FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Dec. 17, 2020 - Ohio Valley Bank (OVB) recently opened their newly renovated historic building in Gallipolis, Ohio, where they have been focused on "community first" financial services for over 120 years. Design Collaborative embraced OVB's design intent to breathe life back into this historic structure, integrating modern conveniences and technology while maintaining the historic elements of the building.
In 1896, OVB built an office on the corner of 2nd Avenue and State Street -- the tallest building in Gallia County at the time. OVB has a rich history in serving some of the region's most well-known business and entrepreneurs, including Robert Evans -- the founder of the famous restaurant chain, Bob Evans. Local legend states that Bob Evans and his business partners signed the papers to incorporate Bob Evans Farms on the second floor of the OVB building.
Over the next 120 years, the original OVB building changed hands many times before OVB purchased the building back with the intent to restore it. It would have been easier to tear the building down and start new, but OVB chose to revitalize a key part of Gallipolis history, as well as their own brand's legacy. Design Collaborative joined forces with OVB to restore this historic building.
The 16,000-square-foot newly renovated building houses several offices and an executive's area, a large community board room, and a variety of workspaces. The space includes a kitchen and lounge area, as well as a patio rooftop that connects to the community board room. Design Collaborative retained most of the original red brick exposed throughout the building, embracing the historic architectural materials as part of the modern design. The exterior of the building reflects the styles of the original nineteenth and early twentieth century storefronts, adding to the historic feel downtown. The project is a nod to the building's rich history, while offering modern conveniences for the staff and the community.
OVB's mission is "Community First," and Design Collaborative embraced this mantra with every aspect of the project -- from the graphics to selecting the contractors who worked on the project. Local sub-contractors, graphics manufacturing, and installation were selected to support the community throughout the project.
OVB's investment into revitalizing this corner of the square will serve as a catalyst for downtown revitalization and for other local businesses and the community to engage in downtown Gallipolis.
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About Design Collaborative
Focused on people-first places, Design Collaborative is a national, award-winning, Top 100-ranked architectural, engineering, and interior design firm located in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana, serving clients across education, healthcare, workplace, financial, and community markets across 14 states. Founded in 1992, the firm's mission remains to improve people's worlds through its people, passion, and process. Recently completed projects include: Skyline Tower, ORNL Federal Credit Union's Corporate Office (http://www.designcollaborative.com/projects/ornl-federal-credit-union-corporate-offices/), St. Rita's Medical Center Surgery Center (http://www.designcollaborative.com/projects/st-rita-s-medical-center-surgery-center/), Promenade Park (http://www.designcollaborative.com/design-blog/promenade-park-building-a-community/), and Indiana Wesleyan University's Football Stadium (http://www.designcollaborative.com/projects/indiana-wesleyan-university-football-stadium/). To learn more about Design Collaborative, please visit the website (http://designcollaborative.com).
Contact
Tracey Gould
Director of Business Development & Marketing
