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Randy Hardy, president of Everything Green Properties, joins host Carol Morgan on this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. Hardy discusses past historic restoration projects and the challenges of transforming older buildings with a modern touch.
Hardy’s passion for historic restoration began as a hobby but quickly blossomed into a full-time focus. Everything Green Properties, LLC., has worked extensively to revitalize older buildings in downtown Powder Springs, a town where Hardy spent a large part of his younger years.
“I was having a conversation with my wife almost 15 years ago and I said, ‘You know, somebody needs to go downtown and they need to start buying property because there is huge potential in Powder Springs for revitalizing that little town,” said Hardy. ‘I love it, and I’ll never forget.’ She looked at me and she said, ‘Well, maybe that person’s you.’”
Restoration and Revitalization
One of Everything Green Properties’ first projects in downtown Powder Springs was The Event Station, a run-down gas station that Hardy and his team transformed into a small event facility. He purchased the property without a concept but says that the idea for an event space came to him soon after. The event space now offers a convenient, affordable option for private gatherings, business events and more.
“People needed that,” said Hardy. “They needed a lower-cost, beautifully renovated building to have their parties and weddings and all sorts of things.”
Everything Green Properties, LLC., is responsible for several other restoration projects in Powder Springs, including an old barber shop that was successfully revitalized as Liz By Design photography studio and an old bank building that was seamlessly turned into a coffee shop. It also worked on restoring a downtown store, breathing new life into the now Collett Country Store.
Hardy said, “I actually think it’s the jewel of downtown, because it’s in the heart and it’s also one of the oldest buildings anywhere that still has a Coca-Cola sign painted on the side of a wood frame building.”
A recent example of its extensive restoration work can be found at Skint Chestnut Brewing Company and SGC Chicken and Seafood. Hardy bought the property from the DDA with a caved-in roof and restored it into a vibrant business with an outdoor patio and beer garden, that is shared between the two restaurants.
Challenges of Historic Restoration
Hardy recognizes the obstacles that come with historic restoration, which is why he primarily works with businesses to find their ideal fits within buildings that Everything Green Properties, LLC., has already transformed. Many factors influence the process, such as construction codes and meetings with the offices of the Fire Marshall and building officials, which Hardy and his team are pros at navigating.
This approach takes the pressure off business owners wanting to move into an older building and allows Hardy to reinvest in new restoration projects. He emphasizes the importance of working with a knowledgeable team of architects and structural engineers that understand older buildings. The process for restoring and revitalizing them differs greatly from modern buildings. Hardy signs each of his properties with a stamp that includes bringing the outside in– roll up doors and patios. He likes to turn discarded building materials from the restoration into exciting, new features and open up larger buildings with roll-up doors, patios and bigger windows.
Hardy said, “Every single patio we have came from a vertical surface that we cut in and made into a brick patio.”
Sometimes, when an older building is revitalized, there are unique challenges to bringing the building up to modern code regulations. Hardy points out that if a building is not ADA compliant in its current state, he often must install a new door and a ramp, which can take some careful planning. Other challenges include new internal systems including all new plumbing and electrical.
Tune in to the full episode to learn more about Everything Green Properties, LLC. For more information, email Randy Hardy at [email protected] or call 770-542-9015.
About Everything Green Properties, LLC.
Everything Green Properties, LLC., creates new beginnings for historic buildings, whether as a restaurant, event space or retail location. The company uses its extensive knowledge of restoration to balance the original character of a building with modern amenities.
Podcast Thanks
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About Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio
Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it.
