?
By: Shannon Dauphin , Contributing Writer, FROM SCOUTING, NY
In: Historic Preservation, Non Residential Buildings, Old House Musings, Old Houses, House Styles
1
Mention of fast-food giant McDonald’s doesn’t usually conjure up anything remotely akin to historic preservation. In fact, the bright yellow and red colors that seem to grace at least one corner in even the smallest of towns can often bring to mind the question of what was once on that corner — the historic house that was torn down, the old church that met the wrecking ball, or the field that once invited children to play. Now that corner is a fast foodrestaurant, complete with a parking lot, generic landscaping and nothing historical in sight.
A surprise from the Golden Arches
The folks at Scouting NY discovered a surprise in the middle of Long Island — a magnificent Georgian mansion, beautifully restored, that just happens to be a McDonald’s restaurant.
The home was originally constructed as a farmhouse in 1795 by Joseph Denton, who was a descendant of the founder of Hempstead, New York. It got an overhaul in 1860, complete with a Georgian facade. Throughout the 1900’s it was used for various purposes, including upscale restaurants and a funeral home. But by the 1980’s, the mansion had been abandoned and was about to meet the wrecking ball.
McDonald’s bought the property with the intention of tearing it down to build one of their new, shiny, red-and-yellow buildings. But when preservationists stepped in and had the building declared a National Landmark, all plans for tearing it down screeched to a halt. Now what?
McDonald’s now had to adhere to certain rules in order to have their restaurant in the old building. Rather than sell the property, the company decided to restore it to the 1926 appearance. Starting with an old photograph, the company set about creating an absolutely lovely restaurant.
Of course, the inside of the house has been gutted to make way for the requirements of running a restaurant, but the look stays as true to the facade as possible. The vinyl siding might be new, but the fireplace chimneys are definitely restored. The replacement windows look very much like originals from that time period, as do the shutters, but it’s safe to say that they are likely all new. The floors are hardwood instead of the typical McDonald’s tile, and the majestic staircase that leads to an upper dining level keeps the charm of the old house alive. A nice touch is the open ceiling, which gives a glimpse of original wood and handsome beams.
But there is even better news: This isn’t the first McDonald’s that launched in a historic building. This lovely place in Freeport, Maine is complete with fireplaces, real tables (not booths!) and a cozy feel.Other restaurants that want to move into historical areas have seen it fit to make the most out of the buildings that are already there.
The Long Island McDonald’s restaurant apparently does great business without the gaudy exterior. In fact, the only spot of the classic yellow and red is on a small, discreet sign in front of the mansion. It definitely gives the phrase “I’m lovin’ it” a whole new meaning for preservationists.
cDonald Mansion
While Edgehill puts on its finishing touches, the McDonald Mansion in Santa Rosa also nears completion of its own restoration, a more complicated undertaking in many ways because of the house’s history of additions and piecemeal restorations (as well as a significant fire in the 1970s that wiped away much of the original structure).
Nicknamed “Mableton,” the McDonald Mansion was built in 1879 by Colonel Mark L. McDonald, a Kentucky native, and his wife Ralphine North McDonald, who used the Southern-influenced estate as a summer home from San Francisco, where McDonald served on the San Francisco Stock Exchange.
He soon became prominently involved in Santa Rosa, where he bought 160 acres of land to subdivide, known as the “McDonald’s Addition.” Before long, McDonald Avenue became, much as it is today, the premier street in the area, with the McDonald Mansion serving as a showcase and beacon to others wanting their own grand estates.
During his time here, McDonald also brought the first steam railroad to Santa Rosa, operated the Santa Rosa Water Works Company, the area’s first public utility (also building the reservoir Lake Ralphine, named for his wife), and enlisted the assistance of Luther Burbank in an extensive tree-planting effort. Many of the trees still on the McDonald estate were planted by Burbank as saplings.
The mansion, on an oversized corner parcel, was designed in an unusual Mississippi plantation style, in tribute to Ralphine McDonald’s childhood home. Oakland’s Rynerson & O’Brien Architecture (which is spearheading the restoration) has termed this a “large-scale adaptation of a so-called raised Southern cottage,” detailing how the typical plan included a single main living level, built or raised over an above-ground basement intended as a precaution in case of flood. The second floor, or attic level, was often left undeveloped.
From the beginning, a wraparound porch, a very Southern feature, went all around the house as well. Another of the building’s signature details is its extensive use of flat sawn and cutout wood ornament, details a Rynerson & O’Brien report on Mableton’s evolution. Examples can be seen in the two-tiered roof cresting and icicle-like trim that outlines the various roof overhangs.
“The use of such repeating flat patterns, and their geometric quality,” the report says, “are particularly characteristic of the Victorian era’s ‘Stick’ and ‘Eastlake’ styles (sometimes called ‘Stick/Eastlake’), which enjoyed nationwide popularity during the post-Civil War era.” However, the use of California redwood in some of the mansion’s ornamentation “makes this house a uniquely American domestic hybrid.”
This, and the fact that Mableton is Santa Rosa’s largest city home—14,000 square feet on 1.8 acres with eight bedrooms, eight and a half bathrooms, a grand, multistory entry hall and so much more—is what brought its current owners to the table and committed to undergoing a full restoration. (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:HEwrCGLq5E8J:www.northbaybiz.com/General_Articles/General_Articles/This_Old_House.php+Victorian+mansion%3F+No,+it's+a+McDonald's&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us)
Thinking Outside the Big Box
Some chain stores break free from their typical design to fit into historic neighborhoods.
By Meghan Hogan | Online Only | July 7, 2006
Burger King's 19th-century industrial look in Paterson, N.J.
Credit: Adrian Fine
Tourists in Freeport, Maine, might think, at first glance, the white Greek revival house on the corner is just another historic mansion. Only when they spy the small sign on the front lawn sporting the trademark gold arches will they realize it's actually a McDonald's.
As unusual as it is, it's one of a handful of McDonald's around the country that have altered the traditional design to fit into a historic environment or planned communities surrounding them. As more historic neighborhoods are being revitalized and more cities are issuing design standards for businesses, many franchises have had to learn how to blend in, rather than stand out.
But getting chain stores to give up the flashy looks that make them so identifiable isn't always an easy task.
"The question isn't how many are fitting in but how many are willing to fit in?" says Ronald Lee Fleming, president of Townscape Institute, an urban-planning organization based in Cambridge, Mass.
Back in 1982, when McDonald's eyed the c. 1850s former sea captain's residence in coastal Freeport as the perfect spot for a burger joint, the house wasn't actually part of the picture.
"McDonald's idea was to take the building down; however, there was tremendous resistance, and a group called the 'Mac Attacks' formed and were able to present the argument very effectively that the house shouldn't be demolished," explains Freeport Town Manager Dale Olmstead, adding that the controversy "sparked" the move for Freeport to adopt ordinances that now dictate what businesses can and can't do with their stores.
Freeport, Maine
Credit: Jerry Odum
Adapting the Freeport McDonald's, which serves lobster rolls, was one of the first times the fast-food chain was forced to change its design. Since its opening in 1984, the company has wizened to the issue of appropriateness. McDonald's wouldn't describe these "camouflaged" stores as a trend just yet, however.
"A relatively small percentage of our U.S. restaurants have done this," says company spokesman Bill Whitman. "If an area is part of a historic district, we always work with officials on the restaurant and keep it sensitive to any restrictions," Whitman says. "We want to create a restaurant that enhances the community we serve." Almost a tourist attraction itself, the Freeport McDonald's later added a drive-through to the back of the house and relocated the house next door to create additional parking spaces.
Another prime example of a chain store fitting into a historic area is the McDonald's located right outside of the Biltmore estate in Asheville, N.C. Touting itself as the "world's classiest McDonald's," the restaurant features a baby grand piano and a gold-leafed fireplace, with food served by employees wearing black vests and bow ties. Built before the area's design ordinances existed, it was just a normal-looking McDonald's until five years ago, when the franchise decided to expand and found it itself in conflict with the local guidelines set by the historic resources commission.
The "world's classiest McDonald's," Asheville, N.C.
Credit: Adrian Fine
According to architect Robert Griffin of Asheville-based Griffin Architects, P.A., McDonald's unsuccessfully tried twice to renovate the restaurant with its usual cookie-cutter design before visiting his firm. "We were able to convince them they were really not going to be competing with other fast-food franchises but with Biltmore itself, and the more they looked like and felt like they were already on the grounds of the estate, the more they would be perceived as part of that whole period."
Griffin, who designed the building's exterior, says its unusual appearance has attracted extra customers, adding that he received a phone call from a couple who drove 45 miles to check out the place even though they "didn't agree in principle" with fast-food chains and had never eaten at one.
Burger King, too, has renovated and moved into historic structures like a former industrial building in Paterson, N.J., and an art nouveau theater in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1999, the National Trust gave Banana Republic a National Preservation Honor Award for transforming many historic buildings in cities like Philadelphia, Miami, and San Francisco into clothing stores.
Many preservationists' immediate impulse, upon hearing of a new chain store moving in, is to try to keep the store out (the National Trust's Web site provides a list of cities that successfully stopped drugstores from moving in and destroying the historic integrity of neighborhoods). But Burger King and McDonald's are examples of how chain stores, notorious for sprawl and gaudy design, can be successful even without their typical signage. So why don't more chain stores choose this route?
Often, they don't have to. The key to making sure chain stores don't take over older areas is design ordinances, says Fleming, something he says many communities still don't have. "Towns are getting more sophisticated about their 40- to 50-year-old neighborhoods and are becoming concerned about the issue."
As for why towns don't push more for design standards, money can be a factor. "Lots of planners want to do the right thing, but city councils often feel any loss of the tax base is too much to handle," Fleming says.
The good news is that smaller franchises will often compromise on their store design if they like the location enough and there is enough pressure to alter it. However, bigger chains, wanting to spread out with their super stores, are often more reluctant to change. A large-scale example of this is Vermont, which has had to fight Wal-Mart repeatedly to keep the mega-store out of its Main Street towns. (The state has appeared on the National Trust's 11 Most Endangered List.)
In an effort to make the super size stores fit in, a new bill is being proposed which, if passed, will limit big-box stores to a maximum store size of 50,000 square feet.
"Some Vermont communities have already taken steps at imposing size caps upon stores, but without this bill, Wal-Mart or other big boxes can just move to another town," says Steve Holmes, sustainable communities director for the Vermont Natural Resources Council.
Despite the challenges of convincing a super-chain to fit in, it has happened. Last year, with a considerable amount of controversy, a Wal-Mart moved into a New Orleans historic district, changing their store design at the suggestion of city planners. Instead of their standard big-box construction, the St. Thomas store is styled after a 19th-century warehouse with brick masonry, historic light fixtures, and unlike its typical large parking lot, there are five smaller separate parking areas. (Nonetheless, Wal-Mart demolished a 19th-century housing development to make way for its "neighborhood-friendly" store.) Read more >>
While still unusual, the growing trend of chain stores camouflaging themselves to fit in is a positive step for both preservation and architecture. For some people who live and work around these adapted stores, the streetscape is simply a little nicer.
This story was originally published on Preservation Online on July 15, 2005.
Article I. Thinking Outside the Big Box
Article II. Some chain stores break free from their typical design to fit into historic neighborhoods.
By Meghan Hogan | Online Only | July 7, 2006
Burger King's 19th-century industrial look in Paterson, N.J.
Credit: Adrian Fine
Tourists in Freeport, Maine, might think, at first glance, the white Greek revival house on the corner is just another historic mansion. Only when they spy the small sign on the front lawn sporting the trademark gold arches will they realize it's actually a McDonald's.
As unusual as it is, it's one of a handful of McDonald's around the country that have altered the traditional design to fit into a historic environment or planned communities surrounding them. As more historic neighborhoods are being revitalized and more cities are issuing design standards for businesses, many franchises have had to learn how to blend in, rather than stand out.
But getting chain stores to give up the flashy looks that make them so identifiable isn't always an easy task.
"The question isn't how many are fitting in but how many are willing to fit in?" says Ronald Lee Fleming, president of Townscape Institute, an urban-planning organization based in Cambridge, Mass.
Back in 1982, when McDonald's eyed the c. 1850s former sea captain's residence in coastal Freeport as the perfect spot for a burger joint, the house wasn't actually part of the picture.
"McDonald's idea was to take the building down; however, there was tremendous resistance, and a group called the 'Mac Attacks' formed and were able to present the argument very effectively that the house shouldn't be demolished," explains Freeport Town Manager Dale Olmstead, adding that the controversy "sparked" the move for Freeport to adopt ordinances that now dictate what businesses can and can't do with their stores.
Freeport, Maine
Credit: Jerry Odum
Adapting the Freeport McDonald's, which serves lobster rolls, was one of the first times the fast-food chain was forced to change its design. Since its opening in 1984, the company has wizened to the issue of appropriateness. McDonald's wouldn't describe these "camouflaged" stores as a trend just yet, however.
"A relatively small percentage of our U.S. restaurants have done this," says company spokesman Bill Whitman. "If an area is part of a historic district, we always work with officials on the restaurant and keep it sensitive to any restrictions," Whitman says. "We want to create a restaurant that enhances the community we serve." Almost a tourist attraction itself, the Freeport McDonald's later added a drive-through to the back of the house and relocated the house next door to create additional parking spaces.
(THIS APPLIES TO RIDGE ROAD: Another prime example of a chain store fitting into a historic area is the McDonald's located right outside of the Biltmore estate in Asheville, N.C. Touting itself as the "world's classiest McDonald's," the restaurant features a baby grand piano and a gold-leafed fireplace, with food served by employees wearing black vests and bow ties. Built before the area's design ordinances existed, it was just a normal-looking McDonald's until five years ago, when the franchise decided to expand and found it itself in conflict with the local guidelines set by the historic resources commission.)
The "world's classiest McDonald's," Asheville, N.C.
Credit: Adrian Fine
According to architect Robert Griffin of Asheville-based Griffin Architects, P.A., McDonald's unsuccessfully tried twice to renovate the restaurant with its usual cookie-cutter design before visiting his firm. "We were able to convince them they were really not going to be competing with other fast-food franchises but with Biltmore itself, and the more they looked like and felt like they were already on the grounds of the estate, the more they would be perceived as part of that whole period."
Griffin, who designed the building's exterior, says its unusual appearance has attracted extra customers, adding that he received a phone call from a couple who drove 45 miles to check out the place even though they "didn't agree in principle" with fast-food chains and had never eaten at one.
Burger King, too, has renovated and moved into historic structures like a former industrial building in Paterson, N.J., and an art nouveau theater in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1999, the National Trust gave Banana Republic a National Preservation Honor Award for transforming many historic buildings in cities like Philadelphia, Miami, and San Francisco into clothing stores.
Many preservationists' immediate impulse, upon hearing of a new chain store moving in, is to try to keep the store out (the National Trust's Web site provides a list of cities that successfully stopped drugstores from moving in and destroying the historic integrity of neighborhoods). But Burger King and McDonald's are examples of how chain stores, notorious for sprawl and gaudy design, can be successful even without their typical signage. So why don't more chain stores choose this route?
Often, they don't have to. The key to making sure chain stores don't take over older areas is design ordinances, says Fleming, something he says many communities still don't have. "Towns are getting more sophisticated about their 40- to 50-year-old neighborhoods and are becoming concerned about the issue."
As for why towns don't push more for design standards, money can be a factor. "Lots of planners want to do the right thing, but city councils often feel any loss of the tax base is too much to handle," Fleming says.
The good news is that smaller franchises will often compromise on their store design if they like the location enough and there is enough pressure to alter it. However, bigger chains, wanting to spread out with their super stores, are often more reluctant to change. A large-scale example of this is Vermont, which has had to fight Wal-Mart repeatedly to keep the mega-store out of its Main Street towns. (The state has appeared on the National Trust's 11 Most Endangered List.)
In an effort to make the super size stores fit in, a new bill is being proposed which, if passed, will limit big-box stores to a maximum store size of 50,000 square feet.
"Some Vermont communities have already taken steps at imposing size caps upon stores, but without this bill, Wal-Mart or other big boxes can just move to another town," says Steve Holmes, sustainable communities director for the Vermont Natural Resources Council.
Despite the challenges of convincing a super-chain to fit in, it has happened. Last year, with a considerable amount of controversy, a Wal-Mart moved into a New Orleans historic district, changing their store design at the suggestion of city planners. Instead of their standard big-box construction, the St. Thomas store is styled after a 19th-century warehouse with brick masonry, historic light fixtures, and unlike its typical large parking lot, there are five smaller separate parking areas. (Nonetheless, Wal-Mart demolished a 19th-century housing development to make way for its "neighborhood-friendly" store.) Read more >>
While still unusual, the growing trend of chain stores camouflaging themselves to fit in is a positive step for both preservation and architecture. For some people who live and work around these adapted stores, the streetscape is simply a little nicer.
This story was originally published on Preservation Online on July 15, 2005.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)