Office space opens in redeveloped historic building in Greenville’s East Park District

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Designed as executive office space, a 3,517-square-foot redevelopment project by Franklin Real Estate Development has opened at 107 E. Park Ave. in downtown Greenville’s East Park Historic District.

The Franklin features 12 offices ranging from 90 to 225 square feet, a shared break area and conference room. Walls and floors of the 107-year-old structure have been insulated to reduce sound transmission and improve energy efficiency. Leases include utilities, fiber-optic internet service, access to printers and copiers, cleaning services and parking, according to a news release from The Franklin.

Built as a private residence in 1917, The Franklin was converted into office space several years ago. The two-story, columned structure across from Greenville’s McPherson Park is on the National Register of Historic Places, the release stated.

The Franklin is the second historic redevelopment project undertaken by Greenville developer and broker Kurt Wallenborn in the past year. Prosper, a 7,000-square-foot office redevelopment project, opened in February 2023 at 832 Wade Hampton Boulevard in the former McBride Office Supply store.

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Projects like The Franklin and Prosper fueled Wallenborn’s passion for adaptive reuse projects and historic preservation, according to the release. Both projects received historic tax credits, with Prosper’s addition to the National Register of Historic Places expected this spring, the release said.

“The Franklin is a great example of what can be done with old buildings,” Wallenborn said. “These structures are built better than any new construction. The wood is so solid, so tight. This is like a custom house from one hundred years ago. It can’t be replicated today.”

Wallenborn has preserved the structure’s original pine floors. The double hung casement windows were removed and restored then reinstalled.

“Layers and layers of paint were removed, and window weights restored so that all of the windows now open and function properly,” Wallenborn added.

The Franklin engineering, design and building partners include SHLTR Architects, Bluewater Civil Design, Studio Main, Creative Builders, Amy Emery Interior Design, Ivey Communications and Design the Experience. Equity in the project was raised from 33 individual investors through Greenville crowdfunding company Vicinity Capital, with additional financing by United Community Bank, according to the release.

Franklin Real Estate Development is a development, consulting and brokerage firm founded by Kurt Wallenborn, MRED.