McPherson Community Building

TESSERE played a pivotal role in the adaptive reuse and historic preservation of the Community Building, a gathering place for the City of McPherson since 1928. Initiating this transformative project, TESSERE engaged in comprehensive programming to assess needs and expectations. We closely collaborated with five community-based organizations representing diverse interests within the City, aligning their requirements with available building space. Our team worked through floor plans to accommodate each organization, ensuring a blend of functionality and aesthetics. Renovations encompassed the gymnasium and lobby, revitalizing the space for increased facility usage while preserving its historic charm.

The theater underwent a strategic transformation into a versatile community multi-purpose room, fostering a welcoming environment for sports, meetings, and special events. In response to community needs, the theater size was adjusted to accommodate new bathrooms, a commercial kitchen, and additional storage space for event essentials. The redesign of the stage area adhered to the design guidelines of the State Historic Preservation Office, preserving the stage/audience spatial relationship. The project’s attention to historic preservation standards resulted in its acceptance to the National Register of Historic Places and the Register of Historic Kansas Places, rendering it eligible for historic tax credit funding. This adaptive reuse project underscores TESSERE’s commitment to blending modern functionality with historic preservation. 

This project won the Kansas Preservation Alliance 2020 Medallion Award for Excellence.

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