Monroe Street Abbey | Jones Architects Studio

Built in 1929 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Italian Gothic revival-style structure originally housed the First Baptist Church. In 1984 – twelve years after the congregation relocated to a new location – a devastating fire destroyed the roof of the main sanctuary space, which the church had used as an auditorium, and left the interior finishes severely damaged and charred. The building’s future remained uncertain until 1992, when the nonprofit Housing Opportunity Center – led by former Phoenix Mayor and Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard and downtown neighborhood leader Katherine Patry – intervened to salvage the structure from the brink of demolition.

A comprehensive restoration and adaptive reuse design effort, led by Jones Studio and landscape architect Chris Winters & Associates, has retained the building’s historic integrity while integrating modern functionalities. The structure was stabilized with a new steel-and-concrete decking framework needled into the existing shell, and new HVAC, plumbing, electrical, lighting, and fire sprinkler systems were installed in the West Wing.

“As it enters this new phase, the Abbey promises to be a local treasure and a symbol of Phoenix’s resilience,” says Jones Studio Founding Principal Eddie Jones. “Literally rising from the ashes, this project is a testament to the vision and commitment of its guardians, who saw beyond the ruins to envision a space that could once again pulse with life.”

In order to maintain the Abbey’s historic character, its architectural elements were meticulously preserved. Existing doors and windows were salvaged and restored, masonry and plaster were repaired, and the deteriorating interior finishes were thoroughly cleaned. “We made a conscious choice to adopt an approach to preservation that respects the history of the Abbey and reveals the impact of time by leaving areas of the building seemingly untouched and juxtaposing contemporary materials with the historic shell, while stabilizing the building and making it appropriate for contemporary usage,” explains Project Architect Maria Salenger of Jones Studio. Other notable historic aspects of the venue include the recessed rose window in the south wall and the 100-foot-high bell tower.

With its once-interior spaces now open to the sky, the former auditorium has become a courtyard garden, referred to as Katherine’s Garden in honor of Katherine Patry, one of the Abbey’s most dedicated protectors and advocates. Paving is limited to the minimum deemed necessary for performance and access, and decomposed granite completes the ground plane. Native ash trees provide a natural canopy for shade in summer and allow for winter sun. Native and arid-adapted species planted around the perimeter and a simple fountain at the main entry all utilize harvested rainwater, providing a sensory connection to this precious desert resource.

With stage opportunities at the north and south or a central “in-the-round” layout, as well as new A/V and performance lighting infrastructure, the courtyard can accommodate events and performance configurations for up to 600 people. The courtyard is surrounded by multiple levels of adaptive reuse areas, including leasable tenant spaces available to house restaurants, bars, galleries, studios, and offices. New elements – including balconies overlooking the courtyard from the second and third floors, an elevator, stairways, restrooms, and a catering kitchen – create an activated space for visitors and future tenants. The West Wing now also houses a green room for performers and a spacious ballroom with seating for 260 guests.

Conceived as a “cultural garden in a ruin,” the event space is located just steps away from an existing downtown music scene, including venues such as the Orpheum Theatre, the Van Buren, Crescent Ballroom, and the Arizona Federal Theatre.

“We have attempted to tie together the Abbey’s many lives: first as a church, then as a training center, a ruin, and now as a new community gathering space and cultural canvas where the historic and the possible converge,” says former Mayor Goddard. “We hope this elegant building will enhance the vibrant artistic fabric of its neighborhood and our city.”

Architect : JONES STUDIO, Eddie Jones (FAIA), Neal Jones (FAIA), Maria Salenger (AIA), Rob Viergutz (RA), Amie Zemmer (Assoc. AIA), Rob Huff

landscape architect: CHRIS WINTERS ASSOCIATES, Chris Winters, Eric Barrett

Photography: Bill Timmerman 

Website: http://www.billtimmerman.com/contact.html