STEVENS & WILKINSON HELPING TO REINVENT THE CIGAR FACTORY

ATLANTA, July 1, 2008 -- Stevens & Wilkinson Stang & Newdow, Inc. has been retained by The Simpson Organization to provide architectural and engineering services for the 125-year-old Cigar Factory in Charleston, SC. Stevens & Wilkinson Principal Ron Stang, AIA, made the announcement.

The Cigar Factory is a Victorian industrial building built in 1882 as the Charleston Cotton Mills. In 1903, the plant was leased to the American Cigar Company which operated the factory until 1973.

Listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places, the Cigar Factory is now being reinvented.

"Preservation and rehabilitation efforts are focusing on restoring the look of the building to its historic appearance while adapting the interior to contemporary usage," said Stang. "This includes demolishing several large modern additions, removing window infill and inappropriate glazing, restoring original window surrounds, and installing new energy-conserving operable windows that replicate historic construction."

Stang added that at ground level, a retail promenade will encourage public interaction as when completed in late 2009, the existing 230,000 square-foot space will consist of 66 residential loft units (featuring 15-foot timber ceilings, open floor plans and sweeping bridge and city views), 30,000 square feet of commercial retail space, and 20,000 square feet of office space.

Stevens & Wilkinson Stang & Newdow, Inc. is a nationally recognized leader in architecture, engineering and interior design that has garnered more than 125 design awards. The firm, established in 1919, has offices in Atlanta and Columbia, SC and employs over 130 design professionals and support staff. Clients include major colleges and universities; large public school systems; Fortune 500 companies, retail corporations and high-tech companies; government agencies; and developers of multi-use, cross-functional private sector and institutional facilities.

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